Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 12

Once again Paul stresses that in this matter of boasting he has had no choice . He feels forced to break a fourteen-year silence (v.2) and boast about a vision the Lord had given him. This will not edify the church or gain anything for him personally, but the Corinthians will see that he was not outmatched by his rivals in an important area of their boasting.

If Paul intended to distinguish between “visions” (GK 3965) and “revelations” (GK 637), then a vision is always seen, whereas a revelation may be either seen or perceived in some other way; i.e., all visions are also revelations, but not all revelations come through visions. From Acts it is clear that Paul frequently had visions (Acts 9:12; Acts 16:9–10; Acts 18:9–10; Acts 22:17–21; Acts 23:11; et al.).

None of the visions recorded in Acts can be identified with the one related here, since it occurred fourteen years before the time of writing—i.e., during the ten so-called “silent years” (A. D. 35–45) that Paul spent in Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:21). Paul’s expression “a man in Christ” refers to himself. How do we know?

(1) He knew the exact time the revelation took place (v.2) and that its content was beyond words, even if it were permissible to try to communicate it (v.4).

(2) The revelation was directly related to the receipt of a “thorn,” which was given to Paul (v.7).

(3) Paul would not likely feel embarrassment (cf. v.1) about boasting on another person’s behalf (cf. v.5a).

(4) For Paul to relate a remarkable experience that happened to someone unknown to the Corinthians would scarcely fit the context. The scene of the vision was the “hidden Paradise” of Jewish thought—the abode of the righteous dead that is here located within the third heaven. If Paul was quite certain of the location of the vision, he was uncertain about whether the experience happened to him in his body or apart from it (vv.2b, 3b). Consciousness of God totally eclipsed any awareness of the physical world of space and time. What Paul heard (and saw?), human words were inadequate to relate (v.4b). Furthermore, he was not permitted to try to share the content of the revelation, perhaps because it had been designed for him alone, to fortify him for future service and sufferings (Acts 9:16; Romans 8:18). Glimpses the NT does give of the coming glory are intended to strengthen faith and promote holiness (cf. 2 Peter 3:10–14), not satisfy curiosity.

None of the visions recorded in Acts can be identified with the one related here, since it occurred fourteen years before the time of writing—i.e., during the ten so-called “silent years” (A. D. 35–45) that Paul spent in Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:21). Paul’s expression “a man in Christ” refers to himself. How do we know?

(1) He knew the exact time the revelation took place (v.2) and that its content was beyond words, even if it were permissible to try to communicate it (v.4).

(2) The revelation was directly related to the receipt of a “thorn,” which was given to Paul (v.7).

(3) Paul would not likely feel embarrassment (cf. v.1) about boasting on another person’s behalf (cf. v.5a).

(4) For Paul to relate a remarkable experience that happened to someone unknown to the Corinthians would scarcely fit the context. The scene of the vision was the “hidden Paradise” of Jewish thought—the abode of the righteous dead that is here located within the third heaven. If Paul was quite certain of the location of the vision, he was uncertain about whether the experience happened to him in his body or apart from it (vv.2b, 3b). Consciousness of God totally eclipsed any awareness of the physical world of space and time. What Paul heard (and saw?), human words were inadequate to relate (v.4b). Furthermore, he was not permitted to try to share the content of the revelation, perhaps because it had been designed for him alone, to fortify him for future service and sufferings (Acts 9:16; Romans 8:18). Glimpses the NT does give of the coming glory are intended to strengthen faith and promote holiness (cf. 2 Peter 3:10–14), not satisfy curiosity.

None of the visions recorded in Acts can be identified with the one related here, since it occurred fourteen years before the time of writing—i.e., during the ten so-called “silent years” (A. D. 35–45) that Paul spent in Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:21). Paul’s expression “a man in Christ” refers to himself. How do we know?

(1) He knew the exact time the revelation took place (v.2) and that its content was beyond words, even if it were permissible to try to communicate it (v.4).

(2) The revelation was directly related to the receipt of a “thorn,” which was given to Paul (v.7).

(3) Paul would not likely feel embarrassment (cf. v.1) about boasting on another person’s behalf (cf. v.5a).

(4) For Paul to relate a remarkable experience that happened to someone unknown to the Corinthians would scarcely fit the context. The scene of the vision was the “hidden Paradise” of Jewish thought—the abode of the righteous dead that is here located within the third heaven. If Paul was quite certain of the location of the vision, he was uncertain about whether the experience happened to him in his body or apart from it (vv.2b, 3b). Consciousness of God totally eclipsed any awareness of the physical world of space and time. What Paul heard (and saw?), human words were inadequate to relate (v.4b). Furthermore, he was not permitted to try to share the content of the revelation, perhaps because it had been designed for him alone, to fortify him for future service and sufferings (Acts 9:16; Romans 8:18). Glimpses the NT does give of the coming glory are intended to strengthen faith and promote holiness (cf. 2 Peter 3:10–14), not satisfy curiosity.

The remarkable contrast between Paul and the certain “man in Christ” (v.2) comes into even sharper relief in v.5 and naturally prompts the question: If Paul is speaking of himself in vv.2–4, why does he speak about his experience in the third person?

(1) He was clearly embarrassed at needing to boast at all (v.1).

(2) He wished to avoid suggesting that he was in any sense a special kind of Christian. The revelation was given him as “a man in Christ”; the initiative had been not his but God’s.

(3) Although Paul recognized the honor involved in being the recipient of a vision, he wanted to dispel any idea that it added to his personal status or importance. Concerning himself as a man in Christ who had received a special revelation, Paul was prepared to boast if circumstances demanded it. But concerning himself as a man of action and accomplishment, he refused to boast at all. Only experiences that showed his “weakness” (GK 819) he considered suitable material for any personal boasting (v.5).

If, however, anyone asserted that Paul had not done anything worth boasting about, he adds a word of defense (v.6). If he were to boast of his strengths or things that were not inexpressible, he would not appear as some fool who was priding himself on imagined glories. Rather, he would be speaking truth. He had every reason to boast, but he refrains because he wanted the Corinthians’ estimate of himself to be based on their recollection of his personal credentials (cf. 5:11b; 12:12).

All this suggests that his rivals may have been boasting about imaginary visions or about exploits.