ACC ~ 2 Corinthians 12 v1 - 6

OVERVIEW:

To be caught up in the third heaven means that Paul was caught up beyond all the stars of the universe into the heaven that is third in the hierarchy of spiritual heavens (CYRIL OF JERUSALEM, AMBROSIASTER, GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, PELAGIUS). It is obvious that Paul was talking about himself, but he speaks in this way to show that he would prefer not to talk about things unutterable (ORIGEN, CHRYSOSTOM, THEODORET OF CYR, THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA, OECUMENIUS, ISAAC OF NINEVEH, AUGUSTINE). If anyone talks about the things that have been revealed to him, that in itself is not foolish. But if he keeps quiet about them, he may be more wise (AMBROSIASTER). It is not so much the deeds themselves that tempt us to pride as our telling them to others (CHRYSOSTOM).

12:1 | Visions and Revelations

RAISED UP. AMBROSIASTER: Paul is now going to describe how he has been raised up in order that the Corinthians might understand how great and how wonderful the things said to him were and that they might realize that he is not inferior in any way to the other apostles. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

BOASTING CAUSES PRIDE. CHRYSOSTOM: It is not so much the deeds themselves which are the cause of pride, as our telling them to others. Good deeds will not puff anybody up unless they are witnessed to and remarked upon by others. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 26.1.

12:2 | Caught Up to the Third Heaven

THE THIRD HEAVEN. AMBROSIASTER: Paul mentions both things because either is possible. It may seem to someone that it is nothing much to be caught up into the third heaven, since that is where the moon is, but that is not right. What this means is that he was caught up beyond all the stars of the universe into the heaven which is third in the hierarchy of spiritual heavens. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

IN OR OUT OF THE BODY. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul specifies that it was fourteen years before in order to show that he would not normally have spoken about it at all had he not been provoked. And even then, notice that there are some things he is still ignorant about. He knows that he was in paradise, but whether he was in the body or not he cannot tell. Why did this happen to him? I think it was probably so that he would not feel inferior to the other apostles, who had all been with Christ while he was on earth. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 26.1-2.

FOURTEEN YEARS BEFORE. PELAGIUS: You see how pressed Paul was to make his point, if he had to recall something which had happened as long as fourteen years before. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 12.

INEFFABLE WONDERS. GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: Had Paul been able to express the experiences gained from the third heaven and his progress, ascent or assumption to it, we should perhaps have known more about God—if this really was the secret meaning of his rapture. But since they were ineffable, let them have the tribute of our silence. Let us give this much attention to Paul when he says: “We know in part and we prophesy in part.” This and the like is the confession of one who is no mere layman in knowledge, of one who threatens to give proof of Christ speaking in him, of a great champion and teacher of truth. THEOLOGICAL ORATION 28

12:3 | Into Paradise

CAUGHT UP TWICE. AMBROSIASTER: Paul says that he was caught up twice—first into the third heaven and then into paradise, which is where the Lord said that the thief on the cross would be with him. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

12:4 | Things That Cannot Be Told

NO ONE CAN UTTER. ORIGEN: This means that they cannot be expressed in a human language. ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 2.7.4.

THE APPEARANCE OF PARADISE. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: He saw the beautiful appearance of paradise, the dances of the saints in it and the harmonious sound of its hymnody. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

THINGS HE SAW. THEODORET OF CYR: Some argue that here Paul is referring to things which he actually saw, like the beauty of paradise and the choirs of the saints which are to be found there. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 348.

A FIRSTHAND REVELATION. OECUMENIUS: So much for those who write false revelations! PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

NOT AUDIBLE SOUNDS. ISAAC OF NINEVEH: All that is heard by the ears can be spoken. He did not hear audible sounds, nor did he see a vision composed of the corporeal images of sense perception, but it was by the intuitions of the understanding, being in rapture, while his will had no fellowship with the body. ASCETICAL HOMILIES 4.

THE WONDER OF THE RESURRECTION BODY. AUGUSTINE: But, even if the angels, whose nature is simple and spiritual, are said to have tongues with which they sing praises to their Lord and Creator and give him unceasing thanks, much more must the spiritualized bodies of men do so after the resurrection. For all the members of their glorified flesh will have tongues in their mouths, and they will give voice to their speaking tongues, and thus they will utter divine praises, the outpouring in words of their love and of the joys that fill even their senses. Doubtless the Lord will add this to the grace and glory of his saints in the time of his kingdom, that the more perfectly they attain to this blessed condition of body by a happy transformation, the more fully will they sing with tongue and voice. Being established in their spiritual bodies, they may speak, perchance, not with the tongues of men but with those of angels, such as the apostle heard in paradise. LETTER 94.

