Thematic Bible
2 Corinthians 12:1 (show verse)
It is necessary to boast, though nothing is gained by it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 12:2 (show verse)
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, [only] God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
Heaven » Is called » Paradise
Heaven » The future dwelling place of the righteous » Paradise
Heaven/the heavens » Paul’s vision of paradise
Paul » The man of vision » The vision of paradise
Paul » Caught up to the third heaven
Union with Christ » Described as » Our being in Christ
Vision » Of paul » Of paradise
Heaven » The future dwelling place of the righteous » Paradise
Heaven/the heavens » Paul’s vision of paradise
Paul » The man of vision » The vision of paradise
Paul » Caught up to the third heaven
Union with Christ » Described as » Our being in Christ
Vision » Of paul » Of paradise
2 Corinthians 12:3 (show verse)
And I know that such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—
2 Corinthians 12:4 (show verse)
was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which man is not permitted to speak [words too sacred to tell].
Heaven » Is called » Paradise
Heaven » The future dwelling place of the righteous » Paradise
Heaven/the heavens » Paul’s vision of paradise
Parables » Of Christ found in one gospel only, (chapter specified) » The barren fig tree, luke 13
Paradise » The place of glorified spirits
Paul » The man of vision » The vision of paradise
Paul » Caught up to the third heaven
Vision » Of paul » Of paradise
Words » Unspeakable, heard by paul in paradise
Heaven » The future dwelling place of the righteous » Paradise
Heaven/the heavens » Paul’s vision of paradise
Parables » Of Christ found in one gospel only, (chapter specified) » The barren fig tree, luke 13
Paradise » The place of glorified spirits
Paul » The man of vision » The vision of paradise
Paul » Caught up to the third heaven
Vision » Of paul » Of paradise
Words » Unspeakable, heard by paul in paradise
2 Corinthians 12:5 (show verse)
On behalf of such a man [and his experiences] I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.
2 Corinthians 12:6 (show verse)
If I wish to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it], so that no one will credit me with more than [is justified by what] he sees in me or hears from me.
2 Corinthians 12:7 (show verse)
Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!
Adversary » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Afflictions » Life tested by the lord » Of ministers and prophets
Afflictions » Of ministers and prophets
Messenger » Figurative » Of satan
Ministers » Support of » Afflictions of
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Paul's » Voyage to rome - with luke, aristarchus, and others ac 27-28 » Thorn
Satan » Vanquished promises of ultimate triumph » Instigating men to sin
Satan's » Work » Instigating men to sin
Serpent » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Temptation » Exemplified
Tempter » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Thorn » Figurative » Of afflictions
Trials » Of ministers and prophets
War » Figurative » Is against » The flesh
Warfare of saints » Is against » The flesh
satan's Work » Instigating men to sin
Afflictions » Life tested by the lord » Of ministers and prophets
Afflictions » Of ministers and prophets
Messenger » Figurative » Of satan
Ministers » Support of » Afflictions of
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Paul's » Voyage to rome - with luke, aristarchus, and others ac 27-28 » Thorn
Satan » Vanquished promises of ultimate triumph » Instigating men to sin
Satan's » Work » Instigating men to sin
Serpent » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Temptation » Exemplified
Tempter » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Thorn » Figurative » Of afflictions
Trials » Of ministers and prophets
War » Figurative » Is against » The flesh
Warfare of saints » Is against » The flesh
satan's Work » Instigating men to sin
2 Corinthians 12:8 (show verse)
Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me;
Jesus Christ, Deity Of » As the object of divine worship
Earnest suppliants » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Prayer » Causes of failure in » Sometimes refused because not in accord with the divine will
Prayer » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Prayer » Paul asked that the "thorn in the flesh" be removed; the answer was a promise of grace to endure it
Prayer, answers to » Granted » Sometimes differently from our desire
Seven » Earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
Earnest suppliants » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Prayer » Causes of failure in » Sometimes refused because not in accord with the divine will
Prayer » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Prayer » Paul asked that the "thorn in the flesh" be removed; the answer was a promise of grace to endure it
Prayer, answers to » Granted » Sometimes differently from our desire
Seven » Earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
2 Corinthians 12:9 (show verse)
but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
Afflictions » Promises concerning » Sufficiency of divine grace
Christ » Grace of » Sufficient for all human needs
Jesus Christ, Deity Of » As the object of divine worship
Consolation under Affliction » To the tempted
Divine Promises » Sufficiency of divine grace
Earnest suppliants » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
God » Promises of characteristics of » Sufficiency of divine grace
God's Promises » To the afflicted » Sufficiency of divine grace
Grace » Of Christ » Sufficient for all human needs
Grace » Christ's » Sufficient for all human needs
Grace » Described as » All-sufficient
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Power » Of Christ » Rests upon saints
The power of Christ » Rests upon saints
Prayer » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Prayer » Paul asked that the "thorn in the flesh" be removed; the answer was a promise of grace to endure it
Prayer, answers to » Granted » Sometimes differently from our desire
Protection » Of God, is » Effectual
Seven » Earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Strength » In weakness, promised
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
War » Figurative » Armor for » Through Christ
War » Figurative » Strengthened by Christ in
Warfare of saints » Victory in, is » Through Christ
Warfare of saints » Saints » Strengthened by Christ in
Christ » Grace of » Sufficient for all human needs
Jesus Christ, Deity Of » As the object of divine worship
Consolation under Affliction » To the tempted
Divine Promises » Sufficiency of divine grace
Earnest suppliants » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
God » Promises of characteristics of » Sufficiency of divine grace
God's Promises » To the afflicted » Sufficiency of divine grace
Grace » Of Christ » Sufficient for all human needs
Grace » Christ's » Sufficient for all human needs
Grace » Described as » All-sufficient
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Power » Of Christ » Rests upon saints
The power of Christ » Rests upon saints
Prayer » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Prayer » Paul asked that the "thorn in the flesh" be removed; the answer was a promise of grace to endure it
Prayer, answers to » Granted » Sometimes differently from our desire
Protection » Of God, is » Effectual
Seven » Earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Strength » In weakness, promised
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
War » Figurative » Armor for » Through Christ
War » Figurative » Strengthened by Christ in
Warfare of saints » Victory in, is » Through Christ
Warfare of saints » Saints » Strengthened by Christ in
2 Corinthians 12:10 (show verse)
So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].
