Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(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.

(2Co 12:2) “I knew a man in Christ 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.”  Are there three heavens? Yes: one, the atmosphere (Gen 1:20; 6:17; 7:11,19,23); two, outer space (Gen 1:14; Gen 15:5; Ps 8:3); and three, God’s abode (Gen 28:12; Duet 26:15; Ps 11:4) etc..

(2Co 12:1) “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.”  Remember: Paul had said in 11:16 that to speak like he had been doing was as a fool, as a carnal person as opposed to a spiritual. Now he dismisses such boastings as no comparison to spiritual communication from God.

(2Co 11:32)  “In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: (33) And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.”  Important, less we forget: notice there was no “standing up for my rights”, nor any form of fighting for them, though Paul had rights as a Roman citizen. “Wise as serpents, harmless as doves”; “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another:”; and “turn the other cheek” is practiced.

 (2Co 11:31) “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.”  I say to you that the very fact the Lord God has preserved this statement in the canon of Scripture, demonstrates that God is witness of the truthfulness of Paul’s statements recorded here. You may trust every Word recorded in the Bible, for it has been miraculously preserved through time.

(2Co 11:30) “If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.”  Notice that carnal men glory in their accomplishments, letting  you know “who” they are or “what” they are. Paul, led by the Spirit of God, set forth instead, not his accomplishments, but the many ways he had suffered for Christ. If we listen, we can learn a lot about the person speaking to us.

(2Co 11:29) “Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?”  This kind of reaction could only come from one who is living “others before self” (Phil 2:2). Every believer is seek to live in such a way.

(2Co 11:28) “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”   After mentioning multiple areas concerning physical sufferings, Paul now redirects our focus. “The care of all the churches” may not appear to stack up to the level of the first statements, but actually far exceed them. You see, churches are made up of the souls of saved people redeemed by the very blood of Christ Jesus! They far exceed the importance of Paul’s daily comfort – or that of you and me.

(2Co 11:27) “In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”   Just contemplating these things should tell us that, in living for and serving Jesus, there is not promise of ease or comfort. Since the Lord has promised to meet our needs, this reveals that our true need is to be faithful to Him above all other things.