Bible Questions #5540-5554

By Joyce Webb

II Corinthians     Chp 12     Vs. 1-21

Paul is still trying to show the believers in Corinth that he has the knowledge and experience in the Lord—to be their teacher.

5540. Verse 1 Paul speaks about v_____________ he has had.
He speaks of things the Lord has revealed—shown to him.

5541. Verse 2 Paul says—he knew a man—about ______ years ago. (Paul is really talking about himself. He was that man.)

Verse 3 He said—he did not know if he was “out of his body” and his body was actually somewhere other than on earth—-or if he was just seeing this thing in his mind.

5542. He said he was caught up into the ________ heaven.

He heard things that were too amazing to be told.

Verse 5 That experience is something I could “glory in”—feel special or proud of. But I will not do it.

5543. Verse 6 I could be proud about it—but that would be f_______________.
That experience was true—and really happened,—-but I do not want people to think that I am bragging about it.

5544. Verse 7 God has shown me wonderful things. But to keep me from being proud and “puffed up”—-God has given me a “_____________________”—to keep me humble.

5545. Verse 8 I prayed to God ______ times—that he would take it away.

5546. Verse 9 But God said to me, “My ___________ is sufficient (enough) for you.”

5547. “ For my _______________ is seen—-by your I w_________________”

(Bible teachers think this “thorn in the flesh” was problems with Paul’s eyes.

Because later on, in writing his letters to the churches—-someone else wrote the words as Paul said them. Then at the end of the letter Paul said—”See, I have signed my name to this letter myself.” So that they would know that the words were from Paul.

It seems Paul could not see well enough to write the letter. But he signed his name.)

(Notice: that Paul prayed for healing 3 times. But God said 5548. “No.” “My grace is s_____________ (enough) for you. My strength will be seen in your weakness.”

We often wonder why God heals some people——and some people do not get healed.

That is hard to explain. There are some preachers who say—You did not have enough faith.

Paul would have had enough faith—but he still was not healed.

Some things are hard to understand. We need to give them to God—and let God decide. We need to submit to however ever he deals with us.

We need God and his forgiveness of our sin. We need his strength. We need Him to supply our many needs.
We need Him to go to heaven.

We need Him for all these things—-more than we need healing for our body.

It would do us no good to get bitter— and turn from God—-just because he did not heal us.

As God told Paul, —God’s grace and help is enough for us to keep going.)

5549. Verse 9 Paul said—-So, I will be happy in my weakness—so that the p_________ of God will be seen.

5550. Verse 10 So, I will be happy in my infirmities (weakness), people criticizing me, —in needing things, when people hurt me—-because “when I am w__________, then I am s__________” (in the Lord’s strength).

Verse 11 I have been talking foolishly—with this boasting.

Yet I have felt that you have pushed me to it. You seem to think that I am not as good or have the knowledge—that some of those new preachers that have come to you.

You think I am less than them. But I have the experience and knowledge equal to the best of the disciples and apostles.

Even though—I think of myself as weak and in need of God’s strength.

5551. Verse 12 When I was with you—-you saw the “s__________” of a person being an apostle.

(Paul prayed for people and they were healed, a man who fell from a high window–and died—was prayed for and came alive again, people were prayed for and received the Holy Spirit)

Verse 13 Paul said—The only thing I did not do—-that happened in other churches—I did not accept payment for preaching.

I worked with my own hands and made my own money to supply my needs.

5552. Verse 14 I will be coming to you for the 3rd time. I will not be asking for payment. I don’t want your money—I want
________.

5553. Children don’t pay for their p__________—-parents pay for their c________________. (Paul feels that he is their “spiritual father”.

I will gladly spend myself for you—-for your spiritual good.

It seems the more I love you—-the less you love me.

Verse 16 Some of you will admit that I did not take advantage of you.

And yet, they still think that somehow I tricked them.

Verse 17 Did I get a reward or gain anything by the young teachers I sent to you?

5554. Verse 18 I sent T__________ and a Christian brother with him. Did he get a reward or gift from you?

He had the same spirit I had. He did the same as I did.

Verse 19-21 I think when I come to you—-I will have to say hard things to you—-because I will find that you are doing many things that are wrong.

I think I will find people arguing, fighting, being jealous, and angry, —saying mean things about each others— being proud.

Some have sinned–with sexual sins—and lustful pleasures—-and have not repented of them.