The child of God and human experiences is discussed in chapter 12.
Paul’s experience vindicates his authority as a true servant of God (verses 1-10). Paul did not consider boasting to be expedient; therefore, he intends to pass on to another line of argument (verse 1). That which he now discloses would not exalt self, for it was the result of divine revelation. The experience of a man in Christ is described in verse 2-4. He speaks of himself in the third person as he narrates what took place. This puts him in the position of a man who was a spectator. Fourteen years had gone by since this experience, and apparently he would not have mentioned it now if it were not necessary to defend himself as to his authority. Such was that which took place that Paul was not sure whether the whole man was present or just the soul and spirit of the man, but one thing for certain he was caught up into the third heaven. Because of the timing of this event and the place this, which transpired in Paul’s life, was at the time he was stoned and left for dead outside of Lystra. He was caught up into paradise, which carries the meaning of a royal garden. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the people of God who die in Christ are immediately caught up into this third heaven into God’s very presence. In Gen. 2:8 this word is used of Eden and among the Jews is used to denote heaven. While there he heard things, which he could not communicate to others. God had allowed him to see beyond the veil, which conceals the mysteries and glories of heaven, but Paul did not speak of what he had seen. Rather his message remained the same that of Christ and his redeeming love. So that this experience would not cause Paul to become a braggart, God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass him and keep him from being too elated. This kept him humble (verses 5-10). Paul first points out that such an experience as this would be grounds for glory (verse 5). Such a divine favor bestowed as this surely from a human viewpoint would justify exaltation, but Paul’s attitude is that he would not glory in anything other than would bear out his infirmities. Paul was interested in only one person receiving the glory, and that person was Christ. Paul wanted to be judged on what men saw in him rather than be impressed by his past experience (verse 6). He was very conscious that people did not think of him more highly than they ought to. Often we have heard a man or woman introduced and praised to the extreme only to be disappointed in what we heard or saw in his/her life. God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack, buffet, and harass him (verse 7). Here is one of those interesting portions of God’s Word where we see trouble being allowed in the life of a Godly person not because of sin but to keep one from sin (Another example – Job). God knew Paul as He does all of us; and to keep him from being exalted in his own mind above that which was good for him, he allowed Satan to buffet him that his eyes would be kept upon Christ for his help and stay. We should keep this in mind when trouble comes our way in great measure, for not all trouble is chastening from the Lord or the result of personal sin. Paul’s prayer for deliverance is mentioned in verse 8. Paul earnestly sought the Lord in prayer three times for deliverance from his affliction. We are reminded that our Lord besought the Heavenly Father three times “to remove this cup.” It is evident that after three times Paul knew the will of God in the matter and no longer sought deliverance. Grace under trial is seen in verse 9. God answered Paul’s petition but not in the way he had expected but in a far more wonderful manner that has left Christians of all ages a guideline under trial. God said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” The strength of our Lord is more clearly seen in the lives of His children in their weakness. Thus even to the world the strength and power of Christ is revealed through the strength of the suffering Saint. Paul here reveals the attitude of the dedicated life, for he is willing to go through anything that will bring glory to God. Paul was willing to endure for Christ’s sake (verse 10). The word infirmities generally include any weakness either moral or physical that one might have. The person who recognizes his /her own weakness is in the position to be strong in Christ. Paul gloried in all this for Christ’s sake and not because he enjoyed the suffering.
Paul’s action revealed his heavenly calling (verses 11-18). He never would have commended himself, but the attitude of the Saints at Corinth made it necessary (verse 11). His ministry and apostleship should have been defended by them, but their action demanded that he defend himself and points to those things in his experience which proved his apostleship. Paul had given full proof and evidence of his apostleship, and the result was that he was not inferior to those superlative apostles. He points out to these people that he came behind in nothing in relationship to their false teachers. “Though I be nothing” carries the humility of Paul’s heart as he considered what the grace of God had done in his life. His actions among them bore evidence of his heavenly calling (verse 12). They were witnesses that those marks of a true apostle had been in evidence in Paul’s life and ministry while he had been with them. They did not have to take someone else’s word. Patience here refers to the adverse circumstances in which the apostles labored for Christ. The signs, wonders, and deeds are different aspects of the same thing: Signs – that which confirmed the divine call; Wonders – the effect these signs wrought; Mighty Deeds – because they were manifestations of divine power. If by his action he had wronged them in receiving no wages, he asks their pardon (verse 13). In his desire to win them and not be a burden while he was there, he took no wages. Whether this implied a want of liberality or lack of love on their part does not seem the case. If he had wronged them, he now asks their pardon, for the injustice surely was not trying to hurt them. Attitude of a loving heart is discussed in verses 14 and 15. In Acts we read of only one visit, but from this and other portions we learn that Paul was soon to make his third visit to the city of Corinth. Proof of his love for them in his coming visit would be that he would not be a financial burden to them. In this they could contrast the behavior of the false teachers with the conduct of Paul. He then lays down a principle that many parents need to remember, and that is of parents providing for children and not the other way around. What Paul is saying here is allow me a parent’s privilege in this matter, and we are reminded that he was their spiritual father. In verse 15 we see Paul’s attitude of giving himself for them, like a candle which consumes itself to give light to others with no thought of receiving anything in return. This is the attitude of mature love from a mature spiritual father. He was careful that his conduct was proper toward them and those who labored with him as well (verses 16-18). Even when one is doing his/her best to do right, there will be some who find fault (verse 16). For some would say that I was crafty and cheated and used trickery to accomplish my betterment. Honestly and squarely, Paul faced the various accusations that were being made against him. Paul was not one to dodge issues. Paul asked a very straight forward question in verse 17, and the Corinthian believers knew that no one that Paul had sent to them had received any compensation. How good it was to stand on a solid record that defends one’s actions which no honest man could side step. Titus had come to Corinth to see the effect Paul’s letter had received, and his conduct on this visit is what Paul is referring to (verse 18). Titus as did Paul followed in the same foot steps which would, of course, refer to those of our blessed Lord. What joy it is to see men serving the Lord together and having confidence in one another!
Paul’s ministry was for edification, not for reputation (verses 19-21. Regardless of what he did or said as a servant of God, it was done for the betterment of the saints (verse 19). Why does Paul ask, “Do you think I’m spending this time defending my self and apologizing to you?”? It was not for his self-glory but for their good that he defended himself and the Christ whom he represented. All that he said was in the presence of Christ to whom he must give account as the divine messenger. Paul did not take this responsibility lightly but called upon divine approval that he was right. He did not want to come and find them living in sin (verse 20). It is interesting to note that the sins mentioned are those associated with the false teachers. As one looks over the list of things Paul puts his fingers on, the sins of the present day Church seem not to have changed any. Here are the very things that are all too often found in the local assembly of our day. It would be well for us as believers to check our own lives and experiences that these things would not be found. Though seemly accepted under present day standards, they are not acceptable before God. Nothing so hurt Paul as to see those who knew Christ walking in sin (verse 21). How sad it is of the state of the person or people who have not repented of their sins, and those who love Christ should mourn for them. The state of the unrepentant child of God should cause sorrow and arouse concern in the life of those who are walking in harmony and obedience to the Word of God. The sins mentioned here were those so prevalent in Corinth arising out of the corruption of the age and of the community. This early Church found itself constantly in conflict in this area. Even today we are witnessing a steady rise of this very thing within the Church. Paul dreaded to come and have to mourn over the sins of the brethren. Any pastor who has left a church and loved the people and comes back and sees those living in sins who once walked with God can know in part how Paul felt. The sorrow is real and deep.