2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12 (NKJV)

The Vision of Paradise

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

2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

3And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—

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

5Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.

6For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

7And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

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

9And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Signs of an Apostle

11I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.

12Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

13For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Love for the Church

14Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

16But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!

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

18I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

20For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;

21lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

Ephesians 3:20

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)

20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us

Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

13I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Scripture readings

Devotional 📖

The verses in 2 Corinthians 12 outline a conversation Paul is having with God where he pleads with Him to take away an ailment. God tells Paul that His grace is enough for His power is made perfect in Paul’s weakness.

Resurrection power operates most clearly where human adequacy is absent. A lot of the time, we can limit God and His power working through us when we try to do things in our own strength instead of expressing our limitations and weaknesses to Him. The posture of dependency cultivates true humility. Paul says that the reason God had allowed this is to prevent him from pride.

You won’t receive if you don’t express need.

It’s when you realise that your natural limitations supersede your will that you understand the need for God’s grace and power. Often, we desire to do the will of God but our flesh is fighting us for our attention. At that moment is when we cry out to God for His grace and His power. Grace is not the license to sin, it’s the empowerment to do the will of the Father.

‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness’

Whatever the thorn is, the promise is that God’s miraculous power to achieve is only brought forth in its intended way when we express need. Weakness becomes an arena for Christ’s empowering grace. His power is not attracted to anyone or anything that relies on its own strength. His ‘dunamis’ power to achieve a purpose will not find them.

More than anything, we need the grace and power of God, for we are incredibly weak.

Prayer 🙏

Write your own prayer to the Lord. Express your need and ask for His grace and power today.

Power in weakness

Devotional 📖

Prayer 🙏