Paul's Revelations and the Thorn: Strength in Weakness
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
2Cor.12.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Καυχασθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- δει·ου: PART,neg
- συμφερον: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μεν: PART
- ελευσομαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- οπτασιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- αποκαλυψεις: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Galatians 1:11-12 (verbal): Paul states that the gospel was received not from men but 'by revelation of Jesus Christ,' echoing 2 Cor 12:1's language of revelations as the ground for his authority and boasting.
- 1 Corinthians 15:8 (thematic): Paul's claim that Christ 'appeared to me also' parallels the theme of visionary, apostolic encounters with the risen Lord that underlies 2 Cor 12:1.
- Acts 22:17-21 (verbal): Luke's account of Paul falling into a trance and seeing the Lord in the temple recalls the experiential language of visions/trances and revelations found in 2 Cor 12:1.
- 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (structural): The immediate context: verses 2–4 expand 12:1 by describing 'a man' (Paul) caught up to the third heaven and hearing inexpressible revelations—direct continuation and specification of the 'visions and revelations' mentioned in 12:1.
- Ephesians 3:3-5 (thematic): Paul speaks of the 'mystery' made known to him 'by revelation,' paralleling 2 Cor 12:1's emphasis on divine revelations as the source of his special insight and apostolic message.
Alternative generated candidates
- I must go on—with the risk of sounding boastful, though it profits nothing—I will speak of visions and revelations of the Lord.
- I must boast—though it is not profitable; yet I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2Cor.12.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- προ: PREP
- ετων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- δεκατεσσαρων: NUM,gen,pl,n
- ειτε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- σωματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- ειτε: CONJ
- εκτος: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σωματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- οιδεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- αρπαγεντα: VERB,aor,pass,ptcp,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τοιουτον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- εως: CONJ
- τριτου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- ουρανου: NOUN,gen,sg,masc
Parallels
- 2 Cor 12:1 (structural): Immediate context: Paul frames the forthcoming account as a (reluctant) boast about visions and revelations, introducing the same visionary episode.
- 2 Cor 12:4 (verbal): Direct continuation of the same claim—repeats uncertainty about being 'in the body' and identifies the experience as being 'caught up to the third heaven' and hearing ineffable words.
- Gal 1:11-12 (thematic): Paul's emphasis on receiving revelation ('I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ') parallels his claim here to have received extraordinary, direct heavenly revelation rather than human instruction.
- Acts 22:17-18 (thematic): Paul describes being 'in a trance' and seeing a vision while praying in the temple—an experience analogous to being 'caught up' or seizing of visionary ecstasy in 2 Cor 12:2.
- Rev 4:1-2 (thematic): The visionary ascent motif ('Come up here' and the seer taken into heaven) parallels the language and imagery of being 'caught up' to heaven and receiving revelations in a heavenly throne/vision setting.
Alternative generated candidates
- I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or apart from the body I do not know; God knows—was caught up to the third heaven.
- I 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—was caught up to the third heaven.
2Cor.12.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τοιουτον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ειτε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- σωματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ειτε: CONJ
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σωματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- οιδεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 12:2 (structural): Immediate context: Paul introduces 'such a man' and the vision of being 'caught up to the third heaven,' the opening of the same autobiographical vision sequence.
- 2 Corinthians 12:4 (verbal): Continues the same sentence and repeats the 'whether in the body or out of the body' language, describing being caught up into Paradise and hearing inexpressible things.
- 2 Corinthians 5:8 (thematic): Paul's theme of being 'absent from the body' and 'present with the Lord' parallels the distinction between bodily and disembodied experience in ecstatic visions.
- Revelation 4:1-2 (thematic): John's report of being 'called up' and 'in the Spirit' to a heavenly vision parallels Paul's language of being 'caught up' to heavenly realms in an ecstatic experience.
- Galatians 1:12 (thematic): Paul's insistence that his knowledge/gospel came by revelation (not from men) echoes the claim that his heavenly vision was a divine revelation known to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows—
- And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise and heard things inexpressible, which a man may not speak.
