2 Corinthians 11:32-12:10

Paul continues to present his ministry credentials.  In this passage he speaks of 3 specific situations that demonstrate his validity as a servant of Christ.

·        11:32-33: Paul’s amazing escape from Damascus.  This is recorded in Acts 9:22-25.  From the time Paul was saved on the road to Damascus he began to preach Christ.  Perhaps he mentions this story here because it was his first encounter with persecution.  This would have been the time to turn back if he did not truly belong to the Lord.  He was faithful and God delivered him.

·        12:1-6: Paul’s heavenly contact with the risen Christ.  An apostle is one who had been with and speaks for Christ (Mark 3:13-15; Acts 1:21-22).  Paul, of course, had not been part of the earthly ministry of Christ and was not at the upper room to hear Christ’s words to his disciples (John 13-17).  But he had heard from Christ in:

o   Visions, including …

Þ   The Macedonian call, Acts 16:9-10.

Þ   The encouragement at Corinth, Acts 18:9-10.

Þ   The command to leave Jerusalem and go to the Gentiles, Ac. 22:17-21.

Þ   The promise to go to Rom, Acts 23:11.

o   Revelations, which he describes in these verses.

Þ   When he says “I know a man”, he is referring to himself, but in a way so as not to seem proud.

Þ   His experience was very real, though he was not sure if he had been in the Spirit or actually in heaven in his body.

Þ   The third heaven, after the heaven where the birds fly (Gen. 8:2), and the heaven containing stars and planets (Gen. 15:5), is the heaven of God’s throne (Rev. 4-5) or Paradise (Rev. 2:7).

Þ   Some of what he heard he could not express.  This may refer to glories of heaven which God forbids to be told.  Remember that Christ never went into detail about heaven during His earthly ministry.

·        12:7-10: Paul’s thorn in the flesh.  Having experienced such amazing things God gave Paul some sort of a problem that would keep him from being exalted beyond what was proper.  The nature of this thorn is not stated.  What we do know is that it was quite bothersome to Paul.  He asked God to remove it on 3 different occasions.  The Lord’s answer is the point of all that Paul has been saying about his infirmities: My grace is sufficient for you; for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  Thus the apostle is able to take pleasure in his weaknesses for he knows them to be the best opportunity to honor God.

What effect do reproaches, needs, persecutions or distresses have on your service for Christ?  Do they tend to hinder your love and life for Him?  Do they cause you to complain to God?  Or, as you yield to Christ, do you find them to be your best opportunity to bear fruit for Him?  May it be so today!