ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FRIENDS, 2 Corinthians 12, Saturday, March 15, 2025

          

Context for Chapter 12

2 Corinthians 12 follows Paul's sarcastic ''boasting'' about his suffering for Christ. The chapter continues with Paul refusing to take credit for an astounding revelation from God. Given a ''thorn in the flesh'' to keep him humble, Paul learned to be content with his suffering since God's power was made perfect in his weakness. Still, the Corinthians should have defended him to the false apostles and not believed lies about him swindling money from them with no evidence. He is concerned that when he comes to visit them, he will find some still unrepentant of specific sins. This leads Paul to his final warnings and the close of his letter in chapter 13. (https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/12/2-Corinthians-chapter-12.html)

Paul's Vision & the Thorn in His Flesh, Verses 1-10, KITTY

1 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I[a] was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up[b] to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell. 5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

1. Why "must" Paul go on boasting?

2. What is the "third" heaven?

3. Why might God have given Paul this vision experience?

4. What might have been God's motivation for allowing the thorn in Paul's flesh to remain?

5. Can you share an example of a time in your life when God has used a difficult situation to keep you humble? 

6. Application: This passage should encourage us. Even when we face difficulties and trials, or even spiritual attacks, we can be sure that God has a divine purpose in allowing it. God will not allow one hair of our heads to be harmed apart from His purpose. So we should be confident to stand up to any spiritual attack knowing that God is with us and will use even oppositon to build up us and His kingdom. (Source: studyandobey.com)

7. How did God answer Paul's persistent prayer that he take away the thorn?

Paul's Concern for the Corinthians, Part 1, Verses 11-16, TEANNIE

11 You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. 12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. 13 The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong! 14 Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. 15 I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me. 16 Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

8. How had the Corinthians forced Paul to be a fool?

9. Do signs and wonders always prove the truth of the message given?

10. What motivated Paul to serve the Corinthians?

Paul's Concern for the Corinthians, Part 2, Verses 17-21, DESTINY

 17 But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? 18 When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way. 19 Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 21 Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

11. What was Paul concerned about finding in the church when he returned? 

12. How might Paul be humbled before them on a return trip?

13. Reflection: What can you learn from Paul's attitude toward the Corinthians?

14. Application: It should be the desire of every parent, teacher, and minister to be able to truthfully say the same thing, that we are doing "all for your upbuilding." Evaluate your own relationships. Is your parenting all for the growth of your children? Is your ministry in the church all for the growth of the flock? (Source: studyandobey.com)

                                            

                                               Confessions for 2 Corinthians, Chapter 12

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (2 Corinthians 12:7)

Heavenly Father, thank You for the life and ministry of Paul and the wonderful truths that are contained in his many epistles. I pray that, with Your grace, I would be kept from prideful thoughts and ungodly actions. Keep me low at the Cross, walking in humble obedience - and thank You, Father, that Your grace is sufficient. Thank You that Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. May my life be a living testimony to Your goodness and grace. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

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

(2 Corinthians 12:8)

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great goodness, and thank You that Your grace is sufficient to bring me through whatever difficulties, dangers, persecution, or pain I may be called upon to suffer. Thank you for the wonderful testimony and teachings of Paul and the truths that have become mine, by faith in Christ. May I finish the course You have prepared for me to do, and help me to be ready and willing to participate in the suffering of Christ to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

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“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.”         (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your grace is sufficient for all my needs. Help me to recognise and rejoice in the knowledge that Your power is made perfect in my own weakness. Help me to boast all the more gladly in my inabilities so that Your great ability may be manifest in my life. May everything I do be to Your praise and glory, my Lord and my God. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

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“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) 

Heavenly Father, I pray that I may learn to be content in all things for Christ's sake. Help me to be increasingly conscious of my own human weakness so that I may be supplied, day by day, by the strength of Your mighty power. Then, when I am at my lowest and weakest point in my life, I can be sure that I am at my strongest in You. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

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“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” (2 Corinthians 12:15)

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of the apostle Paul and his deep desire to share the truth of the glorious gospel of God with those whom You placed in his path. Thank You for his example of unquenchable love as he spent his life and was spent, in the service of Christ. May I spend and be expended to Your praise and glory. May my love for others only be exceeded for my deepening love for You. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/2-Corinthians/12