2 Corinthians 12:1-18.
2 Corinthians 12:1-18
Visions from the Lord
"I have to brag. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I must brag
about the visions and other things that the Lord has shown me. I know
about one of Christ's followers who was taken up into the third heaven
fourteen years ago. I don't know if the man was still in his body when
it happened, but God certainly knows.
As I said, only God really knows if this man was in his body at the
time. But he was taken up into paradise, where he heard things that
are too wonderful to tell. I will brag about that man, but not about
myself, except to say how weak I am.
Yet even if I did brag, I would not be foolish. I would simply be
speaking the truth. But I will try not to say too much. That way, none
of you will think more highly of me than you should because of what
you have seen me do and say. Of course, I am now referring to the
wonderful things I saw. One of Satan's angels was sent to make me
suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud. Three times I
begged the Lord to make this suffering go away. But he replied, "My
kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So
if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak
I am. Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have
troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak,
I am strong.
Paul's Concern for the Lord's Followers at Corinth
I have been making a fool of myself. But you forced me to do it, when
you should have been speaking up for me. I may be nothing at all, but
I am as good as those super apostles. When I was with you, I was
patient and worked all the powerful miracles and signs and wonders of
a true apostle. You missed out on only one blessing that the other
churches received. That is, you didn't have to support me. Forgive me
for doing you wrong. I am planning to visit you for the third time.
But I still won't make a burden of myself. What I really want is you,
and not what you have. Children are not supposed to save up for their
parents, but parents are supposed to take care of their children. So
I will gladly give all that I have and all that I am. Will you love me
less for loving you too much? You agree that I wasn't a burden to
you. Maybe that's because I was trying to catch you off guard and
trick you. Were you cheated by any of those I sent to you? I urged
Titus to visit you, and I sent another follower with him. But Titus
didn't cheat you, and we felt and behaved the same way he did."
God bless you.
Visions from the Lord
"I have to brag. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I must brag
about the visions and other things that the Lord has shown me. I know
about one of Christ's followers who was taken up into the third heaven
fourteen years ago. I don't know if the man was still in his body when
it happened, but God certainly knows.
As I said, only God really knows if this man was in his body at the
time. But he was taken up into paradise, where he heard things that
are too wonderful to tell. I will brag about that man, but not about
myself, except to say how weak I am.
Yet even if I did brag, I would not be foolish. I would simply be
speaking the truth. But I will try not to say too much. That way, none
of you will think more highly of me than you should because of what
you have seen me do and say. Of course, I am now referring to the
wonderful things I saw. One of Satan's angels was sent to make me
suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud. Three times I
begged the Lord to make this suffering go away. But he replied, "My
kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So
if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak
I am. Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have
troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak,
I am strong.
Paul's Concern for the Lord's Followers at Corinth
I have been making a fool of myself. But you forced me to do it, when
you should have been speaking up for me. I may be nothing at all, but
I am as good as those super apostles. When I was with you, I was
patient and worked all the powerful miracles and signs and wonders of
a true apostle. You missed out on only one blessing that the other
churches received. That is, you didn't have to support me. Forgive me
for doing you wrong. I am planning to visit you for the third time.
But I still won't make a burden of myself. What I really want is you,
and not what you have. Children are not supposed to save up for their
parents, but parents are supposed to take care of their children. So
I will gladly give all that I have and all that I am. Will you love me
less for loving you too much? You agree that I wasn't a burden to
you. Maybe that's because I was trying to catch you off guard and
trick you. Were you cheated by any of those I sent to you? I urged
Titus to visit you, and I sent another follower with him. But Titus
didn't cheat you, and we felt and behaved the same way he did."
God bless you.
Comments