2 Corinthians 12:3-13

3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—
4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.
5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say,
7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”[a] even though I am nothing.
12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.
13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Images for 2 Corinthians 12:3-13

Cross References 23

  • 1. ver 2
  • 2. Luke 23:43; Revelation 2:7
  • 3. ver 9,10; S 1 Corinthians 2:3
  • 4. 2 Corinthians 10:8
  • 5. ver 11; 2 Corinthians 11:16
  • 6. ver 1; S 1 Corinthians 2:10
  • 7. Numbers 33:55
  • 8. S Matthew 4:10
  • 9. Matthew 26:39,44
  • 10. S Romans 3:24
  • 11. S Philippians 4:13
  • 12. S 1 Corinthians 2:3
  • 13. 1 Kings 19:12
  • 14. S Matthew 5:12
  • 15. 2 Corinthians 6:4
  • 16. Romans 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:4
  • 17. 2 Corinthians 13:4
  • 18. 2 Corinthians 11:1
  • 19. 2 Corinthians 11:5
  • 20. 1 Corinthians 15:9,10
  • 21. S John 4:48
  • 22. ver 14; 1 Corinthians 9:12,18
  • 23. 2 Corinthians 11:7

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "the most eminent apostles"
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.