The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Grace” it comes from the Greek Word “charis” which means “grace.”
Paul describes an extraordinary vision of paradise, then a painful thorn that never went away. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is 2 Corinthians 12.
Continuing his reluctant boasting, Paul describes a remarkable experience fourteen years earlier, a man in Christ caught up to the third heaven, into paradise itself, hearing unspeakable words unlawful to utter, whether in the body or out of it, he genuinely does not know. Rather than boasting directly of himself, Paul insists on boasting instead in his infirmities, refusing to be thought of more highly than what people actually see or hear from him.
Because of the extraordinary greatness of these revelations, Paul explains that a “thorn in the flesh,” a messenger of Satan, was given to buffet him, keeping him from becoming excessively proud. He pleaded with the Lord three times that this thorn would depart from him, but the Lord answered instead, “My grace,” “charis” in Greek, “is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul responds with a striking conclusion. “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me… for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Paul explains he has become foolish in boasting only because the Corinthians compelled him to it, since he ought to have been commended by them rather than forced into self-defense, insisting he is not inferior to the very greatest apostles, even though he is nothing. He reminds them of the genuine signs, wonders, and mighty deeds he performed among them, expresses his desire to spend himself entirely for their souls rather than burden them financially, and closes expressing real fear about what he might find when he visits again, hoping not to encounter ongoing quarreling, jealousy, and unrepented sin still present among them.
God’s answer to Paul’s repeated pleading, my grace is sufficient for thee, remains one of the most quoted responses to unanswered prayer in the entire Bible. Rather than removing the thorn, God offered something different, sufficient grace and strength perfected precisely in weakness, reframing Paul’s ongoing struggle as the very place where Christ’s power would be most clearly displayed.
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