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The Text
The Vision of Paradise
v1
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast1. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
v2
I know a man2 in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows3.
v3
I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows),
v4
how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable4 words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
v5
On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
v6
For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me or hears from me.
A Thorn in the Flesh
v7
By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations5, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
v8
Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
v9
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
v10
Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
v11
I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.
v12
Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
v13
For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.
v14
Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
v15
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
v16
Even so, I myself didn’t burden you. “But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.”
v17
Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you?
v18
I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?
v19
Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
v20
For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots,
v21
that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed.
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My Notes
Footnotes
Footnotes
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See the topic of boasting explored deeply in the prior chapter. ↩
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It seems that this man was in fact Paul. Paul is talking about himself in the third person, in order to defend his honor. He is hesitantly boasting in a way as humble as possible. ↩
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Paul makes it a point to stress that he does not know if this was a miraculous vision or a miraculous teleportation. ↩
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It would seem that these words are unspeakable because they are secret and sacred, not because they are profane ↩
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This appears to be referring to the revelations of verses 1-6, which would further support the interpretation that Paul is the one who was caught up in the third heaven ↩