1 I must boast, but nothing is gained by it. But I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago who—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows—was caught up into the third heaven. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred for anyone to say. 5 On behalf of such a person I will boast. But on behalf of myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. 6 If I should choose to boast, I will not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I will keep from boasting, so that no one will think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me. 7 To keep me from boasting because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger from Satan to afflict me—so I would not become overly proud. 8 Three times I begged the Lord about this, for him to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I would much rather boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ might reside on me. 10 Therefore I am content for Christ's sake in weaknesses, in insults, in troubles, in persecutions and distressing situations. For whenever I am weak, then I am strong. 11 I have become a fool! You forced me to this, for I should have been praised by you. For I was not at all inferior to the so-called super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The true signs of an apostle were performed among you with complete patience, signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 13 For how were you less important than the rest of the churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me for this wrong! 14 Look! I am ready to come to you a third time. I will not be a burden to you, for I do not want what is yours. I want you. For children should not save up for the parents. Instead, the parents should save up for the 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 as it is, I did not burden you. But, since I am so crafty, I am the one who caught you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you, and I sent the other brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same way? Did we not walk in the same steps? 19 Do you think all of this time we have been defending ourselves to you? In the sight of God, we have in Christ been saying everything for your strengthening. 20 For I fear that when I come I may not find you as I wish. I fear that you might not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, rivalries, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come back, my God might humble me before you. I fear that I might be grieved by many of those who have sinned before now, and who did not repent of the impurity and sexual immorality and lustful indulgence that they practiced.
2 Corinthians · Unlocked Literal Bible
2 Corinthians 12 Unlocked Literal Bible
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Cross references (20)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Galatians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 John 5:20; Acts 22:17–21; 1 Corinthians 10:23
- 2 Acts 22:17; Ezekiel 8:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 4:2; 2 Corinthians 11:11
- 4 Luke 23:43; Revelation 2:7; Ezekiel 31:9
- 5 2 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Corinthians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
- 6 2 Corinthians 11:16; 2 Corinthians 10:8–10; 2 Corinthians 11:31; 2 Corinthians 12:11; 2 Corinthians 12:7
- 7 Numbers 33:55; Judges 2:3; 2 Chronicles 32:25–26; Galatians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 5:5
- 8 Hebrews 5:7; Matthew 26:39–44; 1 Samuel 15:11; 2 Samuel 12:16–18; Psalm 77:2–11
- 9 Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Isaiah 40:29–31; Ephesians 3:16; Joshua 1:9
- 10 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 6:10; Romans 5:3; 2 Corinthians 13:4; James 1:2
- 11 2 Corinthians 11:5; 2 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Corinthians 15:8–10; Ephesians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 3:22
- 12 Romans 15:18–19; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Corinthians 14:18; John 4:48; 1 Corinthians 9:1–2
- 13 1 Corinthians 9:6; 1 Corinthians 9:12; 2 Corinthians 11:7–9; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Corinthians 9:15–18
- 14 Proverbs 19:14; Genesis 24:35–36; 1 Corinthians 10:33; Proverbs 13:22; Genesis 31:14–15
- 15 1 Thessalonians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 1:6; Philippians 2:17; Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 2:10
- 16 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 7:2; 2 Corinthians 10:2–3; 2 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 11:9–10
- 17 1 Corinthians 16:10; 2 Kings 5:16; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 12:18; 2 Corinthians 9:5
- 18 2 Corinthians 8:6; Romans 4:12; 2 Corinthians 7:6; Philippians 2:19–22; 2 Corinthians 7:2
- 19 Romans 9:1; 1 Corinthians 14:26; 2 Corinthians 10:8; 1 Corinthians 10:14; Philippians 4:1
- 20 1 Peter 2:1; Galatians 5:19–21; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 1:11; Jude 16
- 21 2 Corinthians 13:2; Colossians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 5:9–11; 1 Peter 4:2–3; Revelation 21:8
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
What is this? Doth he who has spoken such great things say, [It is not expedient] "doubtless to glory?" as if he had said nothing?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 12 (1889)
For that there are spiritual creatures in the heavens, all the Scriptures loudly proclaim; and Paul expressly testifies that there are spiritual things when he declares that he was caught up into the third heaven, and again, that he was carried away to paradise, and heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
… ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God; and expressing not only his sorrow, but bitter lamentation over some who had formally sinned and had not repented of their uncleanness and fornications. If these emotions and affections, arising as they do from the love of what is …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
… when in much danger and affliction, often besought God that the temptations might depart from him: nevertheless God regarded not his request, but his profit, and to signify this He said, "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." So that before He hath told him the reason, He benefits him against his will, …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
For Peter was there, who carrieth the keys of heaven: and nothing wonderful, for Paul was there, who was caught up to the third heaven, and into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful far a man to utter.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)