2 Corinthians 12 Commentary
Isn’t there another way to keep the saint humble apart from the “thorn in the flesh”? You never know but this is what we have. Suffering serves this purpose for Paul.
Of course, we have wondered why we have this strange menu. So much anointing, great gifts, miracles… put them all in the same box as suffering. Spell suffering as imprisonments, floggings, stoning, shipwrecks, homelessness, dangers, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, coldness, and nakedness. Chapter 11.
In this case, suffering isn’t negligence or incompetence. It is a deliberate tool imposed on Paul to sustain his humility. We are not permitted to prescribe our own medication!
There is a gift for Paul: A trip to Paradise – the heavenly Garden. And Paul is mute afterward! He is not permitted to speak! Words won’t just come out. This prohibition would be similar to the command given to the day-night cycle that won’t alter itself, “as long as the earth endures”.
We could underline prohibitions in this chapter and see how Jesus rules His creation. Jesus won’t remove the thorn but supplies the grace – hence, “my grace is sufficient for you”. Suffering becomes part of the deal and it serves a purpose.
Business transactions are judged on the scale of advantages and disadvantages. Let the disadvantages outweigh the advantages and you know which way to go. The Christian walk is different. You walk straight into a mountain of trouble. But grace does it! The mountain disappears! Only the power of God remains. Then you know it was God and not you!
Paul seeks to elevate the work of the Spirit among the churches. Individuals are not important – they are nothing. Paul declares, “I’m nothing”. We probably need to remove names from the duty Rota. Then we can boast less. The Holy Spirit will have done all. The tools used in the process won’t be puffed up. We are happy with the fish, not the fish net or the hook!
Paul closes the chapter by repeating the central theme from chapter 11. The Spirit gives; He doesn’t take away. You are never exploited by the Spirit. Even the giving you do is only part of the process of your receiving! In Christ, you have received more than you have given!
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