[:en]PAUL’S VISION AND HIS THORN (vs. 1-10)
Paul boast about the vision and revelations he had received from the Lord. He said that he was caught up to third heaven in Paradise. He also boast about the thorn in the flesh. He did not specify what the thorn was but it was a chronic problem that hindred his ministry. He prayed for its removal but God refued saying “My grace is ufficient for you, for my poer is made perefect in weakness” (v. 9).. This is to keep Paul humble and acknowledge his need to depend on Christ’s power. He said: “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10)
PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE CORINTHIANS (vs. 11-21)
Aflli
\ctions can make us weak. But it is also a way to develop Chrisian character and deepen our trust in God’s strength and power. When we are strong in ability and resources, we are tempted to dop God’s work on our own an become proud. That is why God allows “thorn” in us to make us more effective for him to do work that has lasting value.
Paul never did many things for the Corinthian Church but he was never a burden to them He was not paid, fed or housed by them, but he still noursihed them with spiritual foods. He clarified that everything he did was to edify the believers and not to enrich himself.
Paul planned to visit the Corinthian church for the third time. That is why he wrote sternly asbout the wicked practice of the Conrinthian congreation, hoping that when he arrived, their lives would be changed and straightened out.[:]