2 Corinthians 12:1-7

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

12:1 It is necessary to go on boasting. ¹  Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. 12:3 And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows) 12:4 was caught up into paradise ²  and heard things too sacred to be put into words, ³  things that a person ⁴  is not permitted to speak. 12:5 On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. 12:6 For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling ⁵  the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard ⁶  me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me, 12:7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, ⁷  so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble ⁸  me – so that I would not become arrogant. ⁹ 

[12:1]  ¹ tn Grk “Boasting is necessary.”

[12:4]  ² sn In the NT, paradise is mentioned three times. In Luke 23:43 it refers to the abode of the righteous dead. In Rev 2:7 it refers to the restoration of Edenic paradise predicted in Isa 51:3 and Ezek 36:35. The reference here in 2 Cor 12:4 is probably to be translated as parallel to the mention of the “third heaven” in v. 2. Assuming that the “first heaven” would be atmospheric heaven (the sky) and “second heaven” the more distant stars and planets, “third heaven” would refer to the place where God dwells. This is much more likely than some variation on the seven heavens mentioned in the pseudepigraphic book 2 Enoch and in other nonbiblical and rabbinic works.

[12:4]  ³ tn Or “things that cannot be put into words.”

[12:4]  ⁴ tn Grk “a man.”

[12:6]  ⁵ tn Or “speaking.”

[12:6]  ⁶ tn Or “may think of.”

[12:7]  ⁷ tc Most mss (Ì⁴⁶ D Ψ 1881 Ï) lack διό (dio, “Therefore”), but the widespread distribution and quality of mss which include it (א A B F G 0243 33 81 1175 1739 pc) argues for its authenticity. Internally, its case is equally strong in that its inclusion is grammatically rough (διό is hardly necessary to convey purpose, especially since Paul uses ἵνα [{ina, “so that”] next).

[12:7]  ⁸ tn Or “to harass.”

[12:7]  ⁹ tn The phrase “so that I might not become arrogant” is repeated here because it occurs in the Greek text two times in the verse. Although redundant, it is repeated because of the emphatic nature of its affirmation.