Let's talk about 2 Corinthians 12 in detail.

2 Corinthians 12 is a passage in which the apostle Paul describes his apostolic experience and weaknesses, while emphasizing the sufficiency of God’s grace. Through his special spiritual experiences and suffering, Paul emphasizes the importance of humility and reliance on God’s power in the Christian life.

1. Paul's Special Revelation (2 Corinthians 12:1-6)

• Forced to Boast : Paul says he has no choice but to boast about the visions and revelations he experienced. He explains that 14 years ago he was caught up to the third heaven (paradise) and saw things that are indescribable in human language.
• Attitude of Humility : Paul has much to boast about, but he vows not to boast. Instead, he will boast about his weaknesses and let people judge him by his words and actions.

2. Paul's Thorn (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

• Meaning of the Thorn : Paul says that because of the amazing revelations he had received, he was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to keep him from becoming proud. This was to keep him humble and dependent on God.
• Three times Paul prayed for the thorn to be taken away from him, but God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When Paul heard this, he boasted in his weakness and confessed that the power of Christ rested upon him.
• Reason for Joy : Paul rejoices in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties, and says that in these situations the power of Christ is more clearly demonstrated in him. He declares, "When I am weak, then am I strong."

3. Love and concern for the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 12:11-21)

• Marks of an Apostle : Paul speaks of the Corinthians’ rejection of him and emphasizes that he is not a poor apostle. He explains that he displayed the marks of a true apostle through his patience, signs, wonders, and miracles.
• Love for Children : Paul says that he loves the church in Corinth as if they were his own children, and that it is right for children to save for their parents, not for parents to save for their children. He says that he is willing to sacrifice everything for the church in Corinth.
• The Corinthian Church's Response : Paul emphasizes that the Corinthians may think that he has deceived them, but he has never done so. He assures the Corinthians that he has done no injustice through Titus and another brother who worked with him.
• Concerns and Warnings : When Paul visits the church in Corinth again, he is concerned that they will still be in the midst of unrepentant sins, fighting, being jealous, angry, and creating divisions. He warns that if these things happen, God will humble Himself again and be saddened by them.

summary

2 Corinthians 12 emphasizes humility and reliance on God’s power through Paul’s special spiritual experience and the suffering that resulted from it. Paul confesses that Christ’s power is fully revealed in his weakness and rejoices in this. He also expresses his deep love and concern for the church in Corinth and urges them to walk uprightly before God. This chapter clearly shows the importance of humility and absolute trust in God in the Christian life.