Continuing the reluctant boast, Paul recounts a man in Christ (himself) caught up to the third heaven and paradise fourteen years earlier, hearing unspeakable words. He reveals the thorn in the flesh given lest he be exalted, which despite threefold pleading remained, with Christ's response that grace is sufficient and power perfected in weakness; thus Paul gladly boasts in infirmities that Christ's power may rest upon him, concluding that signs of apostleship were wrought among them.
Read 2 Corinthians Chapter 12 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
Position in Book
Comfort in AfflictionChapters 1-2
New Covenant MinistryChapters 3-6
Generous GivingChapters 7-9
Paul's DefenseChapters 10-13
Against false apostles, Paul's sufferings and visions.
Bible Bites
Paul's Letter Written with Tears
Before writing 2 Corinthians, Paul wrote a severe letter to the Corinthians 'out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears' after a painful visit. This 'letter of tears' is mentioned in 2 Corinthians but may now be lost to history.
2 Corinthians 2:3-4