The bragging continues, but now it moves to visions and revelations.
12:2–4
If we accept year 55 as the year when this letter was written that 14 years ago would fall on 41 CE. This could not be at Damascus, which is considered to happen in 37 CE.
The third heaven - the Jews speculated on different levels of heaven - with the highest (some say the third others the seventh) reserved for God.
In the NT, paradise is mentioned three times. In Luke 23:43 it refers to the abode of the righteous dead. In Rev 2:7 it refers to the restoration of Edenic paradise predicted in Isa 51:3 and Ezek 36:35. The reference here in 2 Cor 12:4 is probably to be translated as parallel to the mention of the “third heaven” in v. 2. Assuming that the “first heaven” would be atmospheric heaven (the sky) and “second heaven” the more distant stars and planets, “third heaven” would refer to the place where God dwells. This is much more likely than some variation on the seven heavens mentioned in the pseudepigraphic book 2 Enoch and in other nonbiblical and rabbinic works.
The “unspeakable words” - the reality of paradise cannot be described with words but it can strengthen the faith of Paul facing the suffering.
Note that the man who climbed the third heaven was also led down in the basket (11:32–33).
12:5–6
Today, one could make himself into a celebrity having such mystical experiences. Not so with Paul. Paul clearly distinguishes what is from God and what is from him:
From God - all the graces and experiences;
From him - weaknesses.
It seems that Paul did not want to publicized his mystical experiences - although all of them were true. He was ‘forced’ by the Corinthians (12:11).
12:7–8
Moreover, God himself took care of Paul. In order to prevent him from dangerous boasting, he gave him “a thorn in the flesh”. It probably refers to a recurring sickness that often plague his body (see Gal 4:13–14 - malaria?).
This experience - painful - is names as “the messenger of Satan”. In the Bible, Satan is understood as the one who tests our faith (see Job 2:6 - sickness is caused by Satan with God’s permission).
Paul prayed for himself here. In Mark 14:35–41, Jesus also prays three times for himself. Note, the similarity.
12:9a
Neither Jesus nor Paul got their request. But, according to Luke 22:43, the angel strengthened Christ, and here Jesus himself strengthens Paul.
12:9b–10
The paradox: our weakness opens us for Christ’s strength (Phil 4:13).
12:12
The signs of the apostle (see 1 Thess 1:5; Rom 15:19). Paul adds here patience. Yes, one had to have a lot of patience with such community like the Corinthians. In Gal 5:22, patience is mentioned among the fruits of the Spirit. God also has a lot of patience with us.
12:13
A sarcasm. Although he can demand financial support from the community he established (1 Cor 9:14), Paul does not do it in this situation (11:9, 2 Thess 3:7–9).
Announcement of another visit
12:14–18
Announcing another (third) visit, Paul again stands by his convictions. Once again wonders why. But, it is an interesting point.
If Paul accepted financial help from the Corinthians, he would make himself dependent on them. But, Paul is their ‘father’, because he ‘gave birth’ to them through the Gospel. And as a father he should provide for them, not them for him.
Paul goes as far as stating that like Christ who gave up himself for us, Paul is ready to give up himself for them.
Some claimed that Paul’s attitude ‘fooled’ the Corinthians. Yes, Paul himself did not get any money from them, but his co-workers did (Titus or the other brother - see 1 Cor 16:1–4; 2 Cor 8:16–23). It seems that the collection for Jerusalem presented itself as a problem. It seems that some doubted Paul’s intentions and whether such huge amount of money was really going to be used for the poor and not for personal gain.
12:19
All those clarifications had one purpose to build the Corinthians up and not as a mean to excuse Paul and his companions.
12:20–21
Paul’s concern regarding the Corinthians. As we could see, Paul’s attitude towards Corinthians was rather kind and tolerant. But, it seems that it did not work in their case. The eight sins or vices mentioned here were actually plaguing the community (see for example 1 Cor 1:11; 14:2–4 - the competition between speaking in tongues and prophecying).
In 12:21 - we have additional three sins (see 1 Cor 5:1–11; 6:12–20).
Paul once was already humiliated. Now, he is afraid that the same thing could happen again. The object of humiliation is the lack of repentance on the part of some of the members.