2 Corinthians, Chapter 12

2 Corinthians 12 What is Paul going to share about in this chapter? vs. 1 Visions and revelations of the LORD. What happened to a man Paul knows 14 years before he wrote this? vs. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. What does Paul call this place? vs. 4 Paradise. What did this man hear there? vs. 4 He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. It appears that Paul was speaking of himself because he turns to personal pronouns in explaining the results in his life due to having such revelations. What was given to Paul to keep from exalting himself? vs. 7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! How many times did Paul ask the Lord to remove this thorn in his flesh? vs. 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. What did the Lord tell Paul that was sufficient for him in dealing with this thorn? vs. 9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Upon getting this Word from the Lord, what did Paul say he would gladly endure and for what reason? vs. 9 Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. What will Paul be well content with? vs. 10 - Name 5 things. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions, difficulties. Why is Paul well content to have weakness? vs. 10 For when I am weak, then I am strong. What did Paul perform that showed he was a true apostle of the Lord? vs. 12 Name 3 things. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. Paul is ready to come to the Corinthians for the third time. What is he determined not to be to them? vs. 14 I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; Paul has sent others to them and none have taken advantage of them. They have not been defending themselves to them, but actually in all they have spoken, they are building them up in Christ (vs.19). What is Paul concerned might still be happening among them? vs. 20 - Name 8 things mentioned. For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; Paul is afraid that when he comes he will be humiliated before them and begin to mourn over those who have sinned in the past and have not repented. What are the sins he is so concerned about? vs. 21 - Name 3 things mentioned. I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.   2 Corinthians 13  Paul is coming to them for a third time, and he says every fact must be confirmed by two or three witnesses. He wants those who have sinned and not repented, that he will confront them by Christ who speaks through him. What does He say concerning Jesus who was cruicified because of weakness? vs.4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. Although they are weak in Christ, they also have His power directed toward them. He wants to know from those who have not repented of their sins - are they truly in the faith? What does he ask them to do? vs. 5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? What does Paul tell them concerning their own faith? vs. 6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. What is Paul praying for these believers? vs. 7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. Paul wants the best for the church members, no matter what it may look like on them. What does he know is a fact concerning their own lives? vs. 8-10 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.  For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.  For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. In Paul's final words in 2 Corinthians, he gives them final instructions. What does he ask of them? vs. 11 - Name 5 things. rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace. When these believers do these things, what will be with them? vs. 11 The God of love and peace will be with you. Name the 3 parts of the Trinity and what is given by each one in the final sentence: vs. 14 From Jesus - From God - From the Holy Spirit - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Take time to think through these last 2 chapters and make your summary statements. Offer a prayer to the Lord for all you have learned today. When you think back over the entire book, what will stay with you in your thoughts of all that you have reflected on this read-through?

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