2 Corinthians 12:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we can notice the account Paul gives of the favors God had shown him and the honor God had given him. It is clear that he is speaking about himself as the man “in Christ.” Paul describes being caught up into the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2). We cannot say when this happened, whether during the three days when he was blind at his conversion or later. We also cannot say exactly how it happened, whether his soul was separated from his body or whether he was carried into a special state of deep vision.

It would be presumptuous for us to decide such things, especially since Paul himself says, “whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know.” Still, this was clearly an extraordinary honor. In some sense, he was taken into the third heaven, the heaven of the blessed, above the air where birds fly and above the starry sky with its glorious lights. This is the place where God shows his glory most fully. We cannot know everything about that glorious place, and it is not fitting that we should know very much about it.

Our duty and our blessing are to work hard to make sure we have a home there. If we know that is secure, then we should long to be there and live there forever. Paul also calls this third heaven “paradise” (2 Corinthians 12:4), using the word for the earthly garden from which Adam was driven because of his sin. It is also called “the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7), which shows that through Christ we are restored to all the joy and honor we lost through sin, and to something far better.

Paul does not tell us what he saw in the third heaven or paradise. Instead, he says that he heard “unspeakable words,” words that cannot be spoken by human lips. The things were too great, and our language is too limited to express them. It was also not lawful to repeat them, because while we live here, we already have a more sure word of prophecy than visions and revelations (2 Peter 1:19). There is such a thing as the language of angels as well as of men, and Paul knew as much of it as any man on earth. Even so, he valued love, that is, sincere love for God and our neighbor, above all.

This account should check our curiosity about forbidden knowledge. It should teach us to make use of the revelation God has already given in his Word. Paul himself, though he had been in the third heaven, did not make public what he had heard there. He held to the teaching of Christ. On that foundation the church is built, and on that same foundation we must build our faith and hope.

We should also notice the humble way Paul speaks about this matter. One might expect a man who had received such visions and revelations to boast about them. Instead, he says, “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory” (2 Corinthians 12:1). He did not even mention it at first, and when he does bring it up, it is only after fourteen years had passed (2 Corinthians 12:2). Even then, he speaks with reluctance, as though he felt compelled to do so by the need of the situation.

He also speaks of himself in the third person, not saying, “I am the man who was so honored above others.” His humility is also seen in the warning he gives himself in (2 Corinthians 12:6), which shows he did not enjoy dwelling on the subject. This is striking, because Paul was not behind the chief apostles in dignity, and yet he was very marked by humility. It is a noble thing to remain lowly in spirit even when greatly honored. Those who humble themselves will be lifted up.

Paul then explains how God kept him humble and stopped him from becoming proud because of these great revelations. He brings this up to balance the earlier account of his visions. When God’s people speak about their experiences, they should also speak about how God has kept them low and dependent, not only about his gifts and kindness.

Paul says he was troubled by “a thorn in the flesh” and “a messenger of Satan” that kept striking him (2 Corinthians 12:7). We cannot say for sure what this was. Some think it was severe bodily pain or sickness. Others think it was the insults he suffered from false apostles, especially their attacks on his speech, which they said was weak and unimpressive. Whatever it was, God often brings good out of evil, and the insults of enemies can help keep pride down.

What Paul calls a thorn in the flesh was very painful to him for a time. Yet the thorns Christ wore for us, and the crown of thorns he suffered, make all our thorns easier to bear. He suffered when he was tempted, so he is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:18). Temptations to sin are the most painful thorns. They are messengers of Satan sent to trouble us, and even the offer of sin is a heavy burden to a good person.

God gave this trial to keep Paul humble, “lest I should be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7). Paul knew he had not already reached perfection, and yet even he was in danger of pride. If God loves us, he will hide pride from us and keep us from thinking too highly of ourselves. Spiritual burdens are sometimes sent to cure spiritual pride. Satan meant this affliction for harm, to discourage Paul and hinder his work, but God overruled it for good. He turned what Satan meant as a burden into a help.

Paul also prayed earnestly for relief. Prayer is a remedy for every wound and every trouble. When we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give ourselves to prayer. Sometimes temptation itself teaches us how to pray. Paul begged the Lord three times that this trouble might leave him (2 Corinthians 12:8). Even when God sends afflictions for our good, it is still right to ask him to remove them. We should also ask that they serve the purpose for which they were sent.

Paul prayed seriously, and he repeated his request. He pleaded with the Lord three times, meaning often and earnestly. So if God does not answer the first prayer or the second, we must keep going and not give up until the answer comes. Even Christ prayed to his Father three times. As troubles are sent to teach us to pray, so they are sometimes continued to teach us to keep praying without ceasing.

Here is the answer God gave the apostle’s prayer: the trouble was not taken away, but something equal and better was given, “My grace is sufficient for you.” This shows that even when God accepts a prayer offered in faith, he does not always answer it in the exact form we ask for. Sometimes he withholds what we want in love, because he sees what is best for us.

When God does not remove our troubles and temptations, we still have no reason to complain if he gives us grace that is enough. No matter what “thorn in the flesh” pains us, it is a great comfort to know that God’s grace is sufficient for us. Grace here means two things. First, it means God’s goodwill toward us, which is enough to give light, life, strength, and comfort to our souls in all troubles and distress.

Second, it means God’s work in us, the grace we receive from the fullness that is in Christ, our head and ruler. From him comes what is fitting, timely, and sufficient for his members, that is, for those who belong to him. Christ understands our situation and knows what we need. He matches the remedy to the sickness. He not only strengthens us, but also shows his glory through us. In this way, his power is made complete in our weakness.

That is why the apostle gloried in his weaknesses and even took pleasure in them (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10). He does not mean sinful weaknesses, which should make us ashamed and sorrowful. He means his sufferings for Christ, his insults, his needs, his persecutions, and his distress (2 Corinthians 12:10). These became reasons for joy because they gave Christ room to show the power and sufficiency of his grace in Paul’s life.

Paul had learned so much of God’s strengthening grace that he could say, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” This is a Christian paradox: when we are weak in ourselves, we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we see our own weakness clearly, we are driven out of ourselves to Christ, and then we are in the best place to receive strength from him. In that way, we experience most fully the supply of God’s power and grace.