2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12:1

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

But I restrain myself: it is not expedient, doubtless, for me to glory of those things, which I have done and suffered for Christ and his Church: I will only glance a little at those visions and revelations, wherein they think to overtop me.

2 Corinthians 12:2

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

I know and was acquainted with a man, not in the flesh, so much, as in Christ; which I speak not out of any vain ostentation, but in a sincere respect to the glory of Christ; who, above fourteen years ago, so long have I smothered this revelation of mine, was caught up (whether in body, or in an ecstasy of soul, I know not, God knoweth) into the highest, which is the empyreal heaven, the blessed seat of God and his Saints.

2 Corinthians 12:3

And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

I knew, I say, such a man (whether in body or in ecstasy of spirit, I cannot tell, God knoweth;)

2 Corinthians 12:4

How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for any man to utter.

That he was taken up into that heavenly paradise of God, and there heard and saw unspeakable things; such as he neither may nor can utter.

2 Corinthians 12:5

Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

I will not, out of my modesty, tell you that I was the man; but, of such a man, you will give me leave to glory: as for myself, when my name comes into mention, ye shall not hear me to glory in any thing, but in mine infirmities.

2 Corinthians 12:8

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

Whereupon, I oft and earnestly besought God, that he would be pleased to take off the tempter, and to rid me from that impetuous and troublesome suggestion.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

And he said unto me, Content thyself to struggle a while with this temptation; and know, that it is sufficient, that I do, by my grace, uphold and defend thee from the prevailing thereof: well mayest thou endure to be exercised with it, while I shall safeguard thee by my grace from the danger of it; for, were there not such weaknesses as these, to which frail human flesh is subject, there should not be occasion for me to magnify my power and mercy to men, in giving them strength to overcome, and, in the end, victory: since therefore it is thus, good cause have I, to resolve to glory in mine infirmities; by which the power and goodness of Christ are so much more advanced and glorified.

2 Corinthians 12:10

For when I am weak, then am I strong.

For, when I am weakest in myself, then is God most strong in me, and makes me most strong in him, by that power of faith and patience and holy courage, which he puts into me.

2 Corinthians 12:11

For in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

For, though I be nothing as of myself, yet through the grace of God enabling me, I am not inferior to the very chiefest Apostles, either in my abilities or labours.

2 Corinthians 12:12

Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Truly, there was good proof of my Apostleship amongst you: God gave great and undoubted testimony thereunto, in that marvellous patience which he wrought in me, and in those admirable signs and wonders and miraculous deeds which he wrought by me.

2 Corinthians 12:13

For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

What one point, then, is there, wherein ye Corinthians are inferior to other Churches; seeing your apostle, that converted you, is not below theirs: except perhaps this be the matter; that I, your apostle, was not chargeable to you, as theirs have been: this is a wrong that ye may well forgive.

2 Corinthians 12:14

For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

For, though it be the difference betwixt spiritual and carnal parents, that the spiritual are provided for by their children, whereas the carnal parents provide for their children; yet, I will herein affect to that, which your bodily parents are wont to do, rather to lay up for you, my spiritual children, than to receive any maintenance from you.

2 Corinthians 12:15

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

And I will very gladly, not only lay out my substance, but lay down my life for you; although, I am not requited accordingly; for the more abundantly I love you, the less am I loved again. XII. 16, 17. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? But, though I did not charge you myself; yet my emulous detractors are ready to say, that I dealt craftily with you; for, though I did not burden you in person, yet that I made a prey of you and raised booties from you, by those which I sent unto you.

2 Corinthians 12:19

Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

Again, do ye think that we stand so much upon our excuses, for our own sakes, that we may come clear off from you? no; we speak before God, in Christ, as calling him to witness our sincerity: we do and speak all this for your good and edification.

2 Corinthians 12:20

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not.

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you so free and innocent from these offences, wherewith I have charged you, as I would; and that you shall find me so sharp and severe towards you, as will not be pleasing to you.

2 Corinthians 12:21

And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication &c.

And lest, when I come again to you, my God give me cause of sorrow and humiliation for your unproficiency and manifold disorders; and that I shall be occasioned to grieve and mourn