2 Corinthians 12:1-10 - Paradise and Pain

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

The Vision of Paradise

1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 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. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 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

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. 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.

The seeming paradox of paradise coming through the pain of suffering makes sense when the focus is put on Christ and His gospel and taken off ourselves and our comfort.  Paul had seen wonderful things by God similar to the prophets of old and John on Patmos.  This vision of paradise in heaven is one we know of with the other being seeing the risen Lord on his journey towards Damascus (Acts 9:27, 15-16) with the commission to preach the gospel and also suffer for His name’s sake.  Paul seems to distance himself from this, however, and chooses to boast in the Lord and not the experience because that would put the glory on him instead of the Glorious One.  He did not desire that anyone look up to him and miss looking higher to the Lord Jesus Christ.  This same messenger of the Lord took pleasure in his weakness since then he knew his real strength came from Christ.  He welcomed the messenger of the adversary who attacked him with some malady we only know as a thorn in his flesh as an allowance from God to keep him humble and reliant on the grace of his Lord instead of his own strength or abilities.  This is why he chose to boast in the suffering and not claim healing as a way out of what made him a true servant of the Lord, a good reminder for those who now say we must always be free of sickness and suffering to have faith.  This is erroneous doctrine is opposed to the scriptures as we read here.  When we have sickness, attacks, needs, persecution, and distress for our testimony of the good news of Jesus we honor Him in these for His name’s sake and glory in our lowly state.  We should echo John the Baptist in acknowledging that we must always decrease that He may increase as we serve our Lord.  There is pain in the prelude to paradise that God alone may be magnified and honored above all others!