PAUL AND ELIJAH. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM: Elijah was taken up to heaven only, but Paul into heaven and paradise (for it was but fitting that the disciples of Jesus should receive more manifold grace) and “heard secret words that man may not repeat.” But Paul came down again from heaven, not because he was unworthy to abide in the third heaven but after enjoying gifts beyond man’s lot. CATECHETICAL LECTURES 14.16.

12:5 | Not on My Own Behalf

IT DOES NOT MATTER. CHRYSOSTOM: It is obvious that Paul was talking about himself, but he says this in order to show that it does not matter to him in the slightest. He would prefer not to talk about it at all. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 26.2.

12:6 | Paul Refrains from Boasting

SPEAKING THE TRUTH. AMBROSIASTER: Paul says this because if someone proclaims his own worth in God’s sight he is not unwise, for what he says is true. So if anyone talks about the things which have been revealed to him, he is not foolish, though if he keeps quiet about them he is wise. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE THORN IN PAUL’S FLESH 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10

OVERVIEW: By the thorn in his flesh, Paul was referring to the persecutions he had so often suffered (SEVERIAN OF GABALA, THEODORET OF CYR) from vexing adversaries like Alexander the coppersmith and the party of Hymenaeus and Philetus. Paul could hardly bear the plots that were going on behind his back, and he sought three times (meaning often) to be delivered from them (CHRYSOSTOM). But Paul’s affliction was intended for a higher purpose (THEODORET OF CYR). By grace his humility overcame his frailty (AMBROSE). By this it became clear that God’s power is made perfect in persecutions and sufferings (CYPRIAN, BASIL, SEVERIAN). When some infirmity or desolation attacks us, then our power is made mature if faith stands firm (NOVATIAN). The more trials we face, the more grace we are capable of receiving (CHRYSOSTOM). Does this imply that the devil is good because he is useful? On the contrary, he is evil because he is the devil, but God who is good and almighty draws many good things out of the devil’s malice (TERTULLIAN, AUGUSTINE). This incident shows that even a wrong prayer may receive a right answer (PELAGIUS, CASSIODORUS).

12:7 | A Thorn in the Flesh

THE DEVIL’S BORROWED POWER. TERTULLIAN: The right to tempt a man is granted to the devil … whether God or the devil initiates the plan or for the purpose of the judgment of a sinner, who is handed over to the devil as to an executioner. This was the case with Saul. “The spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled and stifled him.” Again, it may happen in order to humble a man, as St. Paul tells us that there was given to him a thorn, a messenger of Satan, to buffet him, and even this sort of thing is not permitted for the humiliation of holy men through torment of the flesh, unless it be done so that their power to resist may be perfected in weakness. The apostle himself handed Phigellus and Hermogenes over to Satan so that by being chastised they might not blaspheme. And so you see that, far from possessing power in his own right, the devil can more easily be granted it by the servants of God. FLIGHT IN TIME OF PERSECUTION 2.7.

ENRICHED BY TRIALS. AMBROSIASTER: Paul is testifying that God makes provision for those who have done well, while at the same time he allows them to be cast down by various trials. This is both so that they shall not be deprived of the fruits of their labors and that they may be enriched by their trials so that they may have even greater eternal rewards. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

HIS ADVERSARIES. CHRYSOSTOM: There are some who have said that Paul is referring to a pain in the head caused by the devil, but God forbid! The body of Paul could never have been given over to the devil, especially when we remember that the devil submitted to Paul when he was bidden to. In Hebrew, any adversary can be called Satan. What Paul means is that God would not allow the preaching of the gospel to go forward, so that his proud thoughts might be checked. Instead, Paul was attacked by adversaries like Alexander the coppersmith, the party of Hymenaeus and Philetus and all the opponents of the Word. These were the messengers of Satan. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 26.2.

IS THE DEVIL GOOD BECAUSE HE IS USEFUL? AUGUSTINE: “And so,” they ask, “is the devil good because he is useful?” On the contrary, he is evil insofar as he is the devil, but God who is good and almighty draws many just and good things out of the devil’s malice. For the devil has to his credit only his will by which he tries to do evil, not the providence of God that draws good out of him. AGAINST THE MANICHAEANS 2.28.42.

