The Bible — World English Bible

2 Corinthians 12

In brief

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul is forced to talk about himself because false apostles are boasting before the church in Corinth. He mentions an extraordinary vision, then chooses to boast in his weaknesses. To keep him from becoming proud, a thorn was given to him in the flesh. He prayed three times for it to leave, and the Lord answered that his grace is enough. Paul ends the chapter with his pastoral love and his fears for the church.

The chapter in 5 parts

  1. v. 1-6Visions, but no boasting
  2. v. 7-10The thorn in the flesh and the grace that is enough
  3. v. 11-13The marks of Paul's apostleship
  4. v. 14-18A father who spends himself and asks for nothing
  5. v. 19-21Paul's fears before his visit

1It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.

3I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows),

4how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

6For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me or hears from me.

7By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.

8Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

9He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

10Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

11I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

12Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works.

13For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

14Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

16Even so, I myself didn’t burden you. “But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.”

17Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you?

18I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?

19Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

20For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots,

21that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed.

Key verses

Verse 7
By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.

Paul speaks of a thorn in the flesh, given so that he would not become conceited. The text does not say what it was: illness, opposition or another trial, commentators are unsure and it is better not to decide.

Verse 9
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

After three prayers, the Lord's answer is not deliverance but a promise: his grace is enough, because his power is made perfect in weakness. Paul understands that his limit becomes the place where Christ works.

Verse 10
Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

Paul concludes with a paradox: when he is weak, he is strong. This does not mean loving suffering for its own sake, but recognizing that strength comes from Christ and not from ourselves.

Verse 15
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

Paul says he will gladly spend himself for the souls of the Corinthians, even if they love him less in return. His pastoral love is selfless.

Bible verses to meditate on

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What the sermons say

Boasting in Weakness (2 Corinthians 12)This message starts from 2 Corinthians 12:1-10: Paul had every reason to boast, and yet he boasts in his weakness. Where we see shame, God sees a place where his strength can work.Read the summary →The Art of Being Weak: Gideon's Lesson on True StrengthThe article brings Gideon and Paul together: God reduces the army to 300 men, and Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12 that when he is weak, he is strong. God acts when we stop counting on ourselves.Read the summary →Samson, a Weak Judge: God's Promise Versus Walking by SightThe sermon cites Paul's thorn in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10: the text does not say it is an illness, and Paul learns that his strength is not in his abilities but in God.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about 2 Corinthians 12

What does “My grace is sufficient for you” mean in 2 Corinthians 12:9?

Paul asked three times to be delivered from his trial. The Lord does not remove it, but promises him his grace, meaning his strength and favor, to endure. The phrase does not say that trials are good: it says that God supports the one going through them and that his power shows in our frailty.

What is Paul's thorn in the flesh?

Paul does not say. Some think of an illness, others of a physical weakness, of opponents or of a spiritual trial, since he speaks of a messenger of Satan. Christian traditions differ. What matters for the text is its purpose, keeping Paul humble, and God's answer to his prayer.

Why does Paul say “when I am weak, then am I strong”?

Paul is not describing weakness as a virtue in itself. He means that when he can no longer rely on his own strength, the power of Christ rests on him. He thus learns to take pleasure in his limits, because that is where God's grace becomes visible.

Articles quoting 2 Corinthians 12

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World English Bible translation — public domain.