2Cor.12.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- ηρπαγη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- παραδεισον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ηκουσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αρρητα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- ρηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εξον: ADJ,indecl,sg,n
- ανθρωπω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- λαλησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Acts 8:39-40 (verbal): Philip is 'caught away' (ὁ δὲ πνεῦμα ἥρπασεν τὸν Φίλιππον) by the Spirit—uses the same root ἁρπάζω and parallels the experience of being supernaturally snatched into another realm.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (verbal): Believers are described as being 'caught up' (ἁρπασθήσομεν) to meet the Lord—shares the language and concept of being taken up into a heavenly realm.
- Revelation 4:1-2 (structural): John is called up into heaven to see visions—structurally parallel as an apocalyptic heavenly ascent in which visionary, often ineffable, revelations are given.
- 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (thematic): Speaks of things 'no eye has seen... which God has revealed to us by the Spirit'—parallels the theme of divine revelation of realities beyond human speech or experience (the 'inexpressible' nature of the revelation).
- Galatians 1:11-12 (allusion): Paul insists his gospel was received 'by revelation of Jesus Christ' rather than from men—supports and parallels his appeal to a direct, authoritative visionary revelation (as in the paradise/inescapable words claim).
Alternative generated candidates
- who was caught up into Paradise and heard words that are not to be spoken by a human being.
- On behalf of such a one I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.
2Cor.12.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υπερ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- τοιουτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- καυχησομαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
- υπερ: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- εμαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- καυχησομαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- ασθενειαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same thought: Paul explains why he will boast in weaknesses—God's power rests on him and 'when I am weak, then I am strong.' It verbally develops 12:5.
- 2 Corinthians 11:30 (verbal): Earlier statement with nearly identical wording ('If I must boast, I will boast of the things which concern my infirmity'), showing the recurring motif of boasting in weakness throughout the letter.
- 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (thematic): Contrasts self‑boasting with boasting that is warranted by the Lord's commendation; undergirds Paul's argument that proper boasting is not self‑glorification but grounded in God's approval.
- 1 Corinthians 1:31 (thematic): Cites the principle 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord,' which provides the theological basis for Paul's refusal to boast in himself and for redirecting boasting toward God's work.
- Galatians 6:14 (thematic): Paul declares he will boast only in the cross of Christ, not in personal status or accomplishments—parallel emphasis on rejecting self‑boasting and boasting only insofar as it displays Christ's power.
Alternative generated candidates
- On behalf of such a one I will boast; I will not boast of myself except of my weaknesses.
- For if I wished to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth; but I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.
2Cor.12.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εαν: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- θελησω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- καυχησασθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εσομαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
- αφρων: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- αληθειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- ερω·φειδομαι: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg + VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- μη: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- εις: PREP
- εμε: PRON,acc,sg,1
- λογισηται: VERB,aor,mid,subj,3,sg
- υπερ: PREP
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βλεπει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ακουει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εξ: PREP
- εμου: PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 (structural): Paul addresses boasting and comparisons, insisting against boasting beyond limits and that self-commendation is not approved—directly relates to his refusal here to boast so others won't overestimate him.
- 2 Corinthians 11:16-21; 11:30 (verbal): Paul practices reluctant or ironic boasting earlier in the chapter (boasting of weaknesses, humility in speech), closely paralleling the motive and language of refraining from boasting in 12:6.
- Galatians 6:14 (thematic): Paul insists he will only boast in the cross of Christ, reflecting the controlled, spiritual perspective on boasting that underlies his refusal to self-exalt in 2 Cor 12:6.
- 1 Corinthians 1:31 (cf. Jeremiah 9:24) (quotation): The maxim 'Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord' (quoted in 1 Cor 1:31 from Jer 9:24) provides the theological principle limiting legitimate boasting that informs Paul's caution in 2 Cor 12:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- For if I want to boast, I would not be a fool; for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what is seen in me or heard from me.
- And to keep me from being too exalted because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given me—a messenger of Satan to buffet me—lest I be exalted above measure.
2Cor.12.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- υπερβολη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αποκαλυψεων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- διο: CONJ
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- υπεραιρωμαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,subj,1,sg
- εδοθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- σκολοψ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αγγελος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Σατανα: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- κολαφιζη: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- υπεραιρωμαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,subj,1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 (structural): Immediate context: Paul's plea about the thorn and God's reply that His grace is sufficient, framing the thorn as means to keep Paul humble and to display divine power in weakness.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 (thematic): Paul catalogues beatings, imprisonments and hardships—other examples of suffering and humiliation he endures, paralleling the thorn as instruments that afflict him and prevent boasting.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18 (allusion): Paul again attributes opposition to Satan ('Satan hindered us'), echoing here the description of the thorn as 'a messenger of Satan' who opposes and frustrates his work.
