Part 770 (1/2)

11:21. I seek according to dishonour, as if we had been weak in this part. Wherein if any man dare (I speak foolishly), I dare also.

11:22. They are Hebrews: so am I. They are Israelites: so am I. They are the seed of Abraham: so am I.

11:23. They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise): I am more; in many more labours, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.

11:24. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes save one.

11:25. Thrice was I beaten with rods: once I was stoned: thrice I suffered s.h.i.+pwreck: a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea.

11:26. In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren:

11:27. In labour and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness:

11:28. Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches.

My daily instance... The labours that come in, and press upon me every day.

11:29. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire?

11:30. If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity.

11:31. The G.o.d and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for ever, knoweth that I lie not.

11:32. At Damascus, the governor of the nation under Aretas the king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, to apprehend me.

11:33. And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall: and so escaped his hands.

2 Corinthians Chapter 12

His raptures and revelations, His being buffeted by Satan. His fear for the Corinthians.

12:1. If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed) but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

12:2. I know a man in Christ: above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not: G.o.d knoweth), such a one caught up to the third heaven.

12:3. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: G.o.d knoweth):

12:4. That he was caught up into paradise and heard secret words which it is not granted to man to utter.

12:5. For such an one I will glory: but for myself I will glory nothing but in my infirmities.

12:6. For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish: for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.

12:7. And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.

12:8. For which thing, thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me.

12:9. And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Power is made perfect... The strength and power of G.o.d more perfectly s.h.i.+nes forth in our weakness and infirmity; as the more weak we are of ourselves, the more ill.u.s.trious is his grace in supporting us, and giving us the victory under all trials and conflicts.