INTRODUCTION:

(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV])
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV])
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

All of the studies found here, whether book studies or topical studies, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, nor lexicons, nor concordances, nor commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief, apostasy, and a falling away from God Himself. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and as the New Testament was for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc.

Tyndale Bible
Coverdale Bible
Matthew's Bible
Great Bible
Geneva Bible
Bishop's Bible
King James/Authorized Bible

There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:

(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(1 Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV])
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!

Start of study

CORINTH: RICH GREEK CITY/STATE

(Acts 18:1 [KJV])
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

(Acts 18:8 [KJV])
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

(Acts 19:1,2 [KJV])
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

(2 Corinthians 1:1,2 [KJV])
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

(2 Corinthians 1:23 [KJV])
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

(2 Corinthians 6:11 [KJV])
O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

(2 Timothy 4:20 [KJV])
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

Lots of good, fresh water
Lots of good, arable soil
Lots of good clay for ceramics, pottery, etc., hence "Corinthian Pottery"
Shops, fountains, carved stone temples to the Greek gods, porticos, metal workshops abounded
As a part of a major shipping lane, Corinth has four ports, on the Gulf of Corinth, between two seas
A temple to Apollo was there
Another temple was one to Aphrodite, an acropolis known as Acrocorinth, that supplied prostitutes for the seafaring men, which made it a rich city
Perusing the two letters Paul wrote to them, it is obvious that they were apostate and backslidden.

2 CORINTHIANS 12: PAUL'S REVELATION

(2 Corinthians 12:1 [KJV])
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

So for certain, Paul tells them boasting in and of oneself helps no one, especially the one boasting
God showed him this; he cannot invent it, make it up
If it were made up, the rest, especially the thorn in the flesh, would be unnecessary
If it were made up, it would not be in Scripture, as all of Scripture is Revelation from God, inspired by the Holy Ghost (2 Timothy 3:16)

(2 Corinthians 12:2 [KJV])
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

No telling when this happened, but it is definitely rare in Scripture, much like John's Revelation
Because this man was in a large way responsible for so much New Testament writing, so much work building the Gentile church, his work enduring, remaining to today, this spectacular event had to happen
1. First heaven-air, where birds fly, clouds, weather
2. Earth, sun, moon, stars, comets, etc.
3. Where God dwells, the Throne, the angelic realm, unseen to us, unknown, unheard by us

(2 Corinthians 12:3 [KJV])
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

A very unusual situation, even in Scripture
This is a type of Rapture for sure
He, Paul, was there, body or not, consciously aware, he, his soul, his mind and eyes, body or no body, or a temporary glorified body
We will one day have a new body and this will not be our body that we are in now, but us, our soul, spirit, mind, and a new, another body, glorified

(2 Corinthians 12:4 [KJV])
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Heaven, third heaven, paradise, like the original creation of the Garden of Eden before the fall
Whatever God said to him cannot be repeated, whatever language, we have God's Divine Word, sufficient for us to read, recite, know and live by while here on earth, in these earthly bodies
What was said was private, between Paul and God only, so God had told him not to repeat it, the reason he experienced it would become apparent later, in time

(2 Corinthians 12:5 [KJV])
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

How do we glory in our infirmities? Through Christ's power and strength (Philippians 4:13) alone, not in ours
When we go through trials, really hard ones, many hard losses, we have things we cannot utter, lawful or unlawful-we do not know even how to pray or what to, but God then speaks for us, the Spirit prays for us
We do not need to go to the third heaven for this to happen, but rather through the fiery trials we can face on this earth
We do need to remember that it is God Who gets the glory when we relate testimonies of great things we see, experience, do, hear

(Romans 8:26 [KJV])
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

(2 Corinthians 12:6 [KJV])
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

In our nature, in the flesh, we want to boast, but God does not get the glory if we boast as though it is us who does these things, what great thing we do, not him
It is foolish, as Paul says here
It is above what we really are seen and heard as by men
So Paul could have been like these foolish Corinthian leaders, swelling with pride, boasting of his experience in the third heaven, but he said no

(2 Corinthians 12:7 [KJV])
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Whatever it is they thought that Paul thought of himself, this experience, this revelation of and in the third heaven was above theirs, and the only reason he even brought it up was to illustrate how foolish they were being
This messenger in our lives is very often those closest to us, or someone in fellowship
The self-exaltation would have been a a natural result of being a leader in the synagogue, a Pharisee, a son of a Pharisee, an exalted one in the minds of men, so then God Himself to show Himself strong would have to humble him and us, because we so easily think so much of ourselves if this does not happen

