2 Corinthians 12

1 I must go on [to boast, though it’s not profitable] boasting [in the Lord, to glory]. Although there is [no advantage] nothing to gain, I will go on to [spiritual, supernatural] visions [seen in a spiritual way, revelations from God] and [divine, God-given] revelations [disclosures of truth, secrets from the Lord] from the [supreme, heavenly] Lord. word study 2 I know [am intimately aware of] a man [human being] in Christ [the Anointed One] who fourteen years ago [a period of fourteen years] was caught up [seized] to the third heaven [the spiritual realm]. Whether it was in the body [physical form] or out of it [outside the physical body] I do not know [am unaware], but God [the Supreme Being] knows [is fully aware]. word study 3 And I know [am intimately aware, perceive spiritually] that this man [such a person, a human being]—whether [if, in a condition] in the body [physical form, flesh] or out of it [outside, apart from the physical] I do not know [am unaware, lack understanding], but God [the one true deity, Almighty] knows [is fully aware, has complete insight]— word study 4 was caught up [seized, snatched away] to Paradise [a heavenly garden, future bliss]. The things he heard [listened, understood] were [utterly, completely] too sacred [inexpressible, unspeakable] for words [human language, declarations], things that man [a human being, mortal] is not permitted [lawful, allowed] to tell [speak, utter]. word study 5 I will boast [glory, take pride] about such a man [one like this, a person of this kind], but I will not boast [take pride, glory] about myself [my own abilities, personal strengths], except [unless, only] in my weaknesses [infirmities, frailties, areas of vulnerability]. word study 6 Even if I wanted [desired to glory] to boast [to glory, to take pride], I would not be a fool [foolish, without wisdom], because I would be speaking the truth [saying what is real, uttering reality]. But I refrain [forbear, spare myself], so no one will credit me with more than he sees [perceives, observes] in me or hears [listens to, understands] from me [what I say, my teachings], word study 7 or because of these [exceedingly great, amazingly wonderful] surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming [proud, haughty, lifted up] conceited, I was given a [sharp, pointed] thorn in my flesh, a messenger [angel] of Satan [the adversary, enemy], to torment [buffet, strike] me. word study 8 Three times [thrice, on three separate occasions] I pleaded [besought, begged, called upon] with the Lord [God, the supreme authority] to take [remove, depart] it [this thing, this problem] away from [apart from, out of] me [emyself, the speaker]. word study 9 But He said to me, “My [divine, gracious] grace [unmerited favor, loving-kindness] is sufficient [enough, all I need] for you, for My [miraculous, spiritual] power [ability, strength] is perfected [made complete, fulfilled] in [through, because of] weakness [frailty, humility].” Therefore I will boast [glory, take pride] all the more gladly [with great joy, willingly] in my [personal, spiritual] weaknesses [infirmities, frailties], so that the [miraculous, redeeming] power of Christ [anointed One, Messiah] may rest [dwell, abide] on me. word study 10 That is why [for this reason], for the sake of Christ [the Anointed One], I delight [take pleasure, appreciate] in weaknesses [infirmities, frailties], in insults [mistreatment, reproaches], in hardships [necessities, distresses], in persecutions [cruel attacks, unfair treatment], in difficulties [troubles, anguish]. For when I am weak [feeble, lacking strength], then I am strong [powerful, able, having divine capability]. word study 11 I have become [acted like] a fool [foolish or mindless], but you drove [compelled, forced] me to it. In fact, you should have commended [recommended, spoken well of] me, since I am in no way [none] inferior [come short, lacking] to those [the] “super-apostles [above or exceeding],” even though I am [to be or exist] nothing [none]. word study 12 The true marks [signs, indications] of an apostle [delegate, messenger of Jesus Christ]—signs [supernatural indications], wonders [miraculous events, marvels], and miracles [mighty deeds, powerful works]—were performed [worked out, accomplished] among you [in your midst, to you] with great perseverance [patient endurance, steadfastness, patiently waiting]. word study 13 In what way [in what aspect or regard] were you inferior [made lesser, overcome] to the other churches, except that I was not [not in any way] a burden [weighing you down, making you feel lazy] to you? Forgive me [show me kindness, grant me pardon] this wrong [unrighteousness, moral injustice]! word study 14 See [behold, take notice], I am ready [prepared, willing] to come to you a third [the third time] time, and I will not be a burden [weigh you down, be a hindrance], because I am not seeking [looking for, desiring] your possessions [material goods, wealth], but you [your hearts, your love]. For children [born to parents] should not have to save up [store up, lay up] for their parents [fathers and mothers], but parents [fathers and mothers] for their children [sons and daughters]. word study 15 And for the sake [benefit, well-being] of your souls [the breath of life, seat of emotions], I will most gladly [with great pleasure, willingly] spend [use up, expend] my money and myself [be spent, exhausted]. If I love [show esteem, goodwill] you more [excessively, abundantly], will you love [show affection, esteem] me less [to a lesser degree, inadequately]? word study 16 Be that as it may [let it be so], I was not a burden [weighing you down] to you; but crafty [skilled, cunning] as I am, I caught [took, received] you by trickery [deceit, guile]. word study 17 Did I [take advantage of, make a gain of] exploit you by anyone [any one of them, someone] I sent [dispatched, set apart] you [towards you, with you] [through or because of]? word study 18 I urged [exhorted, pleaded with] Titus [a Christian and disciple of Paul] to visit you, and I sent our brother [a fellow Christian, a male sibling] with him. Did Titus [take advantage of] exploit you in any way? Did we not walk [live, follow] in the same Spirit [the vital principle, mental disposition] and follow in the same footsteps [tracks, paths]? word study 19 Have you been thinking [supposing, having an opinion] all along that we were making a defense [excusing ourselves, giving an account] to you? We speak [utter words, declare] before God [in the presence of the Almighty] in Christ [the Anointed One, our Lord], and all of this [everything we do], beloved [dearly loved, cherished], is to build you up [for your edification, spiritual growth]. word study 20 For I am afraid [deeply concerned, have a fear] that when I come [arrive, visit], I may not find you as I wish [desire, hope], and you may not find me as you wish [expect, desire]. I fear [am anxious, have a concern] that there may be [possibly exist, perhaps be present] quarreling [strife, debates], jealousy [envy, rivalry], rage [wrath, intense anger], rivalry [ambition, selfish desire], slander [evil-speaking, backbiting], gossip [whisperings, secret talk], arrogance [haughtiness, pride], and disorder [confusion, tumult]. word study 21 I am afraid [deeply concerned, anxious] that when I come again [return, visit], my God [the one true deity, Creator] will humble [lower in pride, bring down] me before you, and I will be grieved [sorrowful, mournful] over many [a large number, numerous] who have sinned [committed wrong, transgressed] earlier [previously, before] and have not repented [changed their mind, turned away] of their acts [deeds, behaviors] of impurity [uncleanness, moral filth], sexual immorality [fornication, indecency], and debauchery [lasciviousness, wantonness]. word study