Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 12

Verses 1-21

The boasting continues. However, it takes on a new and startling characteristic. In his apostleship there had been something supernatural, something not to be finally explained. Of this, he will glory. As to the method, Paul himself declares his ignorance. However, there was no uncertainty about the great fact that he received revelations not to be accounted for by any merely natural hypotheses, neither were these revelations given to him for communication, for again he affirms that he "heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."

The purpose of the revelations was evidently to give him courage and confidence in his work. The peril lay in the danger of his becoming "exalted overmuch." In order to prevent this, came the "thorn in the flesh." "Now," says the apostle, "will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the paver of Christ may rest upon me."

The letter was now coming to a close, and the apostle was careful to make perfectly clear what had been his attitude in writing. His dealing with them had been conditioned in a threefold fact: first, in the sight of God; second, in Christ; third, for their edifying. This paragraph shows an unveiling of the heart of the true spiritual teacher, yearning in love over his children, desiring earnestly their highest welfare, caring little for their approval of his conduct but much for their approval by God. Out of such desire he delivered his message, conscious of its authority because he speaks in Christ.