HIS PERSECUTION. SEVERIAN OF GABALA: Many people think this was some kind of headache, but in reality Paul is referring to the persecutions which he suffered, because they came from diabolical powers. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

MESSENGER OF SATAN. THEODORET OF CYR: By “messenger of Satan” Paul means the insults, attacks and riots which he had to face. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 349.

PRAYER IN OUR SUFFERING. AUGUSTINE: Therefore, in these trials which can be both our blessing and our bane, “we don’t know how we should pray,” yet, because they are hard, because they are painful, because they go against the feeling of our human weakness, by a universal human will we pray that our troubles may depart from us. But this need of devotion we owe to the Lord our God, that, if he does not remove them, we are not to think that he has deserted us but rather, by lovingly bearing evil, we are to hope for greater good. This is how power is made perfect in infirmity. To some, indeed, who lack patience, the Lord God, in his wrath, grants them what they ask, just as, on the other hand, he in his mercy refused the apostle’s requests. TO PROBA 130.

THE ADVANTAGE OF UNANSWERED PRAYER. CASSIODORUS: Paul begged that the flesh’s thorn be removed from him, but he was not heard by the Lord. The devil prayed that he might strike Job with the harshest of disasters, and we know that this was subsequently granted him. But Paul was denied the fulfillment of his prayer for his glory, whereas the devil was granted his for the devil’s pain. Thus it is often an advantage not to be heard even though postponement of our desires depresses us. EXPLANATION OF THE PSALMS 21.3.

FAITH PERFECTED IN WEAKNESS. CYPRIAN: Thus also the apostle Paul, after shipwrecks, after scourgings, after many grievous tortures of the flesh and body, says that he was not harassed but was corrected by adversity, in order that while he was the more heavily afflicted he might the more truly be tried. There was given to me, he says, a thorn in my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me lest I be exalted. Concerning this thorn I asked the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you: for power is made perfect in weakness.” When, therefore, some infirmity and weakness and desolation attacks us, then is our power made perfect, then our faith is crowned, if though tempted it has stood firm. … This finally is the difference between us and the others who do not know God, that they complain and murmur in adversity, while adversity does not turn us from the truth of virtue and faith but proves us in suffering. MORTALITY 13.

THE SEVERITY OF A FRIEND. AUGUSTINE: Not everyone who spares is a friend, nor is everyone who strikes an enemy. … Love mingled with severity is better than deceit with indulgence. It is more profitable for bread to be taken away from the hungry, if he neglects right living because he is sure of his food, than for bread to be broken to the hungry, to lead him astray into compliance with wrongdoing. The one who confines the madman, as well as the one who rouses the lethargic, is troublesome to both but loves both. Who could love us more than God does? Yet he continually teaches us sweetly as well as frightens us for our good. Often adding the most stinging medicine of trouble to the gentle remedies with which he comforts us, he tries the patriarchs, even good and devout ones, by famine; he chastises a stubborn people with heavier punishments; he does not take away from the apostle the sting of the flesh, though asked three times, so as to perfect strength in weakness. LETTER 93, TO VINCENT.

12:8 | I Besought the Lord

A PLEA NOT GRANTED. AMBROSIASTER: Although he asked three times, his request was not granted. It is not that he was disregarded but that he was making a plea which was against his own best interests. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THREE TIMES. CHRYSOSTOM: Three times means repeatedly. Paul could not bear the plots which were going on behind his back, and he sought to be delivered from them. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 26.3.

