(2Co 12:11) “I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.”  The Holy Spirit was not seeking to uplift Paul (I be nothing) but the hand of God upon Him as the next verse reveals: (2Co 12:12) “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”  

 (2 Cor 12:10) “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.”   So, Paul held onto that message from God, “ my strength is made perfect in weakness.”, desiring so much to be used of Him that he could literally say, “I take pleasure’ in these different ways of suffering.”  How great is the desire to be used of God in you?

(2Co 12:9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (10)  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.”  Consider each of those things listed. They each require a person look up, pray, and then wait for the Lord to act. It’s not to say the person sits and does nothing. But the purpose is to keep one walking with and dependent upon the Lord – His power, ability, and not our own.

(2Co 12:7) “And lest I should be exalted above measure…there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me,…(:8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Notice that after three times asking for removal, the Lord says “No, you need this.” Paul immediately stopped asking, accepting God’s will and purpose. May the Lord find us ever so devoted and yielded as Paul.

(2Co 12:7) “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.”   How this thorn in the flesh is manifested is withheld from us. I have always thought it to be an eye problem, stemming from Paul’s first meeting with Christ on the Damascus Road. He will later remark to the Galatians: (4:15) “Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.” 

(2Co 12:7) “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.”  The introduction of the many “revelations” Paul experienced gives credence to the belief that it was Paul himself, caught up to the third heaven. Notice the extent the Lord will go in order to keep a person useable for Him. It is easy for you and me, loving self so much, to forget we are bought with a price so no longer our own.

(2Co 12:5) “Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.”  Paul is actually living out the teaching of the Lord Jesus, (Lk 18:14) “ for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  The next verse of our text will prove this.

(2Co 12:4) “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”  Imagine, to be privileged to hear what no one else has heard. Reminds me of the promises to the members of various churches in the Revelation: Pergamos (Rev 2:17) “…To him that overcometh… will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”  God’s grace never ceases to delight the soul! 

(2Co 12:4) “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”  Notice that the third heaven is called, “paradise”. Before the crucifixion of Christ, he spoke of Paradise as being across from hell (Lk 16). At Jesus’ resurrection, He led those held there (captive) to heaven with Him. They now live in the presence of God with Him.

(2Co 12:3) “And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)”   Apparently this man did not know if his body was taken there or his soul and spirit. Either way, he was taken to the place we long to inherit – Heaven. That is the place we are to long for, clinging to it rather than this world.