Paul's Revelations and the Thorn: Strength in Weakness
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1To boast is not profitable; on the other hand I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.2I know a man in Christ fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I do not know, or outside the body, I do not know; God knows—caught up to the third heaven.3And I know such a man—whether in the body or without the body, I do not know; God knows.4That he was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible declarations which it is not permitted for a human to speak.5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in the weaknesses.6For if I should wish to boast, I will not be foolish, for I will speak the truth; yet I refrain, lest anyone credit me with more than what he sees in me or hears from me.7And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, therefore, in order that I might not become conceited, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to beat me, in order that I might not become conceited.8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it might depart from me.9And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with mistreatments, with necessities, with persecutions, and with hardships for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.