2 Corinthians 12 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
~AD 55
Location
Corinth, Greece
Audience
The Christian church in Corinth
Situation
Paul reluctantly boasts of visions and revelations to counter false apostles' claims, while emphasizing his weaknesses, sufferings, and 'thorn in the flesh' to affirm God's grace.
Key Background
2 Corinthians was Paul's follow-up letter after 1 Corinthians, a painful visit, and a lost 'severe letter' delivered via Titus, who reported partial reconciliation. False teachers, dubbed 'super-apostles,' were challenging Paul's authority by boasting of eloquence and visions. In chapter 12, Paul contrasts heavenly experiences from 14 years prior with earthly trials to demonstrate authentic apostleship rooted in Christ's power amid weakness.
I have to keep There's nothing to gain from it, but I'll move on to and from the
I know someone in the who fourteen years ago was up to the Whether it was in the body or out of the body, I don't know — God knows.
And I know that this person — whether in the body or apart from the body, I don't know, God knows —
was caught up and heard things too to things no human being is allowed to speak.
I'll boast about that person, but I won't boast about myself — except about my
Even if I did decide to boast, I wouldn't be a fool, because I'd be telling the truth. But I'll hold back, so that no one gives me credit beyond what they see me do or hear me say.
So to keep me from getting an inflated ego because of these extraordinary revelations, I was given a in my — a messenger from the to me and keep me from becoming arrogant.
I the Lord to take it away from me.
But he told me, "My is all you need. My its in weakness." So I'll gladly boast about my weaknesses even more, so that the of the One can up in me.
That's why I'm actually with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecution, and being to the — all for the sake of the One. Because when I'm weak, that's when I'm actually strong.
I've been acting like a fool — but you forced me into it! You should have been the ones speaking up for me. I'm not one bit inferior to those even though I'm nothing.
The that prove someone is a genuine apostle — signs, and of — were consistently demonstrated among you, and I up despite everything.
How exactly were you treated worse than the other except that I personally didn't burden you financially? me this
Look, this is the third time I'm ready to come visit you, and I'm still not going to be a burden. I don't want your money — I want you. After all, aren't supposed to save up for their parents; parents save up for their
I'll gladly I have — and — for your sake. If I love you more, does that mean I get loved less in return?
Fine, you admit I wasn't a burden to you. But some of you are saying I was — that I caught you through some kind of
Did I of you through any of the people I sent? Not a chance.
I urged to visit you, and I sent our brother along with him. Did take advantage of you? Didn't we operate with the exact same Didn't we walk the exact same path?
Have you been thinking this whole time that we've been defending ourselves to you? We're speaking before God as people who belong to the And everything we do, dear friends, is to you up.
I'm afraid that when I come, I might not find you the way I want to — and you might not find me the way you want to either. I'm afraid there might be jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and
I'm afraid that when I come again, my God might me in front of you, and I'll end up over many who kept on and — never turned away from the the and the they'd been living in.