(2 Corinthians 12:8 [KJV])
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

We only are required to ask, to pray, to seek God
The results are up to Him, not us
Three times Paul asked, perhaps, like us, expecting an "OK. No problem. I will take it away from you. Enough is enough"

(2 Corinthians 12:9 [KJV])
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

If God always answered yes to all of our requests, then He would get no glory, we get everything we want, He is not God, but our own "sugar daddy"
If God always answered yes to all of our requests, He would not be not glorified, we are, and we think that it is because we deserve it, because we are so good, so filled with faith, etc.
If God always answered yes to all of our requests, we would get prideful, full of ourselves

(2 Corinthians 12:10 [KJV])
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

So sicknesses, weaknesses, bodily needs, illnesses inside, attacks from outside, make us stronger in Christ, not in our selves, our bodies
If we were that strong to take care of all of these needs, we would be little gods. We are not, God is the IAAM, we are His creation, His children and HE knows best, not us

(2 Corinthians 12:11 [KJV])
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

Paul is telling them that this is how they sound puffing themselves up towards him-FOOLISH
He is tellign them that they forced his hands, so this is an illustration to them of how they are
Nothing in our own flesh is what Paul acknowledges here, and yet not one step behind the top, the best apostles, called last, dead last
Paul did excel and win the prize, come in first, in one category-CHIEF SINNER

(1 Timothy 1:15 [KJV])
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

(2 Corinthians 12:12 [KJV])
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Paul tells them here that he ha shown them his authority, his calling, to be an apostle to the Gentiles, with the specific signs of an apostle
Patience is first, notice carefully. Because they are trying to wear through to get him in the flesh. After that comes the signs and wonders, not before, by importance

(2 Corinthians 12:13 [KJV])
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

Because Paul was a tenemaker, he did not always require donations for the work
Some churches gave; some did not. They thought that, because they did not have to, perhaps they would be counted as less generous
Such was not the case. They were not required to give as much since Paul worked, made his own living so as to be blameless, not burdensome, not needing their help, not because that they were greedy, stingy, like perhaps they thought he thought of them

(2 Corinthians 12:14 [KJV])
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome 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.

Today's televangelist$, famou$ author$, radio per$sonalitie$, publi$hing house$, etc., "do seek your$, not you".
They fleece the flock, being in it for the money, knowing the flock to be dumb, unstudied, ignorant and wanting to be
Paul would come again and be a tent maker, again, sparing them, again, being blameless before them, again

CARING FOR THE FLOCK, NOT FLEECING THEM

(Acts 20:28 [KJV])
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

(1 Corinthians 9:7 [KJV])
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

(1 Peter 5:2-3 [KJV])
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

(2 Peter 2:3 [KJV])
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Paul himself had warned them of this happening
Peter also had told them that, in order to do ministry full time, one had to get financial support to feed the flock
Peter had told them to spiritually feed the flock
Peter had warned them that there were false teachers, false apostles, making believe they were the real one, out for money only
Some things never change. The warning is still in God's Word, still applicable to today for sure

(2 Corinthians 12:15 [KJV])
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

And the reward for all of this is more false accuations, less love, more hate
This was fine to Paul, as he could make his own money, get donations from others, and this would reveal who was to be sifted as wheat among them
Spoiled brats are the same, no matter the age. The more you do, the more they whine, moan, groan-and hate you

(2 Corinthians 12:16 [KJV])
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

Wisdom is justified of her children
Paul's true disciples knew better; the false ones simply wanted to take over, gain power
Now imagine the ones there who did not catch them, guile or no guile

(Matthew 10:16 [KJV])
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

(Luke 10:3 [KJV])
Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

(Matthew 11:19 [KJV])
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

(2 Corinthians 12:17-18 [KJV])
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

Because of gathering donations for the work, the false accusers apparently claimed Paul et al were fleecing the flock
The implied answer to each of these questions is a resounding, "NO! I did not steal from you, fleece you, nor did Titus, nor his companions"

(2 Corinthians 12:19 [KJV])
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

We are not making this up, we are not needing excuses for our behavior, we owe no apologies, no explanations, are unashamed, having done nothing wrong

(2 Corinthians 12:20 [KJV])
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

In the original language, that is (tongue in cheek) "You Corinthian leaders, when I arrive, will want to chastise me and divide the flock. This is all caused by your own private doctrine, your desire to have power, your desire to cause problems for your own gain. It is your will, not God's, being done"

(2 Corinthians 12:21 [KJV])
And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

In our flesh, being confronted by fools who are very arrogant, then we will be confrontational
Bewailing means grieving of a man, Paul, grieving the Holy Ghost in Him and us
It should always grieve our spirit when we only catch wind, only hear of this sort of behavior, especially when it is those who we have personally discipled

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2 Corinthians 13