2 Cor 12.1-21 tells us that Paul continues to defend himself against the accusations that were brought against him in Corinth about his claims to be an apostle. He defended himself previously, showing he had just cause to be bold towards them, and gave them evidence that he truly was called by God. Apparently, these false teachers made an issue about their supposed visions and revelations, so he has no choice but to say the following.
v 1…Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable (it does not become him), but I will go on (turn to another matter and add this) to visions and revelations of the Lord.
v 2…I know a man in Messiah (himself- to show humility because he wants to avoid glorifying himself-2 Cor 12.7) who about fourteen years ago (this is the first time this is mentioned and shows how little Paul was concerned with boasting)-whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know (he can’t begin to explain it), God knows (how it was done)-such a man was caught up to the third heaven (also known as Paradise, Gan Eden, a term for the Olam Haba-v 4).
v 3…And I know how such a man-whether in the body, or apart from the body, I do not know, God knows (he repeats his previous statement in v 2 for emphasis)-
v 4…I was caught up into Paradise (the Garden, heaven, Olam Haba, Abraham’s Bosom, etc) and heard inexpressible (unspeakable) words (he could not do justice in explaining what he saw and heard), which a man is not permitted to speak (it is impossible to produce them in writing-he couldn’t put it into words).
v 5…On behalf of such a man will I boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast (his sense is, if this happened to someone else he would say the person was highly favored, but since it happened to him, he is not going to do that), except in regard to his weaknesses (his reproaches and afflictions).
v 6…For I do not wish to boast (had a mind to ), I shall not be foolish (and boast about such a vision like the false teachers of today would, who would write about it and make videos and go on TV and talk about it, etc), for I shall be speaking the truth (in what he said about it), but I refrain (to go on about the vision), so that no one may credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me (take him to be more than human, like the Lycaonians did in Acts 14.11-13, calling Paul and Barnabas “gods”; God gave this vision to Paul to sustain him through all his coming afflictions and for us to benefit from his ministry).
v 7…And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh (an idiom for an adversary who would despitefully abuse him, falsely accuse him, and gossip about him-Judges 2.3, Num 33.55; Ezek 2.6, 28.24; Josh 23.13; Hos 2.6), a messenger (an agent doing the work) of Satan (obstructing him; causing affliction and suffering) to buffet me (rap with a fist, control, chastise, reserve for affliction of punishment)-to keep me from exalting myself (this was the case with David and Peter and many others; God will humble us through sin or humiliation, failure, enemies who slander us, and poverty. How could David be lifted up in pride ever again after killing Uriah; how could Peter be lifted up in pride ever again after denying Yeshua with a curse on himself; God will show us our weaknesses to keep us from pride through failure on many fronts; how could we be lifted up in pride after so many failures spiritually and personally).
v 8…Concerning this (buffeting and failure) I entreated (asked) the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
v 9…And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you (this alludes to “El Shaddai” or the one who will meet his need-Gen 17.1), for power (of God) is perfected (made to appear-Jam 2.22) in weakness (because God’s power appears in a continuous action).” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast (glory) about my weaknesses so that the power of Messiah may dwell in me (be manifested, overshadow).
v 10…Therefore I am well content with weaknesses (because God’s power appears), with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Messiah’s sake (on account of him, on his behalf); for when I am weak, then I am strong (with spiritual strength renewed time and time again).
v 11…I have become foolish (in boasting); you yourselves compelled me (the blame is yours). Actually, I should have been commended by you (you should have defended me), for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles (neither in evidence that I was commissioned, nor in manifestations of the Ruach by miracles), even though I am a nobody (regarded as nothing by the false teachers, but also he was nothing as he saw himself in God’s eyes-John 8.54).
v 12…The signs of a true apostle (shaliach) were performed among you (God working through him) with all patience by signs and wonders and miracles.
v 13…For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself did not become a burden to you (he took no wages from them)? Forgive me this wrong (he is being ironic, a sharp rebuke for their ingratitude and negligence).
v 14…Here for this third time I am ready to come to you (he has purposed to go; he couldn’t the second time-1 Cor 16.5), and I will not seek what is yours (money), but you (personally); for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for children (Paul was a “father” to them in the faith).
v 15…And I will most gladly spend (time, talent, strength, revelation, be unselfish, etc) and be expended (to use up) for your souls (on their behalf). If I love you the more (than other assemblies; he wrote to them more, gave them years of service including one year and six months the first time-Acts 18.1-18), I am to be loved the less (they were lukewarm and indifferent).
v 16…But be that as it may (with unreturned love), I did not burden you myself (by wanting support); nevertheless, crafty fellow I am (some said he may not have them taken their money himself), I took you in by deceit (by sending others to take their money in a slanderous statement).
v 17…Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I (refuting this slander)?
v 18…I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him (2 Cor 8.18). Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps (did not his actions resemble mine? Was there not abundant proof of honesty and sincerity)?
v 19…All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Messiah; and all for your upbuilding, beloved (he wasn’t saying all these things to build himself up, to his own credit or reputation; but it was so they wouldn’t be taken in by false teachers and prophets and their slander and accusations).
v 20…For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish, that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossips, arrogance, disturbances (that their evils still remain among them, forcing Paul to discipline them, which they wouldn’t like)
v 21…I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you (not finding them in order as he inwardly wished), and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
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