Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

II Corinthians 12

The Vision of Paradise

II Corinthians 12:¹ It is (necessary, though not profitable, to boast) doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:

II Corinthians 12:² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

• The Third Heaven. God resides in the “Highest of Heavens”.

II Corinthians 12:³ And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—

II Corinthians 12:⁴ how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

• Paradise: G3857 Paradeisos: Other Reference Verses of the same Greek Word:
  
  • Luke 23:43 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
    
  • Revelation 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
    
• Where is “Paradise”?
  
  • According to Revelation 2:7, it is where the Tree of Life is.
  • The leaves of the Tree are for the healing of the nations in Revelation chapter 22.
    • The Fig Leaves are the Jews (who have prophetically returned to Jerusalem) in Matthew 24:32 and Mark 13:28.
  • It is the place where there is no more curse; Genesis 3:17 and Revelation 22:3.
    
• Where is the Tree of Life?
  • Revelation 2:7: it is in the midst of the Paradise of God.
  • Genesis 2:9 … The Tree of Life was also in the midst of the garden …
    
• Strong’s Definition of G3857: an Eden (place of future happiness, “paradise”)
  • The Garden of Eden: gan ʿēḏen (Genesis 2:15)
    
• How was Paul “caught up” to Paradise?
  • One can speculate that there is a Garden of Eden in heaven much like the Garden of Eden on earth. (Just like the temple on earth was made from the template of the one in heaven. See: About Quantum Study Bible and the Quantum Physics of “Entanglement”)
    
• This is the place Jesus told the repentant thief they would be at their deaths.

II Corinthians 12:⁵ Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.

II Corinthians 12:⁶ For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

II Corinthians 12:⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn (curse/infirmity) in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to (beat) buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

II Corinthians 12:⁸ Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

II Corinthians 12:⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

II Corinthians 12:¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

• When I take the one-down position then I am lifted up.
• Strength comes from repeated resistance.

Signs of an Apostle

II Corinthians 12:¹¹ I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.

II Corinthians 12:¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

II Corinthians 12:¹³ For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Love for the Church

II Corinthians 12:¹⁴ Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

II Corinthians 12:¹⁵ And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

• Imagine: The more you love another, the less that person will return that love, perhaps mistaking kindness for weakness.

II Corinthians 12:¹⁶ But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!

II Corinthians 12:¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

II Corinthians 12:¹⁸ I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

II Corinthians 12:¹⁹ Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you (You have been thinking for a long time that we excuse ourselves)? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

II Corinthians 12:²⁰ For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;

1. Contentions
2. Jealousies
3. Outbursts of Wrath
4. Selfish Ambitions
   
   • Backbiting
   • Whisperings (gossip)
   • Conceits (ego)
   • Tumults

• Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
  • Fornication
  • Uncleanness
  • Passion
  • Evil Desire
  • Covetousness (Idolatry)

• Matthew 15:18-20 Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. ²⁰ These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

1. Evil Thoughts
2. Murders
3. Adulteries
4. Fornications
5. Thefts
6. False Witness (lies)
7. Blasphemies

II Corinthians 12:²¹ lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

• To repent means to stop sinning and start not sinning.
• Change your direction. Make a “You-Turn”!”
  • From: DMVCheatSheets
    “Making a U-turn is one of the main driving maneuvers that every driver should acquaint themselves with. It’s not difficult to make a U-turn; you just need to put in lots of practice to master it to perfection.
    … complete your left-handed 180-degree turn driving in the opposite direction in the RIGHT lane, traveling in the opposite direction from which you started.”
• It does not mean simply feeling bad, saying “Sorry”, and ritualistic confessing of sins.

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