I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But 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. That 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.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
As Paul begins chapter 12 of this letter to the first-century church at Corinth, he talks more about his personal experience with being an apostle of Jesus Christ. Before this, in 2 Corinthians 11:30 he wrote, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” He continues that theme of boasting here, emphasizing that he will only boast about his own weaknesses and how those will display God’s power.
Paul begins in verse 1 with a seemingly reluctant statement about boasting. Previously, he defended his ministry by reluctantly comparing his sufferings and challenges with those of the so-called “super-apostles” in Corinth. Here, Paul explains that his boasting is not about himself but rather about the extraordinary revelations he received from God. The hesitance in his tone—“there is nothing to be gained”—indicates his discomfort in boasting but also a necessity to clarify the nature of his ministry and relationship with God.
In verse 2, Paul uses a rhetorical device, referring to himself in the third person as “a man in Christ.” The evidence points to this being Paul’s own experience, rather than one relayed to him by someone else. Fourteen years prior, Paul experienced an encounter so extraordinary that he’s unsure if it was physical or purely spiritual. The “third heaven” in Jewish cosmology represents the dwelling place of God, beyond the earthly sky and celestial realms. Paul’s admission of uncertainty about the nature of this experience highlights the mystery and reverence surrounding divine encounters, which can sometimes be beyond our comprehension.
In verses 3-4, Paul reiterates his earlier uncertainty, emphasizing that only God understands the full nature of his experience. This repetition underscores his humility; he’s not claiming special knowledge or power due to his vision. Paul shows that even the most profound revelations don’t necessarily bring clarity but may deepen our awe and dependence on God. He reveals that he was transported to “paradise”—a term often synonymous with heaven or the afterlife in early Christian and Jewish thought. Here, Paul encountered “inexpressible things,” secrets that he is “not permitted to tell.” This phrase shows that Paul’s revelation was deeply personal and sacred, meant for his understanding rather than public proclamation. It’s a reminder that some spiritual experiences are intended to strengthen our private relationship with God, not for display or status.
Paul draws a line between himself as a mere vessel of God’s revelation and the extraordinary experience he had in verse 5. While he can boast about this encounter, he chooses only to “boast” in his weaknesses. This counter-cultural approach to boasting is one of Paul’s hallmarks. Instead of flaunting his visions, he elevates his vulnerabilities. He shifts the focus from his spiritual achievements to his need for God’s grace.
Paul acknowledges in verse 6 that if he wanted to boast about his experience, it wouldn’t be irrational since he’d be telling the truth. However, he refrains to prevent anyone from elevating him above others. Paul’s humility here serves as a model, reminding us that spiritual gifts and experiences are not for personal elevation but are given by God to fulfill His purposes. Paul’s desire is that people see him as he truly is—a servant of God, not a spiritual celebrity.
In verse 7, Paul introduces the concept of a “thorn in the flesh,” a phrase that has intrigued theologians and readers for centuries. No one has conclusively determined what this “thorn” is, other than that it is something painful and persistent. It was possibly a physical ailment, psychological burden, or even a spiritual struggle. Paul sees it as a “messenger of Satan,” a source of suffering allowed by God to keep him humble. This painful reminder prevents him from boasting about his revelations, teaching him dependence on God instead of his own strength.
Paul’s response to his suffering is prayer (verse 8). Three times he asks God to remove this thorn, mirroring Jesus’ own three pleas in the Garden of Gethsemane. Despite his persistence, God’s answer is not to remove the suffering but to redefine its purpose. Paul’s unanswered prayer resonates with anyone who has experienced suffering and prayed for relief. God’s response isn’t always to take away our struggles but to help us see them through a new lens.
In one of the most powerful verses in the New Testament, God answers Paul’s prayer with a profound statement in verse 9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Rather than removing Paul’s affliction, God provides grace, the strength to endure it. God’s power “made perfect in weakness” reveals a paradox: human limitations become the avenue for divine strength. This shift in perspective transforms Paul’s view of his own struggles, allowing him to embrace his weaknesses, for in them, God’s strength is most evident.
Paul concludes in verse 10 with a remarkable statement: he “delights” in his weaknesses and hardships. This isn’t because he enjoys suffering but because he has discovered that through these trials, he encounters the strength of Christ. When he is at his lowest, most vulnerable point, God’s power is most evident in him. This verse encapsulates a radical way of viewing life’s challenges, where weaknesses are not merely to be endured but are opportunities for Christ to reveal His strength within us.
Paul’s experience reminds us that suffering, while painful, is not without purpose. God’s grace doesn’t always eliminate our struggles, but it gives us the strength to persevere through them. In our weaknesses, God’s strength is revealed, and we learn to lean on Him in ways we might never have if life were easy.
As we face our own “thorns in the flesh” – whether physical challenges, emotional struggles, or spiritual battles – let’s remember that God’s grace is sufficient. His power is perfected in our weaknesses, and through them, we can find a deeper relationship with Him, grounded in trust, humility, and resilience. So, like Paul, let’s boast in our weaknesses, knowing that “when we are weak, then we are strong” through the unfailing power of Christ.
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