The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Corinthians 12
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me
to boast, but I will come to visions and
revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who was caught
up into the third heaven fourteen years
ago—whether in the body, I don’t know, or
whether out of the body, I don’t know; God
knows.
3 I know such a man (whether in the
body, or outside of the body, I don’t know;
God knows),
4 how he was caught up into Paradise
and heard unspeakable words, which it is
not lawful for a man to utter.
5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but
on my own behalf I will not boast, except
in my weaknesses.
6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not
be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I
refrain, so that no man may think more of
me than that which he sees in me or hears
from me.
7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of
the revelations,thatI shouldnotbe exalted
excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given
tome: amessenger of Satanto tormentme,
that I should not be exalted excessively.
8 Concerning this thing, I begged the
Lord three times that it might depart
from me.
9 He has said to me, “My grace is
sufficientfor you,for my power is made perfect
in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will
rather glory in my weaknesses, that the
power of Christ may rest on me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses,
in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions,
and in distresses, for Christ’s sake.
For when I am weak, then am I strong.
11 I have become foolish in boasting. You
compelled me, for I ought to have been
commended by you, for I am in no way
inferior to the very best apostles, though I
am nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were
worked among you in all perseverance, in
signs and wonders and mighty works.
13 For what is there in which you were
made inferior to the rest of the assemblies,
unless it is that I myself was not a burden
to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Behold, this is the third time I am
ready to come to you, and I will not be a
burden to you; for I seek not your
possessions, but you. For the
children ought not to save up for
the parents, but the parents
for the children.
15 I will most gladly spend and be spent
for your souls. If I love you more
abundantly, am I loved the less?
16 Even so, I myself didn’t burden you.
But you might say that being crafty, I
caught you with deception.
17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone
of those whom I have sent to you?
18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother
with him. Did Titus take any advantage of
you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit?
Didn’t we walk in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think that we are
excusing ourselves to you? Inthe
sight of God we speak in Christ.
But all things, beloved, are
for your edifying.
20 For I am afraid that perhaps when
I come, I might find you not the way I
want to, and that I might be found by
you as you don’t desire, that perhaps
there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts
of anger, factions, slander, whisperings,
proud thoughts, or riots,
21 that again when I come my God would
humble me before you, and I would mourn
for many of those who have sinned before
now, and not repented of the uncleanness,
sexual immorality, and lustfulness which
they committed.