2 Corinthians

Revelations and Weaknesses

Boasting is pointless; but if I must, I will share some visions and revelations from the Lord.

I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago was taken up to the third heaven.

Whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows. But I know that this man, whether in the body or out of the body —I do not know, God knows—

was taken up to Paradise where he heard words that cannot be told: things that humans cannot express.

I can indeed boast about that man, but I will not boast about myself except regarding my weaknesses.

If I were to boast, it wouldn’t be foolish because I would be speaking the truth.

However, I should give up, lest someone think more of me than what is visible or heard from me. To prevent pride after so many extraordinary revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a true messenger of Satan, to slap me in the face.

Three times I begged the Lord to take it away,

but he answered, ‘My grace is enough for you; my strength is made perfect in weakness.’

Therefore, I will gladly boast of my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. I rejoice in my infirmities, humiliations, needs, and persecutions—everything for Christ! Because when I am weak, then I am strong.

Ministry in Corinth

I have acted foolishly, but you forced me to do so. You should have been the ones praising me. Yet I do not feel inferior to those super-apostles,

even though I consider myself nothing. All the signs of a true apostle are evident in me: patience through every trial, signs, miracles, and wonders.

In what way were you not treated like the other churches? Only in this: I was not a burden to you— please, forgive me for this fault!

For the third time, I plan to visit you, and I will not be a burden. I am not interested in what you have, only in you. Children should not have to collect money for their parents, but parents for their children.

As for me, I am ready to give everything I have and even myself for all of you. If I love you so much, should I be loved less?

Well, I was not a burden to you, but was it not a trick to deceive you?

Did I take money from you through any of my messengers?

I asked Titus to go to you, and I sent another brother with him. But did Titus take money from you? Have we not both acted in the same spirit?

Perhaps you think that we are apologizing again, but no: we speak in Christ and before God, and I do this for you, dear friends, to build you up.

I fear that if I go and visit you, I might not find you as I would wish, and you, in turn, might not find me to your liking. I might see rivalries, envy, grudges, disputes, slanders, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Let it not be that, when I come to you again, God humbles me because of you, and I have to grieve over so many of you who live in sin, seeing that they have not yet given up an impure way of living, their wicked conduct, and the vices they formerly practiced.