2 Corinthians 12:1-6 says,...
Today's verses are 2 Corinthians 12:1-6, which read,
v.1 - Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Paul continues to speak in a way that the false teachers were speaking. The false teachers spoke of visions and revelations and so he will do the same but again with a twist. The false teachers were speaking of these things to draw attention to themselves but Paul uses them to point people off of himself and unto God. Paul is trying to take what sounds like a boast of himself and keep it focused on God and to show the difference between himself and the false teachers, he will boast but in a different way. Paul's visions are recorded in the book of Acts, six of them, and his revelations are recorded in the books of Galatians and Ephesians.
v.2-4 - I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows--was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
Paul goes into the third person to try to deflect this method of boasting but he is talking of himself and a vision he had. He also gives credit to God being the only one who knows the full details if he was physically caught up to the third heaven or if just in spirit he was. Paul makes no claim other than God knows these details.
v.1 - Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Paul continues to speak in a way that the false teachers were speaking. The false teachers spoke of visions and revelations and so he will do the same but again with a twist. The false teachers were speaking of these things to draw attention to themselves but Paul uses them to point people off of himself and unto God. Paul is trying to take what sounds like a boast of himself and keep it focused on God and to show the difference between himself and the false teachers, he will boast but in a different way. Paul's visions are recorded in the book of Acts, six of them, and his revelations are recorded in the books of Galatians and Ephesians.
v.2-4 - I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows--was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
Paul goes into the third person to try to deflect this method of boasting but he is talking of himself and a vision he had. He also gives credit to God being the only one who knows the full details if he was physically caught up to the third heaven or if just in spirit he was. Paul makes no claim other than God knows these details.
The
third heaven and Paradise are the same place. The first heaven is the
earth's atmosphere. The second heaven is the stars and the galaxies.
The third heaven in the dwelling place of God. While in this third
heaven in body or not in body, he was spoken to with words that are not
to be repeated.
The false teachers would have told you those words and most likely for a fee. Paul says no and keeps to the command given him to hold those words to himself. Here is just another way that we see Paul and the false teachers not as apples to apples but apples to oranges.
v.5, 6 - On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
Paul did not relay this vision to the Corinthians in his first visit with them. Why? Because it was not needed. The gospel message is enough. The weakness of our state and the need for a Savior is what we boast in. Now that he has spoken of this event of his life, a boast if you will in the context of their situation, he speaks of its truth but warns to not base the gospel or his credibility on the telling of this vision. May Paul's credibility be based on what they have seen of him and heard from him prior to this event given of the third heaven.
I guess it is the phrase "who are you when no one is looking." Are you the same person when no one is looking or are you someone else? Do you put on a show when you have a crowd or do they see and hear the same person on Monday morning? Our everyday life should be the witness that people notice rather than some spectacular story that we can tell. Those spectacular things happen at times but they are not the bulk of your credibility as a follower of Jesus Christ. What they hear and what they see on a daily basis is what really matters and especially hearing and seeing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and Jesus is that Savior and the Hero of your story. You boast in your weakness because it points to the strong man of Jesus.
"Lord, we are so geared to look for the 'wow' factor in our lives and the lives of others. Paul gave us one 'wow' factor from his life but again points to the consistency of his daily living before You. May we see that the lasting impact is not our '15 minutes of fame' but our lifetime of being ambassadors and lights for You and of You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
The false teachers would have told you those words and most likely for a fee. Paul says no and keeps to the command given him to hold those words to himself. Here is just another way that we see Paul and the false teachers not as apples to apples but apples to oranges.
v.5, 6 - On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
Paul did not relay this vision to the Corinthians in his first visit with them. Why? Because it was not needed. The gospel message is enough. The weakness of our state and the need for a Savior is what we boast in. Now that he has spoken of this event of his life, a boast if you will in the context of their situation, he speaks of its truth but warns to not base the gospel or his credibility on the telling of this vision. May Paul's credibility be based on what they have seen of him and heard from him prior to this event given of the third heaven.
I guess it is the phrase "who are you when no one is looking." Are you the same person when no one is looking or are you someone else? Do you put on a show when you have a crowd or do they see and hear the same person on Monday morning? Our everyday life should be the witness that people notice rather than some spectacular story that we can tell. Those spectacular things happen at times but they are not the bulk of your credibility as a follower of Jesus Christ. What they hear and what they see on a daily basis is what really matters and especially hearing and seeing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and Jesus is that Savior and the Hero of your story. You boast in your weakness because it points to the strong man of Jesus.
"Lord, we are so geared to look for the 'wow' factor in our lives and the lives of others. Paul gave us one 'wow' factor from his life but again points to the consistency of his daily living before You. May we see that the lasting impact is not our '15 minutes of fame' but our lifetime of being ambassadors and lights for You and of You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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