ANSWERS TO OUR ADVANTAGE. CHRYSOSTOM: Accordingly, whether we have our requests granted or not, let us persist in asking and render thanks not only when we gain what we ask but also when we fail to. Failure to gain, you see, when that is what God wants, is not worse than succeeding; we do not know what is to our advantage in this regard in the way he does understand. The result is, then, that succeeding or failing we ought to give thanks. Why are you surprised that we don’t know what is to our advantage? Paul, a man of such quality and stature, judged worthy of ineffable blessings, did not know what was advantageous in his requests: when he saw himself beset with trouble and diverse tribulations, he prayed to be rid of them, not once or twice but many times. “Three times I asked the Lord,” he says. … “Three” means he asked frequently without success. So let us see how he was affected by it: surely he didn’t take it badly? He didn’t turn fainthearted, did he? He didn’t become dispirited, did he? Not at all. On the contrary, what? God said, “My grace is sufficient for you; my power has its full effect in weakness.” Not only did he not free him of the troubles afflicting him, but he even allowed him to persevere in them. True enough; but how does it emerge that he did not take it badly? Listen to Paul’s own words when he learned what the Lord had decided: “I will gladly boast of my weaknesses.” Not only, he says, do I no longer seek to be rid of them, but I even boast of them with greater satisfaction. Do you see his grateful spirit? Do you see his love for God? … So we ought to yield to the Creator of our nature, and with joy and great relish accept those things that he has decided on and have an eye not to the appearance of events but to the decisions of the Lord. After all, he who knows better than we what is for our benefit also knows what steps must be taken for our salvation. HOMILIES ON GENESIS 30.16.

12:9 | The Power of Christ

FAITH CROWNED. CYPRIAN: When some infirmity and weakness and desolation attacks us, then our power is made perfect, and our faith is crowned if it has stood firm through temptation. ON MORTALITY 12.

UNJUST INJURIES. AMBROSIASTER: Paul is clearly teaching that the time for boasting is when one is being humiliated by unjust injuries. Christ gives us the power to endure these so that what previously appeared to be painful and loathsome may be accepted with gladness. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE IRONY OF WRONG PRAYER. PELAGIUS: We learn from this that even a wrong prayer will receive an answer, even if it does not get what it wants. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 12.

MORE TRIALS, MORE GRACE. CHRYSOSTOM: God told Paul that it was enough that he could raise the dead, cure the blind, cleanse lepers and do other miracles. He did not need exemption from danger and fear as well, or complete freedom to preach without any form of hindrance. Indeed, when these troubles come, God’s power of deliverance is shown, and the gospel triumphs in spite of persecution. The more the trials increased, the more grace increased as well. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 26.3.

MATURITY THROUGH PERSECUTION. SEVERIAN OF GABALA: God’s power is made perfect in persecutions and sufferings. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

FOR A HIGHER PURPOSE. THEODORET OF CYR: Paul wanted to make it clear that his affliction was not a natural property of the body but something which was intended by God for a higher purpose. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 350.

THE SOURCE OF OUR STRUGGLE. AUGUSTINE: The more one easily conquers, the less one needs combat. But who would fight within himself if there were no opposition from self? And why is there opposition from self if nothing remains in us to be healed and cured? Therefore, the sole cause of our fighting is weakness in ourselves. Again, weakness cautions against pride. Truly, that strength and virtue by which one is not proud in this life where he could be proud is made perfect in weakness. AGAINST JULIAN 4.2.11.

EVIL’S TESTIMONY TO GOODNESS. TERTULLIAN: Still, we must realize that as you cannot have a persecution without evil on the part of the devil or a trial of faith without a persecution, the evil that seems required for the trial of faith is not the cause of persecution but only its instrument. The real cause of the persecution is the act of God’s will, choosing that there be a trial of faith; then there follows evil on the part of the devil as the chosen instrument of persecution which is the proximate cause of the trial of faith. For in other respects too, insofar as evil is the rival of justice, to that extent it provides material to give testimony of that of which it is a rival, and so justice may be said to be perfected in injustice, as strength is perfected in weakness. For the weak things of the world are chosen by God that the strong may be put to shame, and the foolish things of this world to put to shame its wisdom. Thus even evil may be used that justice may be glorified when evil is put to shame. FLIGHT IN TIME OF PERSECUTION 2.1.

12:10 | Content for Christ’s Sake

STRONG IN WEAKNESS. AMBROSE: Humility like this does away with frailty. LETTER 1.

CONSOLATION IN AFFLICTION. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul wanted to be delivered from these things, but when God told him otherwise he accepted it and was even glad about it. There is consolation in affliction and grace in consolation. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 26.3-4.

PAUL COPED. THEODORET OF CYR: Paul does not say that he enjoyed these things but that he had learned to cope with them. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 350.

TRUE GLORY’S LOCATION. BASIL: Not in the amount of money, not in the pride of power, not in the height of glory is victory gained, but the Lord freely gives his help to those who seek him through excessive affliction. Such was Paul, who made his afflictions his boast. Therefore he was able to say, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” … Do you see where affliction leads you? To hope that does not disappoint. HOMILY 20 ON PSALM 59.