April 12, 2022
OUCH!
2 Corinthians 12
Richard Kirk
Central Truth
Pride tells us we are self-sufficient and strong enough on our own; but Jesus wants us to depend on Him instead, and He provides the grace we need to do so.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 12:7, 9
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. . . . But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12
Paul's Visions and His Thorn
1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, 1 12:7 Or hears from me, even because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 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.
Concern for the Corinthian Church
11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
Footnotes
[1] 12:7 Or hears from me, even because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 12
OUCH! I enjoy plants and gardening, but I do not like the pain or irritation caused by a thorn from a rose bush or cactus. Thorns are NOT pleasant. When Paul refers to a thorn in the flesh in 2 Corinthians 12:7, he called it "a messenger of Satan." Sounds painful and irritating to me.
I remember reading and focusing on these words of 2 Corinthians 12:9 in my red-letter edition of the Bible: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." But lately my focus has shifted to 2 Corinthians 12:7: "So to keep me from becoming conceited . . . a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited."
The Bible does not identify Paul's thorn—which is probably a good thing, so we don't focus on a specific physical, emotional, or spiritual affliction. Instead, the verse focuses on what the thorn accomplishes: ensuring his humility! The phrase "to keep me from becoming conceited" is also translated "to keep me from becoming proud, arrogant, exalting myself, or thinking of myself as important." And the word/phrase is even repeated in the same verse because it appears two times in the Greek text! What do you think God is emphasizing here? OUCH!
When I started re:generation (Watermark's spiritual recovery ministry), I acknowledged my "big, visible" sin: acting out on same-sex attraction. Working through the steps in re:generation, I quickly saw that pride was a much larger (and more easily hidden and ignored) sin issue in my life. A friend suggested that my struggle might be my thorn in the flesh. In my mind, I was screaming, "No! I don't want it to be that!" Over time, I began to consider the possibility that my friend was correct and that, as a Christ follower, my struggle definitely keeps me dependent on Him, keeping my pride and arrogance in check.
His grace IS more than sufficient! His power IS more evident in my weakness!
Discussion Questions
1. What do you find yourself depending on besides Jesus and His grace?
2. Do you have a "thorn in the flesh"? What do you think it might be? How does it keep you humble and dependent on His grace?
3. How has Jesus shown you that His grace is sufficient? How has His power been seen in your weakness(es)?
4. What weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, or calamities are you content with for the sake of Christ? What weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, or calamities are you not content with for the sake of Christ?