1I must needs glory , though it is not expedient ; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord . 2I know a man in Christ , fourteen years ago ( whether in the body , I know not ; or whether out of the body , I know not ; God knoweth ), such a one caught up even to the third heaven . 3And I know such a man ( whether in the body , or apart from the body , I know not ; God knoweth ), 4how that he was caught up into Paradise , and heard unspeakable words , which it is not lawful for a man to utter .
The Thorn in the Flesh
5On behalf of such a one will I glory : but on mine own behalf I will not glory , save in my weaknesses. 6For if I should desire to glory , I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear , lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be , or heareth from me . 7And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh , a messenger of Satan to buffet me , that I should not be exalted overmuch. 8Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice , that it might depart from me . 9And he hath said unto me , My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me . 10Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions , in distresses , for Christ ’s sake : for when I am weak, then am I strong .
Paul's Sufferings and Strength in Weakness
11I am become foolish : ye compelled me ; for I ought to have been commended of you : for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing . 12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience , by signs and wonders and mighty works . 13For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches , except it be that I myself was not a burden to you ? forgive me this wrong. 14Behold , this is the third time I am ready to come to you ; and I will not be a burden to you : for I seek not yours , but you : for the children ought not to lay up for the parents , but the parents for the children . 15And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls . If I love you more abundantly , am I loved the less ? 16But be it so , I did not myself burden you ; but , being crafty , I caught you with guile . 17Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you ? 18I exhorted Titus , and I sent the brother with him . Did Titus take any advantage of you ? walked we not in the same spirit ? walked we not in the same steps ? 19Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you . In the sight of God speak we in Christ . But all things , beloved, are for your edifying . 20For I fear , lest by any means , when I come , I should find you not such as I would , and should myself be found of you such as ye would not ; lest by any means there should be strife , jealousy , wraths , factions, backbitings , whisperings , swellings , tumults; 21lest again when I come my God should humble me before you , and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed .