II Corinthians Chapter 12 1~~ It is necessary for me to keep on boasting . . . but there is nothing to be gained by it.   {nothing in it for Paul . . . but is gain for us today!} I will now arrive in the direction of visions   {optasia - learning doctrine while awake} . . . even revelations   {apokalupsis - direct teaching from the Lord} from the source of the Lord. {Note: The 'minor inconveniences' {shipwrecks etc.} Paul has mentioned so far are not even a good start. Now Paul is starting to get to 'the good stuff'!} 2~~I knew 'a man in Christ' fourteen years ago . . . (whether in the body or whether out of the body I do not know . . . God knows!) such a one received lifting up to the third heaven. {Note: This is 57AD. Paul was stoned in Lystra in 43 AD. Paul learned so much by visions/optasia in life that when was stoned to death, he thought he was experiencing optasia again. Dying Grace means death for us will be like an optasia experience.} {Note: 1st heaven is our atmosphere. 2nd heaven is the abode of the angels. 3rd heaven is the abode of God.} 3~~Again . . . I knew such a man . . . (whether in the body, or apart from the body . . . I cannot tell . . . God knows!). {Note: Paul repeats this on purpose to let them know it was not a mistake! They heard him right! See Acts 14:19 for Paul being stoned . . . which may have been to death - God knows!} 4~~How that he was snatched up to paradise . . . and heard 'speakings which may not be spoken' {oxymoron} . . . it is not lawful for a man to utter these things. {Note: The Paradise up to the Church Age has been cleared out and the Old Testament saints moved with Christ to the Third Heaven or 'the new Paradise' - so this is a synonym for the Third Heaven. While there Paul learned many doctrines God did not permit him to tell us!} 5~~On behalf of such a one I will boast/glory . . . yet on behalf of myself I will not boast   {note apparent contradiction!} . . . but in mine infirmities. {Note: Paul is ecstatic about what he learned in heaven that he can not share . . . but being human he is subject to becoming fat-headed. So God will bring Paul back down to the reality that all is by the Grace of God!} 6~~For if I desire to boast - maybe I do, maybe I do not - (I am not . . . and never will be a fool) I will communicate the truth.   {that which is compatible with doctrine} But I refrain . . . lest any one should make a character estimate of me above that which he sees me to be or that he hears of me. {Note: Paul came from a very legalistic background as a Pharisee. Boasting is NOT really a problem sin with him. He is using 'boasting' to benefit the Corinthians - case of being all things to all men. In this verse, Paul is saying the false teachers ARE fools. But once he pulls the Corinthians out of reversionism, the danger is for them to get their eyes on Paul NOT on the Lord! All Grace centers in Jesus Christ!} 7~~Therefore, for the purpose that I should be not arrogant by means of the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me - for my benefit - a thorn in the flesh . . . an angel from the source of Satan . . . that he might keep on 'punching' me . . . that I might not be arrogant. {Note: Paul knew more doctrine than anyone else and it could become a source of arrogance for him. Satan was permitted by God to have a fallen angel keep Paul in pain.} [Note: This verse was Paul's great test where God once more demonstrated that "His Grace is sufficient". That means once we are saved by faith, we can then apply that faith to learning His Divine Viewpoint through the study of the Word. Then if you operate on that Divine Viewpoint, you are applying His thinking to all situations and He will enable you to endure.] {Unanswered Prayers of temporary disorientation with Grace} 8~~On behalf of this thing   {the thorn in the flesh} I began to fervently pray to the Lord three times . . . for the purpose that it might stand off from me. {Note: This is the example of a prayer that will NOT be answered. From the extreme pain, Paul forgot to rely on doctrine in his soul.} {Back in orientation with Grace - rely on doctrine in your soul} 9a~~And He had communicated to me - in the past with results that continue today- - for my advantage - "My grace produces contentment/sufficiency {arkeo} for you" . . . for 'the power [of God]' {dunamis} is fulfilled by means of helplessness/weakness. 9b~~With the greatest of pleasure . . . to the highest degree . . . I will boast dogmatically in the sphere of the helplessnesses/weaknesses . . . that the power of Christ may be bivouacked on me. {Note: Since these were communicated to Paul in the past, we know that he was back oriented to using the doctrine resident in his soul.} {Note: Arkeo means sufficiency but in the dative case as the object of the verb, it is much stronger and means contentment. "My Grace is sufficient for you . . ." is a true statement, but this verse is actually even stronger. Once you take in doctrine you realize how 'weak' you really are and come to rely totally on the Lord and then the Power of God can pour into you!} {Drawing on the inner resources in the Super-Grace Life} 10~~Because of which   {Super-Grace life} I take pleasure: in helplessnesses/weaknesses   {stimulates use of (1)} . . . in insults and maligning   {challenges to RMA (3)} . . . in pressure from needs   {lack of details of life- (2)} . . . in persecutions   {legalistic and religious pressures - stimulates use of (4)} . . . and in anguishes on behalf of Christ.   {stimulates +H (5)} {Result clause} For on the occasion when I am helpless - then at that time - - and only at that time - I keep on being strong {dunatos}. {Note: These are 5 areas of suffering where the Super-Grace functions through the Edification Complex of the Soul (doctrine resident in your soul). (1) Grace Orientation (2) Mastery of the Details of Life (3) Relaxed Mental Attitude of Agape Love (4) Capacity for Love and (5) Sharing the Happiness of God (+H).