Book of 2 Corinthians · Chapter 12 of 13
21 verses · 14 video commentaries from 4 courses · Berean Standard Bible
1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2I 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 it I do not know, but God knows.
3And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows—
4was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.
5I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
6Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,
7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
12The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.
13In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.
17Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?
18I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?
19Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.
20For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
21I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.
2 Cor 12:1-9
Paul recounts a personal experience, fourteen years prior, where he was caught up to the third heaven and into paradise. He heard inexpressible things that no mortal is permitted to repeat. This vision serves to bolster his authority among the Corinthians, despite his reluctance to boast.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Secrets of the Third Heaven: Exploring Paul��s Vision · watch the clip
Although Paul initially describes the vision as happening to 'a person in Christ,' the context of 2 Corinthians 10-13, where he defends his apostolic authority, makes it clear he is referring to himself. He later connects this experience to a 'thorn in the flesh' given to him by God to prevent him from becoming conceited due to the extraordinary revelations.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Secrets of the Third Heaven: Exploring Paul��s Vision · watch the clip
2 Cor 12:11-21
Despite earlier expressions of reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 2 and 7, Paul's tone abruptly shifts in later chapters, such as 2 Corinthians 12 and 13. He becomes angry and threatening, warning of severe actions during his next visit due to unrepentant sin, suggesting that 2 Corinthians might be a composite of multiple letters.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 20: Collecting Paul’s Letters · watch the clip
2 Cor 12:1
Paul claims to have had abundant revelations from Jesus, including a profound ascent to paradise, which he describes in 2 Corinthians 12. He views these visionary encounters as superior to physical interactions, establishing a direct and conversational relationship with the risen Lord.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Historical Paul: What Scholars Actually Know About Paul's Life, Beliefs, and Personality · watch the clip
2 Cor 12:2
Paul's mention of being caught up to the 'third heaven' indicates a common ancient belief in layered heavenly realms. The third heaven, in this context, represents the highest level, where God resides. This vision signifies Paul's direct access to divine revelation, which he uses to assert his authority, even if he cannot disclose the specifics.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Secrets of the Third Heaven: Exploring Paul��s Vision · watch the clip
Paul's reference to a 'third heaven' in his writings suggests a cosmological understanding similar to ancient Greek and Roman philosophers. This view posits different levels or layers within the cosmos, each with its own significance, which souls might traverse on their journey after death.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · What Will Our Bodies Look Like in the Afterlife? · watch the clip
Paul's reference to being caught up to the 'third heaven' reflects a common ancient belief in multiple levels between humans and the divine. While Paul doesn't explicitly define all three levels, the first heaven is likely the sky, the second possibly a realm of angels or superhuman beings, and the third, the highest level, where God resides with his holy ones. This concept of gradations in the spiritual realm was present in various philosophical and religious traditions of the Roman world, including Jewish and later Christian texts.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Am I Going to Hell? What the New Testament Says About Death and the Afterlife · watch the clip
2 Cor 12:7-9
In 2 Corinthians, Paul mentions a 'thorn in the flesh' that God refused to remove, stating that God's grace was sufficient. The exact nature of this affliction is unknown, with various interpretations including a speech impediment, a physical ailment like epilepsy (suggested by the account in Acts of his conversion), or a struggle with personal desires such as sexuality. Paul does not specify, leaving its identity open to speculation.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Did Jesus Have to Suffer? Trying to Make Sense of a Troubling View · watch the clip
2 Cor 12:7
Paul claims to have had abundant revelations from Jesus, including a profound ascent to paradise, which he describes in 2 Corinthians 12. He views these visionary encounters as superior to physical interactions, establishing a direct and conversational relationship with the risen Lord.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Historical Paul: What Scholars Actually Know About Paul's Life, Beliefs, and Personality · watch the clip
2 Cor 12:9-10
Paul recounts extensive suffering, including beatings, imprisonments, and shipwrecks, which he endures for Christ's sake. He finds meaning in these tribulations, viewing them as a way to identify with Christ and experience God's power perfected in his weakness.
Summarized by AI · Ancient Christianities: The First Five Hundred Years · Lecture 9: Charisma and Christianity | Martyrdom and Persecution · watch the clip
2 Cor 12:11
In 2 Corinthians, Paul sarcastically refers to rival missionaries as 'Super Apostles' who challenged his authority and message in Corinth. These opponents boasted of their dynamic presence and spiritual experiences, contrasting themselves with Paul's perceived weakness and poor public speaking, leading Paul to defend his apostolic legitimacy.
Summarized by AI · Did Peter Hate Paul? Apostolic Conflict in the Early Church · Lecture 1: Two Apostles Head-to-Head (And Toe-to-Toe?) · watch the clip
In the 'angry' section of 2 Corinthians (chapters 10-13), Paul confronts rival Christian leaders, whom he sarcastically calls 'super-apostles.' These opponents challenged Paul's authority, criticizing his physical weakness and rhetorical ineffectiveness, while boasting of their own spiritual power and charisma.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Secrets of the Third Heaven: Exploring Paul��s Vision · watch the clip
2 Cor 12:12
Paul asserted his authority based on charismatic qualities, claiming Christ worked through him with 'word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of Spirit' to bring Gentiles to obedience. His ability to endure numerous hardships, such as beatings, imprisonments, and hunger, further demonstrated his power and validated his apostleship.
Summarized by AI · Ancient Christianities: The First Five Hundred Years · Lecture 10: Charisma and Christianity | Cyprian and the Bishops · watch the clip
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, claims to have performed 'signs and wonders and miracles' when he was present with people. These are mentioned without narrative detail, serving as reminders to his audience of events they had witnessed. This indicates that the concept of miracles was not confined to gospel narratives but was also part of early Christian experience and discourse.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Newly Discovered PROOF: Jesus Was an Illusionist · watch the clip
Miracles were consistently cited as a primary reason for conversion in early Christian accounts. Paul himself claimed to have seen Jesus alive after death, which converted him, and he mentioned performing signs and wonders among his congregations. The Book of Acts frequently depicts mass conversions occurring after apostles performed miracles, such as healings. Even later, intelligent writers like Saint Augustine attributed conversions to the power of God demonstrated through miracles.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · How Did Christianity Take Over the Roman World? · watch the clip