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?

6/11 - 2 Corinthians 11

This is one of those chapters, for me, that's a bit tougher to glean an applicable life lesson from. At least at first. The chapter is so personal and seems like it should be left between Paul and the Corinthians. Paul spends this chapter, in a tirade of sarcasm, defending his apostolic credentials to the Corinthians who have been quick to follow false preachers and discredit Paul. He points out how he never has taken money from them, wasn't a burden to them while he was there, and only preached to them the gospel of Christ - all unlike the false apostles they had bought into. He tries to convince them, through his sarcastic boasting, that all the worldly qualifications of him and the false prophets are really meaningless and that the only boast even worth mentioning is that which likens him to Christ - the suffering and sacrifice (v. 30).

For me, the takeaway is that following any man is foolish and if we do look up to others spiritually, it should be looking for the Christlike characteristics in them, not the people themselves.

"¹³For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (v. 13-15)

So in a time where pastors are so highly regarded (I mean regarded higher than they ought to be) and when many Christians have turned their ears to a doctrine that falls easy on their ears (2 Timothy 4:3-5), I believe it's absolutely essential that we pray and be careful not to be deceived. We don't need to fear Satan but it would be wise not to underestimate his craftiness, especially when he's using people in the church as he did in Corinth.