THE SECOND EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
CORINTHIANS
2 Corinthians 12 ©
1 The apostle, to show how great cause he has to boast above others, relates how he was drawn up into the third heaven, and there heard what no man can utter. 7 That therefore was given him for his humiliation an angel of Satan which buffeted him. 8 Against which he had besought the Lord thrice, and received answer that God’s grace must be sufficient for him. 10 That therefore he the rather boasts in his infirmity and humility. 11 Excuses himself that he must boast again of the true evidences of his apostleship among them. 12 Of which, not withstanding, they were indeed sensible enough. 14 Testifies that now the third time he will come to them without being burdensome unto them in anything. 16 As neither others sent from him, nor yet Titus, were in anything burdensome unto them. 20 Warns them finally that they amend the faults of contention, high-mindedness, fornication, etc., among them before he comes, that he, to his sorrow, be not necessitated to use his apostolic power upon such.
IT 1is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and 2revelations of the Lord.
Ia knew a man 3in Christ above fourteen years ago, (4whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up 5to the third heaven.
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
How that he was caught up into 6paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man 7to utter.
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but 8in mine infirmities.
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me 9a thorn in the flesh, the 10messenger of Satan tob11buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
For this thing I besought the Lord 12thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, 13My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is 14made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ 15may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: 16for when I am weak, then am I 17strong.
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: forc in nothing am I 18behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be 19nothing.
Trulyd the 20signs of an apostle were 21wrought among you in all patience, 22in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to 23other churches, excepteit be that I myself was 24not burdensome to you? 25forgive me this wrong.
Behold, 26the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: forf I seek 27not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
And I will very gladly 28spend and be spent 29for you; though the moreg abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, 30being crafty, I 31caught you with guile.
Did I make 32a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not 33in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
Again, think ye that we 34excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God 35in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you 36such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such 37as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, 38tumults:
And lest, when I come again, my God will 39humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned 40already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and 41lasciviousness which they have committed.