BOOK 47 OF 66 · PAULINE EPISTLES · KING JAMES BIBLE

2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians book home•Chapter 12 of 13•21 verses

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2 Corinthians 12 Overview

Paul describes a man caught up to the third heaven and hearing unspeakable words, then quickly shifts from visions to weakness. A thorn in the flesh keeps him from exaltation; after three requests for removal, Christ answers, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Paul also reminds the Corinthians of apostolic signs and explains his pastoral concern for their spiritual good.

2 CorinthiansBook

12Chapter

21Verses

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Before you read 2 Corinthians 12

Coming from

Paul fears the Corinthians may be corrupted from simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived. He warns about another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel, exposes false apostles who transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, and reluctantly recounts his own sufferings to show how unlike worldly boasting true apostolic ministry can look.

In this chapter

Leads into

Paul prepares for a third visit and warns that persistent sin will be addressed with apostolic authority. He tells the Corinthians to examine themselves whether they are in the faith, while also expressing hope that they will recognize Christ’s work among them. He closes by seeking their perfection, comfort, unity, and peace under the grace of Christ, love of God, and communion of the Holy Ghost.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Paul speaks cautiously in the third person about the heavenly experience; the text does not authorize imaginative tours of heaven based on unverifiable testimony.

The thorn is not identified precisely. Its purpose is clear—humbling and dependence—so confident claims that it must be one specific disease or opponent go beyond the text.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Spiritual privilege should not produce pride

Paul’s extraordinary revelation is paired with a humbling thorn.

Christ’s grace can sustain weakness without removing it

The answer is sufficient grace, not immediate escape.

True ministry seeks people rather than their possessions

Paul says he seeks them, not theirs.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Acts 9:1–9

Paul’s apostolic calling includes direct revelation of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:7–12

Earlier Paul describes divine power displayed in weak vessels.

Philippians 4:11–13

Paul later speaks of Christ-given strength across changing circumstances.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not identify the thorn dogmatically

Paul leaves it unnamed.

Do not promise that repeated prayer always removes suffering

Christ’s answer to Paul was sustaining grace.

Do not use visions as a shortcut around Scripture

Paul’s own response to revelation is humility, not sensationalism.

Read 2 Corinthians 12 watching for…

How Paul speaks about the third-heaven experience.

Why the thorn was given.

How many times Paul asked for removal.

Christ’s exact answer.

Paul’s concern about what he may find when he visits Corinth.

Chapter outline3 sections

1-10Paul speaks of visions and revelations and of a thorn in the flesh that keeps him humble as Christ’s grace is sufficient 11-18Paul defends the signs of his apostleship and reminds them he did not burden or exploit them 19-21Paul fears he may find unrepented sin when he comes again

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

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2 Corinthians 12:10

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