Second Corinthians 12 Part 1 The Grace Of God Is Sufficient For Our Needs

Paul received many visions from the Lord that he could boast about.

2 Corinthians 12:1  It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 

False teachers boasted about things that they never did or experienced. Paul addressed their personal attacks upon him by glorying in the ministry that Christ gave him. 

The apostle continues in this chapter and his strong defense reminds us that the apostolic ministry will always be under attack. 

We must always be vigilant and guard against such attacks.

It was lawful for Paul to glory in the truth of how God worked in his ministry. 

It was necessary for him to vindicate his ministry to stop the Corinthians from being carried away by false apostles.

The honor of the gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ was at stake. 

Yet, such boasting, though true, was not always the right thing for Paul to do. 

He knew that boasting could stir up pride in his own heart and that it could cause the same divisions as false teachers did.

False teachers evidently claimed to have received special revelation or visions from God.

It is dangerous ground to leave the solid foundation of scripture and move onto the quagmire of unverifiable spiritual speculation.

This is where many charismatics are today. They claim special experiences and new revelation from God even though this does not square with what the scripture says.

However, Paul could truthfully point to visions that he received from the Lord which Luke recorded in the book of Acts.

Paul was blessed with visions from the Lord to guide his steps.

Acts 16:6-10  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10  And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 

God actively directed Paul and his companions on their missionary journeys. 

The apostle wanted to preach the Word in Asia but the Holy Spirit said "No."

Next, they wanted to travel to Bithynia but the Spirit of God did not give them permission. 

That night, the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision of a man in Macedonia crying for help.

Acts 18:9-11  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11  And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 

After Paul faced strong opposition to preaching the gospel of Christ in Corinth, the Lord spoke to him in another vision.

Jesus told Paul that he should preach freely the Word of God because He had many people to save in that place. 

We cannot forget Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus where the glorified Son of God stopped him in his tracks and Paul saw and heard Jesus (Read Acts 9).

Paul's vision after being stoned and left for dead at Lystra.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4  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. 3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 

When Paul speaks of a "man in Christ" from fourteen years ago, that timeframe corresponds to the day that he was stoned and left for dead outside the city of Lystra.

Acts 14:19-20  And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20  Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 

Certain Jews came to Lystra and stirred up violent opposition against the gospel that Paul preached.

They incited such an angry, violent spirit in the people that they stoned Paul and left him for dead.

Luke tells us that the disciples believed that Paul was dead and they stood by him, not knowing what to do.

However, the Lord Jesus revived Paul and the text simply says "He rose up and came into the city."

Paul is telling us about what happened to him in the interval of time that he was left for dead and when he revived.

Thus, when he speaks of a man he knew in Christ, and could not determine whether it was in the body or out of the body, he is speaking of his own experience.

He saw a glorious vision in heaven and is describing it for us.

This man, which is Paul, was caught up to paradise and heard words that were not lawful for any man to utter.

Paul also tells us about a third heaven called paradise. 

It is generally taught that the atmosphere around earth is the first heaven. Space which contains all planets and solar systems is the second heaven. 

The third heaven is viewed as the abode of God. 

Twice the apostle mentions that he could not determine if he was in his body or out of his body when he knew this man who was caught up to the third heaven.

False teachers boasted about unverifiable visions and experiences but Paul gloried in a real event that happened to him.

Paul knew that glorying in visions God gave him must be restrained so that he did not become proud. 

2 Corinthians 12:5-6  Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6  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. 

The apostle modestly speaks of some other person and not himself, as the man caught up into the third heaven. 

Yet, he clearly means himself; and makes a distinction between himself present in paradise from himself on the earth. 

Though he might lawfully glory of such a person so highly exalted and favoured, yet Paul chose to forbear, and say no more of it.

Paul would not glory of these things as from himself, due to any merit or worthiness he had. 

Rather, he emphasized that this was done by the grace, and goodness of God. 

Instead of glorying in such a spiritual experience, Paul chose to glory in his infirmities. 

His physical frailness after suffering so much abuse and his weakened condition were what he gloried in.

Paul is teaching us a very important lesson about suffering.

Like Job, Paul endured some type of affliction from Satan, for his good.

2 Corinthians 12:7  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. 

This verse makes it clear that the man who was caught up to the third heaven was none other than Paul. 

God permitted a thorn in his flesh so that Paul would not become filled with pride over his wonderful vision.

Paul calls this a "messenger of Satan" that would afflict him personally, much like the sufferings of Job. 

The apostle gives an account of how God kept  him humble, and prevented his being self exalted. 

When Christians communicate their faith experiences, it is important to remember what God did to keep us humble. 

Otherwise, we can be puffed up with pride. 

Sharing our testimony may encourage some who hear it but this is not what God uses to save sinners. 

God uses the preaching of the cross of Christ and His gospel to save souls for His kingdom. 

Therefore, we must be guarded when sharing our testimony and the impact of God's grace in our lives. 

We do not know what Paul's thorn in the flesh was. Some think it was an acute pain or sickness while others think it was attacks from false apostles. 

This thorn in the flesh is said to be a messenger of Satan. He always acts with malice to discourage and hinder Paul from gospel ministry. 

However, God designed this thorn in Paul's body for his good. God turned this messenger of Satan into a something good that Paul embraced.

Paul did pray three times asking the Lord to remove this thorn in the flesh, but the Lord made it clear that His apostle must rely on His grace.

Since God's grace is sufficient for us, we have hope when we suffer for Him.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9  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. 10  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. 

Our Lord always hears and answers His people sooner or later, in one form or another, though not always in the way and manner we desire. 

Jesus answers our prayers in such a way as is most for His glory and our good.

My grace is sufficient for thee  means that Jesus told Paul he would not be permitted to sink under these afflictions. 

His enemies would not be able to prevail against him.

The more violently Paul was afflicted and tried, the more he was upheld by Christ's power, and prospered in his labors.

The power of Jesus Christ was more readily seen and acknowledged in the apostle's weakness. 

For the weaker the instrument He uses, the more  His grace shall be manifested.

In the weaknesses of Paul through the buffetings of Satan, he is content with things as they were. 

He rested in Christ's promise of sufficient of grace to bear him up, through whatever was the pleasure of God concerning him.

God will supply His grace that is capable of meeting our needs.

Psalm 84:9-12  Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. 10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. 

Jesus' promise to supply His all sufficient grace for Paul's needs connects with the inspired words of the Psalmist.

As a student of scripture, Paul would have known and found comfort in these words.

The Lord Himself is our shield. Our help is not found in wealth, mighty armies or status. Jehovah pours His grace into us when we need it.

Because this is true, the Psalmist declared that he would rather have the lowliest position of a doorkeeper in the house of God. 

One day in the LORD's house was better than a thousand days spent doing other things.

He wanted nothing to do with wicked and depraved culture or people.

Jehovah promised to give grace to His redeemed people and He will not hold back anything that is good for us.

All who put their trust in God are blessed beyond measure.

Isaiah 43:1-2  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Paul would also know this text from Isaiah and we can readily see how God's Word comforts us in our time of affliction or need.

When the waters of a trial flow our way, God promises that they will not overwhelm us.

If we are called to walk through some fiery trial, God will not allow us to be burned.

He can use fire to purge out the dross from our lives and thus, it is turned to good for us.

We do not naturally think that God's grace is sufficient for us when we suffer affliction, trial or trouble. Yet, this is what the Bible teaches.

God will give us grace when we need it.

God will sustain us when we think we cannot go on.

God will never leave us and He will never stop loving us.

He will do as He promises in His Word, to work all things out for our good and for His glory.

Bob