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Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
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Commentary & Explanation
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Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
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CHAPTER 12
Paul caught up to the third heaven—The Lord gives men weaknesses
that they may triumph over them—Paul manifests the signs of an apostle.
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1 IT is not expedient for
me doubtless to aglory. I will come to
bvisions and crevelations of the
Lord.
2 aI knew a man in Christ
above fourteen years ago, (whether in the bbody, I cannot
tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one
caught up to the cthird dheaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into
aparadise, and heard bunspeakable words,
which it is cnot dlawful for a man to
utter.
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5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I
will not aglory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be
aexalted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations, there was given to me a bthorn in the
flesha,
the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above
measure.
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7a a thorn in the flesh There
has been much to do about Paul's thorn in the flesh. It keeps him humble, from
exhalting himself. It is likely the basis for Paul's consideration of 'O
wretched man' that he is. Perhaps the most revealing statement concerning
Paul's thorn, be what it may, comes from the Book of Mormon in Ether
12:25-27. There it states that God gives men weakness that they may be humble.
And God there speaks to Moroni concerning the weakness of the written
language, that it is not expressive enough to be easily understood and
sufficent unto the message of the Gospel. Paul experiences this same type
of weakness in his 'contemptable' speech. In the Ether verses it also speaks
of God's grace being sufficient as does Paul in relationship to his thorn.
Many prophets have pined becuase they considered that they were unable to
adequately deliver God's message and that others persecuted them for this
weakness in their delivery and that men would mock and pursecute him and the
religion of God. Whether Paul's weakness was his speech, writing,
both or something else; it certainly involves the weakness of the natural
man compared to that of God's perfection and greater abilities and position.
Perhaps Paul saw in John the Apostle that such 'weakness' of the flesh could
be removed and Paul sought this higher level of ministry. Even Alma had the
wish that he were an angel and could so speak in such power and majesty, but
though one was an angel still men would not believe except in and through
the power of the Holy Ghost, that special witness which only comes by, in and
through the grace of God; explaining things to the inner soul, mind and
spirit of man beyond the reaches of mere words regardless of what silver
tongued deliverer may have spoken them. And those not in tune would mock
regardless of the delivery for they would still lack the conviction that
only the Spirit can bring.
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8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My
agrace is sufficient for thee: for my
bstrength is made perfect in cweakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power
of Christ may drest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in
ainfirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
bpersecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I
am cweak, then am I dstrong.
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11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have
compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I
behind the very achiefest apostles, though I be
nothing.
12 Truly the asigns of an
apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and
mighty deeds.
13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to
other churches, except it be that I myself was not
aburdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
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14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come
to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I aseek
not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but
the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
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17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves
unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly
beloved, for your aedifying.
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20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not
find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as
ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths,
astrifes, bbackbitings, whisperings,
swellings, ctumults:
21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
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