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2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

In this chapter Paul speaks about a remarkable revelation, but he quickly turns from spiritual experience to weakness, grace, and honest care for the church. He explains why he does not build himself up and why Christ's power is seen most clearly when a believer is weak.

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What happens in 2 Corinthians 12?

Paul recounts an experience of being caught up to Paradise, yet he does not use it to promote himself. Instead, he says God gave him a thorn in the flesh to keep him from pride. After pleading for relief, he hears the Lord say that divine grace is enough and that power is made complete in weakness. Paul then defends his ministry to the Corinthians, reminding them that he did not seek their money but their good. He closes by warning that his coming visit may bring grief if they remain marked by division and unrepentant sin.

Second Corinthians is a personal and defensive letter in which Paul addresses opposition, explains his ministry, and urges the church toward sincerity and reconciliation. Chapter 12 continues his defense against those who questioned him, but it also reveals his view of Christian leadership as humble, costly, and dependent on Christ. The chapter leads into his final warnings and conclusion in chapter 13.

Themes to notice

  • Weakness and graceGods power is shown most clearly when human strength is limited and Christ's grace is enough.
  • True ministryPaul defends a ministry that builds others up rather than using them for personal gain.
  • Repentance and orderThe church is warned to turn from sin, quarrels, and disorder before Paul arrives.

Questions for 2 Corinthians 12

  • What does Paul mean when he says Christ's power is made perfect in weakness?
  • Why does Paul speak about his revelation without using it to exalt himself?
  • What concerns does Paul have about the Corinthians before his next visit?

Read the full text of 2 Corinthians 12 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

2 Corinthians 12

Paul’s Revelation

1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows.3And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows—4was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell.

Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace

5I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.6Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.12The true marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.13In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

14See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.17Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?18I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?

19Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.20For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.21I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.

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