2 Corinthians 12-13

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Chapter 12

1- I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord – Visions and revelations in N.T.:

• Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, had a vision of an angel (Luke 1:8-23).
• Jesus’ transfiguration is described as a vision for the disciples (Matthew 17:9).
• The women who came to visit Jesus’ tomb had a vision of angels (Luke 24:22-24).
• Stephen saw a vision of Jesus at his death (Acts 7:55-56).
• Ananias experienced a vision telling him to go to Saul (Acts 9:10).
• Peter had a vision of the clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:17-19 and 11:5).
• Peter had a vision of an angel at his release from prison (Acts 12:9).
• John had many visions on Patmos (Revelation 1:1).
• Paul had a revelation of Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6-11 and 26:12-20).
• Paul had vision of a man from Macedonia, asking him to come to that region to help (Acts 16:9-10).
• Paul had an encouraging vision while in Corinth (Acts 18:9-11).
• Paul had a vision of an angel on the ship that was about to be wrecked (Acts 27:23-25).

2 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 – This could be during Paul’s ten years in Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:21-2:1), at his stoning in Lystria (Acts 14:19), or during his time in Antioch (Acts 13:1-3).

7   To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me – Thorn (Skolops) could be better translated “stake,” as in a tent stake not a little thorn!

What exactly was the thorn in the flesh?  Some suggestions:

• Spiritual harassment.
• Persecution.
• Physical or mental ailment.
• Lustful and sinful thoughts..
• An earache or a headache.
• Sir William Ramsay said it was a type of malaria common to the area that he served as a missionary.
• Poor eyesight based on other writings of Paul.

Galatians 6: ¹¹See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! NIV

Galatians 4: ¹⁴Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. ¹⁵What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. NIV

Chapter 13

1 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” – Deuteronomy 19:15.

5      Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? – Were they really born again?

Are You Really “Born Again”?

• Have you confessed and believed? (Rom 10:9-10)
• Do you have Peace With God and peace of God? (Romans 5:1; Phil 4:7; Col 3:15)
• Do you have the witness of the Holy Spirit in your heart? (Rom
• 8:9, 16)
• Do you love the brothers? (1 John 3:14)
• Is there a turning from the world (1 John 2:15)
• Is there an interest in God’s Word (Rom 10:17)
• A growing sensitivity to sin (I John 3:9; 5:18).
• Do you practice righteousness? (1 John 2:29; 3:9)
• Are you living a life of godly separation? (1 John 5:4)

An impulse to witness to others (Acts 1:8)