1 The Vision of Paradise It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to Acts 16:9; 18:9; 22:17, 18; 23:11; 26:13–15; 27:23 visions and Acts 9:3–6;1 Cor. 14:6;2 Cor. 12:7; (Gal. 1:12; 2:2; Eph. 3:3–6) revelations of the Lord:
2 I know a man Rom. 16:7; Gal. 1:22 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 Acts 22:17 was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—
4 how he was caught up into Luke 23:43; (Rev. 2:7) Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not 2 Cor. 11:30 boast, except in my infirmities.
6 For 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.
7 The Thorn in the Flesh And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a Num. 33:55; Ezek. 28:24; Hos. 2:6; Gal. 4:13, 14 thorn in the flesh was given to me, Job 2:7; Matt. 4:10; Luke 13:16; (1 Cor. 5:5) a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 Deut. 3:23; Matt. 26:44 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly 2 Cor. 11:30 I will rather boast in my infirmities, (1 Pet. 4:14) that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore (Rom. 5:3; 8:35) I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. 2 Cor. 13:4 For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 Signs of an Apostle I have become 2 Cor. 5:13; 11:1, 16; 12:6 a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for 1 Cor. 15:10;2 Cor. 11:5 in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though 1 Cor. 3:7; 13:2; 15:9 I am nothing.
12 Acts 14:3; Rom. 15:18 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and Acts 15:12 wonders and mighty Acts 14:8–10; 16:16–18; 19:11, 12; 20:6–12; 28:1–10 deeds.
13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Love for the Church 2 Cor. 1:15; 13:1, 2 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for Acts 20:33; (1 Cor. 10:24–33) I do not seek yours, but you. 1 Cor. 4:14; Gal. 4:19 For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent John 10:11; Rom. 9:3;2 Cor. 1:6; Phil. 2:17; Col. 1:24;1 Thess. 2:8; (2 Tim. 2:10) for your souls; though 2 Cor. 6:12, 13 the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
16 But be that as it may, 2 Cor. 11:9 I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?
18 I urged Titus, and sent our 2 Cor. 8:18 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?
19 2 Cor. 5:12 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? (Rom. 9:1, 2); 2 Cor. 11:31 We speak before God in Christ. 1 Cor. 10:33 But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that 1 Cor. 4:21;2 Cor. 13:2, 10 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;
21 lest, when I come again, my God 2 Cor. 2:1, 4 will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many 2 Cor. 13:2 who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, 1 Cor. 5:1 fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.