- Job 1–2 (thematic): Satan acts as an adversary who afflicts a righteous person (with God's permission) to test or humble him—parallel in role and function to the 'angel of Satan' who buffets Paul.
- James 4:6 (thematic): God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble; similarly Paul's thorn functions to prevent exaltation and keep him dependent on God's grace.
Alternative generated candidates
- And to keep me from being exalted above measure because of the surpassing revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given me, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being overweening.
- Concerning this I besought the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2Cor.12.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υπερ: PREP
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- τρις: ADV
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- παρεκαλεσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- αποστη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- απ᾽εμου·: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Matthew 26:39-44 (structural): Jesus prays three times in Gethsemane asking the Father to remove the cup—parallel threefold entreaty to God to take away a burden.
- Mark 14:35-41 (verbal): Mark records Jesus’ repeated petitions (“remove this cup from me”) and threefold prayer, closely paralleling Paul’s thrice-besought plea to the Lord to take away his affliction.
- Luke 22:41-44 (thematic): Luke emphasizes Jesus’ agony, repeated prayer, and strong supplication for deliverance—thematically similar to Paul’s urgent, repeated appeal for relief.
- Hebrews 5:7 (allusion): Describes Christ’s earnest prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to the one who could save him—an analogous motif of intense pleading to God for deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
- But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness."
2Cor.12.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ειρηκεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- μοι·Αρκει: PRON,dat,sg,1+VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μου·η: PRON,gen,sg,1+ART,nom,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- δυναμις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- ασθενεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τελειται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- ηδιστα: ADV
- ουν: CONJ
- μαλλον: ADV
- καυχησομαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- ασθενειαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- ινα: CONJ
- επισκηνωση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- επ᾽εμε: PREP,acc
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δυναμις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 40:29 (allusion): Speaks of God giving strength to the weary and increasing power in the weak—an OT background for the idea that divine strength is given amid human weakness.
- 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 (thematic): Paul describes 'treasure in jars of clay' and suffering that displays God's surpassing power—same epistolary argument that God's power is shown through human frailty.
- Romans 5:3-5 (thematic): Paul says suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope—parallel logic to boasting in weaknesses because trials yield divine life and power.
- Philippians 4:13 (verbal): ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’ succinctly echoes dependence on Christ's sustaining power in weakness.
- Galatians 6:14 (thematic): Paul's refusal to boast except in the cross corresponds to boasting in weaknesses so that Christ's power, not human achievement, is exalted.
Alternative generated candidates
- But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell upon me.
- Therefore I will most gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Cor.12.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- διο: CONJ
- ευδοκω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- ασθενειαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- υβρεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- αναγκαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- διωγμοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- στενοχωριαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υπερ: PREP
- Χριστου·οταν: NOUN,gen,sg,m + CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- ασθενω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τοτε: ADV
- δυνατος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (thematic): Paul contrasts human weakness and divine power: 'treasure in jars of clay' and descriptions of affliction and perseverance echo 2 Cor 12:10's theme that suffering reveals Christ's power and life amid weakness.
- Philippians 4:13 (verbal): 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' expresses the same principle as 'when I am weak, then I am strong'—strength derived from Christ in adversity.
- 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (thematic): God's choice of the weak to shame the strong parallels the theology that divine power is displayed through human weakness, underpinning Paul's boast in his infirmities for Christ's sake.
- 2 Corinthians 11:30 (structural): Immediate corollary in the same letter—'If I must boast, I will boast of the things which show my weakness'—shows Paul intentionally framing weakness as the locus of his apostolic credibility and God's power.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
- For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
I must go on boasting. Though it brings no advantage, I will proceed to speak of visions and revelations of the Lord.
I know a man in Christ—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. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise and heard words not to be spoken by a man.
On behalf of such a one I will boast; but as for myself I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.
For if I would desire to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think of me more highly than what he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given me—a messenger of Satan to buffet me, to keep me from being exalted.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should depart from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.