Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(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.

(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.