CORINTHIANS
CHAPTER 12
Paul caught up to the third heaven—The Lord gives men weaknesses that they may triumph over them—Paul manifests the signs of an apostle.
1 IT is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 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. [ "third heaven", there are three "heavens" spoken of in the Scriptures: the firmament, the stars (i. e., outer space), and where God dwells. LDS people see Paul as referring to the third glory in heaven, or the Celestial Kingdom by cross reference with 1 Cor. 15:41. However, most, if not all, other non-LDS commentators see this as referring to the heaven in which God dwells. The man whom Paul knew was Paul himself. Joseph Smith reports: “Paul ascended into the third heavens, and he could understand the three principal rounds of Jacob’s ladder—the telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial glories or kingdoms, where Paul saw and heard things which were not lawful for him to utter.” (Teachings, pp. 304–5.)]
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
6 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.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, [ What do you suppose Paul is talking about when he speaks of having a thorn in the flesh? What are some of the thorns in the flesh that Paul might be talking about here? 2 Cor 11:24-27 Paul has asked the Lord numerous times (see vs 8)to take this thorn from him; but never the less he remains diligent, presses forward in the work of the Lord and relizes that he gets his strength from the Lord. The word Paul uses here literally means “a Pale” (as in impaled) or “a stake.” It was used to refer to sharpened stakes, to surgical instruments, or to fishhooks. The very term suggests something that was extremely painful and troublesome to Paul. There have been endless debates on what such an infirmity might be, and the suggestions have included a bitter and shrewish wife who turned against Paul at his conversion, epilepsy, a serious eye affliction, malaria, and some spiritual weakness with which he was constantly troubled. There is no way of knowing from the present records what Paul meant. What we can be sure of is that each of us has weaknesses, spiritual as well as physical, which Satan will use to challenge us. Elder Harold B. Lee said: “The Lord has told us in the scriptures that Satan is an enemy of all righteousness; because of that fact, those who are standing in high places in our Father’s kingdom will become the objects of his attacks. You may well expect, as the Apostle Paul understood, that you who preside in the various places in our Father’s kingdom will be subject to the devil’s onslaughts. “. . . sometimes there is given infirmity, difficulty, hardship upon you to try your souls; and the powers of Satan seem to be enrolled against you, watching and trying to break down your powers of resistance: but your weakness, through those infirmities, will give you the power of God that shall rest upon you even as the Apostle Paul was reconciled and comforted by the thought that through his trials the power of God might rest upon him.” (CR, Oct. 1949, 57.)] the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [ What does he mean by this comment? Could he be saying unless I would get caught up in pride? ]
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [ Why does the Lord not remove this weakness from Paul? Why does the Lord allow us to continue in our weakness? Why does the Lord give us weaknesses? The Book of Mormon says that the Lord gives us weakness that we may make them strengths.]
9 And he said unto me, [The Lord said to him] 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.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, [ Do I take pleasure in my infirmities, my trails? What is wrong with me if I don't ? What principal does Paul understand that I do not? That trail is part of the plan, without the trail we cannot recome like him, our Father in Heaven that we want to understand and become like. Trail makes us rely on him even more, trail gives us empathy, understanding and wisdom. Does it appear from these passages that there was a connection between the intensity of Paul’s afflictions and the degree to which the power of Christ could rest upon him? Now what of you? For surely you have trials. Surely you are no stranger to affliction. Do you bring them upon yourself by disobedience or lack of wisdom? Read D&C 98:3.] in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11 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.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13 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.
14 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.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
18 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?
19 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.