Christ » Sake, for his » death
For Christ's sake » death
Happiness of saints in this life » Is derived from » Suffering for Christ
for Jesus' sake » death
Reviling and reproaching » Saints » May take pleasure in
Reviling and reproaching » Saints » Supported under
Strength » In weakness, promised
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
Suffering for Christ's sake » Some trials believers may be called upon to endure » death
Suffering for righteousness' sake » For Christ's sake some trials believers may be called upon to endure » death
For Christ's sake » death
Happiness of saints in this life » Is derived from » Suffering for Christ
for Jesus' sake » death
Reviling and reproaching » Saints » May take pleasure in
Reviling and reproaching » Saints » Supported under
Strength » In weakness, promised
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
Suffering for Christ's sake » Some trials believers may be called upon to endure » death
Suffering for righteousness' sake » For Christ's sake some trials believers may be called upon to endure » death
2 Corinthians 12:11 (show verse)
Now I have become foolish; you have forced me [by questioning my apostleship]. Actually I should have been commended by you [instead of being treated disdainfully], for I was not inferior to those super-apostles, even if I am nobody.
No Themes for this verse.
2 Corinthians 12:12 (show verse)
The signs that indicate a genuine apostle were performed among you fully and most patiently—signs and wonders and miracles.
2 Corinthians 12:13 (show verse)
For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except [for the fact] that I did not burden you [with my financial support]? Forgive me [for doing you] this injustice!
No Themes for this verse.
2 Corinthians 12:14 (show verse)
Now for the third time I am ready to visit you. I will not burden you [financially], because I do not want what is yours [not your money or your possessions], but you. For children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
Children » Parents, duty to » To provide for
Corinth » Visited » By paul
Duty » Parents » To provide for
Fathers » Duties of » To provide for
Home » special duties of parents » To provide for
Ministers » Should be » Disinterested
Parents » Their duty to their children is » To provide for them
Parents » Duty » To provide for
Social duties » Parental parental duties » To provide for
Corinth » Visited » By paul
Duty » Parents » To provide for
Fathers » Duties of » To provide for
Home » special duties of parents » To provide for
Ministers » Should be » Disinterested
Parents » Their duty to their children is » To provide for them
Parents » Duty » To provide for
Social duties » Parental parental duties » To provide for
2 Corinthians 12:15 (show verse)
But I will very gladly spend [my own resources] and be utterly spent for your souls. If I love you greatly, am I to be loved less [by you]?
2 Corinthians 12:16 (show verse)
But be that as it may, I did not burden you [with my support]. But [some say that] I was sly and took you by trickery.
2 Corinthians 12:17 (show verse)
Did I take advantage of you or make any money off you through any of the messengers I sent you? [Certainly not!]
2 Corinthians 12:18 (show verse)
I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? [No!] Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps? [Of course!]
2 Corinthians 12:19 (show verse)
All this time you have been thinking that we are [merely] defending ourselves to you. It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking [as one] in Christ; and everything, dearly beloved, is to strengthen you [spiritually].
2 Corinthians 12:20 (show verse)
For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you not to be as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder;
Backsliders » Instances of » Corinthian Christians
Care » Paul's care of the church
Church » For other leaders » Paul's care for
Church » Care of » Paul's care of
Church » Similitudes of the church compared to » Strife in
Church » Dissensions in
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Backbiting
Evil » Whispering » Evil whispering, general references to
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Evil whispering, general references to
Ministers » Call of, examples of » Care for the church
Paul's » Care for the church
Slander » Includes » Whispering
Slander » Includes » Backbiting
Speaking, evil » Backbiting
Speaking, evil » Whispering, evil, general references to
Strife » Causes of » In the church
Strife » Shameful in saints
Whisperer » A slanderer
Care » Paul's care of the church
Church » For other leaders » Paul's care for
Church » Care of » Paul's care of
Church » Similitudes of the church compared to » Strife in
Church » Dissensions in
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Backbiting
Evil » Whispering » Evil whispering, general references to
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Evil whispering, general references to
Ministers » Call of, examples of » Care for the church
Paul's » Care for the church
Slander » Includes » Whispering
Slander » Includes » Backbiting
Speaking, evil » Backbiting
Speaking, evil » Whispering, evil, general references to
Strife » Causes of » In the church
Strife » Shameful in saints
Whisperer » A slanderer
2 Corinthians 12:21 (show verse)
I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality and decadence which they formerly practiced.