} {Note: Dunatos actually is used for the 'dynamics of the Super-Grace Life' - using Grace Resources in times of maximum suffering - and this brings Glory to the Lord Jesus Christ!} 11~~ I have become unwise . . . you have compelled me! For actually, I ought to have been commended by you . . . for . . . not in one thing . . . was I inferior to the 'super' apostles   {the Judaizers} . . . though I keep on being nothing and I am nothing. {Note: Paul is one of greatest men who ever lived, but he is nothing. Only GOD is anything! All we have and are is by the Grace of God! He is saying he should be focusing attention on God, but he has to be unwise and focus attention on himself and he does not like it but they made him do it!} 12~~Indeed the evidences of an Apostle were produced among you in the sphere of all fortitude and perseverance . . . by signs, and by means of miracles, and by means of powers.   {3 evidences} 13~~For in what way   {idiomatic translation} were you treated in an inferior manner beyond the rest of the churches? {Paul answers his own question} Except that I . . . myself . . . did not become a moocher to you? Grace me out {'charizomai' - forgive me} for this injustice! {Note: Deep sarcasm. Did Paul treat them poorly by NOT taking their money as the false teachers did? Well, SORRRRRRYYY! Paul GAVE them as much {doctrine} as he gave the other churches. He just did NOT TAKE MONEY because he thought it would cloud the issue of Christ. The last sentence is 'double sarcasm'. Paul uses charizomai which come from ' charis' which means grace.} 14~~Behold {new subject}, this third time I am holding myself in readiness to come face to face with you . . . and I will not be a burden/moocher to you. For I keep on not seeking yours {their money} . . . but you! For children   {teknon - also means 'student'} are not obligated to save and support the parents . . . but the parents are obligated for the children. {Note: Paul's first visit was in Acts Chapter 18. Paul was ready to go again in II Corinthians Chapter 1 15-17 but that trip was cancelled in 1:23. Now Paul is 'ready' the third time, but it would be his second visit! And, though they are rich, they have nothing Paul wants from them. Another insult to them. They want to give financially but are so weak spiritually they are not ready to give. It is time for them to RECEIVE not give!} 15~~Moreover, with the greatest of pleasure, I will exhaust myself   {in studying and teaching} to the point of being destroyed on behalf of your souls. And, though I love you more intensely - and I do - the less I am loved.   {example of True Love} {Note: True love does not even require a response. All impersonal love is based on who and what you - the SUBJECT of your love - are . . . not what the object of your love is. Only God is perfect enough for your love to be based on the OBJECT of your love - Personal love for God.} 16~~However, 'let it go' {idiom}, I did not become a burden to you. But, existing as/being crafty, I trapped you with deceitful bait!   {with trickery - more sarcasm} {Note: The idiom here basically means that Paul was saying that in reversionism, the Corinthians would not have known what he meant in the previous sentence. But Paul was writing this for us also and we can understand what he was saying!} 17~~Was there any one of those whom I had sent face to face with you through whom I took advantage of you? Definitely NOT!   {'NO' answer required by Greek negative 'me (may)'} 18~~I commanded Titus and I sent with him the brother.   {Luke or the unnamed other believer} Did Titus take advantage of you? No. Did we not Walk by means of the same Spirit? Yes. Did we not Walk by means of the same steps? Yes.  {Same motus operendi - neither took advantage of the Corinthians.} {Note: When Paul came he did NOT take an offering. When Titus came, he DID take an offering. But, both were operating on the same principal - Grace! Paul had the right to take a collection, but so that money would not be the issue so he did not. They were saved when Titus came so it would be WRONG NOT to take an offering and not provide the believers in fellowship from having the opportunity to give in grace. This would be a 'burden' to those believers in grace. So, Titus took an offering and was not a burden to them. Now they are in reversionism, so if Paul comes back he says will NOT take a collection again - he would be a burden - they are NOT in Grace as he writes this.} 19~~All of this time you have been thinking subjectively {presuming} . . . that 'we are defending ourselves to you'? No. We keep on communicating   {teaching doctrine} 'in the sphere of . . . instead of . . . according to the norm and standard of . . . God' {katenopion} in Christ.   {we are all believers} And more over . . . The All Things   {emphasis on the message of his teaching}, beloved ones, {ARE TAUGHT} for the furtherance of your edification complex.   {oikodome - an edifying structure} {Note: No verb in this last sentence gives great emphasis to the missing verb (are taught). This is elliptical sentence structure. In English 'YOU DUMMY' is much stronger then 'You are a dummy.' {Note: Katenopion - is three prepositional phrases combined into one adverb. If you know what it means, then 'in the sight of God' can be used. I left in the literal translation.} Continued ************************************************** This page is sponsored by Kenneth Sidley, CPA, an Orange County California CPA (949) 706-3133. Please call Ken for high quality, low cost CPA services in Orange County California. This includes audit, review, compilation, tax returns, Quickbooks, and business consulting services. This page is sponsored by Moxxor For Pain Free Living. Moxxor is a highly concentrated Omega 3 product that has reduced inflammation in this writer. Please go to this website to read more about Moxxor.