The Strand Study Bible

Written From Philippi During Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

II CORINTHIANS 12:1 - 13:1

1945

12 10 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? 11 forgive me this wrong. 14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the par- ents, 12 but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16 But be it so, I did not burden you: 13 nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a 14 brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? 19 Again, think ye that we excuse our- selves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 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: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 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 unclean- ness and 15 fornication and 16 lasciviousness which they have committed. II Corinthians 13 Paul concludes his second epistle with a warning Date Written - Fall of AD 57

1. Acts 16:9 & 18:9 & 22:17-18 & 23:11 & Gal 1:12 & 2:2 2. that is, “sometime before Acts 11:25” 3. Job 32:21 &

II Corinthians 12 Paul experiences a preview of heaven Date Written - Fall of AD 57

1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to 1 visions and revela- tions of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ 2 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. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into para- dise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of my- self I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 3 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, 4 the messenger of Sa- tan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing 5 I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is suf- ficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, 6 that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmi- ties, in reproaches, in necessities, in perse- cutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: 7 for when I am weak, then am I strong. 11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: 8 for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, 9 though I be nothing.

I Cor 4:6 & II Cor 3:5 & Gal 6:3 & I Pet 4:18

4. Job 2:7 5. Mt 26:44 6. I Pet 4:14

7. II Cor 13:4 8. II Cor 11:5 9. I Cor 3:7 10. Acts 5:12 & 18:1-17 & II Tim 4:20 11. II Cor 11:7-9 12. Prov 13:22 13. that is, “never- theless they say” 14. II Cor 8:18 15. I Cor 5:1 16. or, “wantonness; shameless conduct” – Rom 13:13 & II Pet 2:18 17. Quoted from the OT - Deut 19:15 (See - Num 35:30 & Deut 17:6 & Mt 18:16)

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. 17 In the mouth of two or three wit- nesses shall every word be established. 12:1 Paul said, “I am not writing to you here to glory (brag) in my accomplishments; I am writing to you here to glory in the accomplishments of God. And I can’t wait to tell you what God did (vs 2-5)!” 12:2 a A man “ in Christ ” is a man saved (Rom 16:7), so Paul is talking about himself here. 12:2 b According to the Bible, there are three heavens (Psa 136:5): 1. the atmosphere (Gen 1:6-8, Jere 8:7 and II Pet 3:10) 2. the stars (Gen 1:14-17 and Psa 19:1) 3. the home of God ( third heaven ) (II Cor 12:1-2 and Isa 14:12-13) ( Eph 4:9 ) 12:3 Paul “couldn’t tell” ( I cannot tell ) whether he was dreaming ( whether in the body ) or envisioning ( or out of the body ) all this.