6/15/09 - 2 Corinthians 12

Paul begins this chapter continuing to explain the boasting from the previous chapters, some of which he'd continue in this chapter. His boasts were primarily about establishing himself as a legitimate apostles so his ministry to them would not be in vain. He asked them to consider his example while he was with them - how he took no money from them, walked as he talked, and built them up with strong doctrine. He also boasted of his persecutions (2 Cor 11:7-9, 23-28).

In verses 2-5, Paul discusses a "man in Christ" who, in body or in spirit, was called up to the third heaven and heard "inexpressible words which it is not lawful for a man to utter." Paul then says that of this man he will boast but not of himself, except for his infirmities. OK, now this section raises a lot of questions for me and admittedly is very confusing. What is this third heaven? Who is this man in Christ? Why does Paul insist on boasting in his infirmities? Why boast at all? The study notes in my Bible provide some insight on the third heaven and the "man in Christ." The third heaven is what we know as the regular heaven we always talk about with the first two heavens being earth's atmosphere and outer space. The "man in Christ," according to the notes, is Paul referring to himself in the third person. I'm not sure I buy that, but it really doesn't add or subtract anything from the scripture.

So why does Paul need to boast in his infirmities? I think my problem with these last couple chapters has been wondering why Paul spends so much time boasting at all. Isn't he supposed to be humble? I took a look at the word boast in Greek [kauchaomai], as used here: "to glory, joy, rejoice." So it's not the selfish boasting I thought it was, but rather rejoicing and finding joy in certain things. I actually felt a lot better finding this out because I was getting annoyed by it all and wasn't really sure if that's an appropriate response to what we consider the Word of God.

Finally, Paul makes it clear to us why he boasts, and especially in persecution:

"⁷To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Now there's much speculation as to what this "thorn" was (false apostles, demons, an actual thorn, etc) but regardless, the point is still the same - the weaker I am, the stronger God can be in my life. So how could you not rejoice in hard times?