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Suffering (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
John Low, 25 June 2017
Part of the Defending the Faith series, Sunday Evening service
Paul experienced many extreme hardships which he survived, allowing him to continue his important work among the early churches. But he then describes a mysterious ‘thorn in the flesh’ which remained however much he asked God to remove it. Paul didn’t lack faith in his asking, God didn’t lack power to respond, but Paul discovered that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Unity & Spiritual Gifts | Unity in the body | Come as you are! » |
2 Corinthians 12:1–10 (Listen)
12:1 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, 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.
(ESV)