Good morning again! These weekends seem to goby so quickly! Saturday was a beautiful day for lawn mowing and gardening. Lots done and lots more to do! Sunday was a good day at Little Meadows followed by a good day at Good Shepherd Endwell. I had a great time with the group discussing the Edenic Covenant- God's first promise to humanity...until someone ate the apple!
I spoke with Jack on Saturday night. His surgery went well and then his re-visit to get his battery pack installed was successful. The doctor seems quite pleased with this procedure and is very hopeful that Jack's shaking in his hands will improve. He gets "powered-up" in a few weeks and will know more then.
I have read this chapter a few times- and it seems out of place and strange....but let's try!
Paul begins with the comment about nothing is to gain by boasting- but then goes and does it?! I think part of his "boasting" is to show the Corinthians that he is genuine and good and concerned about their church. I am sure he would rather talk about Jesus- but I think he feels he needs to boost himself in front of the Corinthians because of their doubt about him. He begins talking about a vision and a revelation that "a person in Christ" (v 2) had. Paul is talking about himself, but doing it in the third person- commentaries are unsure why he is doing it this way! Fourteen years ago (and we don't know when 2 Corinthians was written, so we don't know the date 14 years prior!) this man was taken to the third heaven. The first heaven refers to the blue sky, the second heaven is the starry night, the third heaven is where God lives. So Paul had a vision of God's throne- based on this letter. Paul also references this place as Paradise (v 4). A common theology (and one that I understand) is that after death people go to Paradise (Garden of Eden type place) awaiting Jesus' return when souls will be lifted to heaven with God. Paul heard something- but we don't know what (v 4).
The story becomes more strange when we hear that Satan impaled a thorn (the original Greek translated to tent stake!) into Paul's hip (v 7). This was to prevent Paul from becoming too proud- and God allowed it (remember the story of Job!). This was supposedly to prevent Paul from becoming too proud and too mighty. Paul even comments that he pleaded with God (v 9), but God responded, "My grace is sufficient." We need to remember those words! Paul's dependence on God mad him more strong and made him more full of zeal for Jesus!
Paul begins to end this chapter with an almost apology for boasting, but then says, "You made me do it!" (v 11-12). If you had believed me in the first place, I wouldn't have had to do this and I could have just talked about Jesus! Paul talks about the many signs and wonders that happened in Corinth from his visits, but the people still didn't believe his apostolic standing. He tried many times, but they didn't believe him. Why didn't Paul just give up?
Paul's first visit (Acts 18:11) was 18 months and he planted the church; his second visit was between the writings of 1 and 2 Corinthians (and was a painful hard visit). Now he is preparing for a third visit (v 14)! When he comes, he will not ask for handouts or material goods (v 14; except for the offering for Jerusalem). He looked at himself as their "spiritual father" so he didn't want to take anything from the "children" (v 14). Paul continues to hammer home the idea that neither he nor his disciples took anything from Corinth in their missionary trips (vv 16-18).
Everything Paul did for the Corinthian Christians was to build them up to the Lord. Every letter he wrote, every prayer he prayed, every visit he did was so they could build strength in God. There is so much tension between Paul and this church- but he continues to go strong with them; he continues to build and work on relationships. He is worried that when he comes for the next visit, things will be just as tense (v 20-21). He is struggling with the upcoming visit, but he knows he has to do it! We have all had those visits to people- those that cause our anxiety to go through the roof!
I really feel Paul's struggle and apprehension here. I can sense the compassion he has for the group- but also the fear of a repeat from the last time. Paul definitely is a worker for God. Do we have Paul's strength?
I hope you get lots from today's reading. Tomorrow we finish Paul's letter and then move to James. There is lots of great material in James!
Have a great day!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
I also find the beginning of this chapter a bit confusing. But here is my question - my commentary in my bible states that the first heaven is the earth's atmosphere and the second heaven is outer space and its constellations and then the third heaven where God is. Thus as it says in Hebrews that the Lord passed "into the heavens" (plural) and in Ephesians "ascended up far above all heavens and Hebrews again "made higher than the heavens. BUT it goes on to say that Paradise and the third heaven are synonymous - where believers who have died are in the presence of the Lord. Here are my questions, don't Methodists believe that we go to Paradise and THEN go to the heaven where God is? And, if we believe that, where is Paradise? What heaven? I mean in my translation vs. 4 says "How that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." I am thinking that those words came from God ????? And why would they be unlawful to utter? And yet Paul can say what God said to him about the Thorne? Something, I am guessing, is like our saying - cross to bear? It seems strange that Paul continues this letter in this vain when a few chapters ago he received news from Titus that all was well with the Corinthians???? I did love the vs. "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. " How sad.
ReplyDeleteGood questions and thoughts Donna. So, what do you believe? Do we really know where heaven is or what it is like? My understanding of Methodist theology is like you said. When we die, we go to Paradise (an Eden like place?) until Christ's return, when we are then (hopefully) swept up to Heaven (where God resides). But isn't God present with us here? I guess we won't really know until the day comes!!
DeleteThe words were spoken by God, and I'm not sure why there were "unlawful to utter". There seems to be lots of confusion in the commentaries also. I checked about half a dozen and none agree!
Good point- look at the thorn as a cross to bear. God didn't want Paul to be too pompous about his revelation, so gave him (well allowed Satan to give Paul) the thorn so he would talk about that instead.
I do hear sadness in Paul's words- he is stronger than I!
Thanks Donna!
What a beautiful weekend this is my mind kind of weather. We had a very successful walk run for Stachestrong on Saturday. We took one of the girls with challenges with us and then put to dinner. My husband and I both enjoy time with Jessica. Sunday was family dinner outside. Jack you continue to be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteMy first question was going to be about the three heavens. Thank you Pastor Paul and Donna for your explanations. It seems that Paul wants to be acknowledged for his hard work and devotion. I think we could probably all related to that. I can remember working really hard on a project at work and thinking does anyone see how hard I am working and then being pleased when it is acknowledged.
Having to deal with someone who makes you anxious is hard. Just yesterday there was a family member who did not come to dinner and we were all relieved if we were to be honest. I pray for patients every day.
Paul's strength is something to be admired.
Paul does want to be acknowledged for his work- but he also doesn't want to sound too pompous or holy. We sometimes struggle with that. Paul does like to work in the background, but will take credit when he needs to or will defend himself (as he has several times in this book) when he needs.
DeletePaul's drive and persistence is something great! I am sure I would have given up on the Corinthians!
Thanks Cindy!
Another confusing chapter from Paul. Paul"s "vision" reminds me of people that have reported what they have seen with near death experiences where they speak of seeing deceased loved ones wanting them to come with them of seeing a great light the seems to beckon them .Paul did have some near death experience himself so could this be what he saw at that time? He also speaks of a "thorn in his side" that was he weakness but made him stronger because he had to endure it. I think that often hardships or "thorns" that we have to face can either make us stronger or weaker depending on how we handle them Perhaps that is why God [laces them in our lives tomake us stronger?
ReplyDeletePaul's vision does have a "near death experience" vibe doesn't it! Maybe this is what his vision was?
DeleteWe all have "thorns" in our side. Remember the story of Jacob wrestling with an angel (Genesis 32)...similar concept!
God does allow those thorns to happen to strengthen us- good thought!
Thanks Clara!
I have never heard of the first, second or third heaven before, but I have always believed that the "Heaven" were we go to when we die is outside of the Universe that we are taught about in school. Further, I also believe that there are concepts that we are not meant to understand, one being that of the Universe. Does the Universe end? Where does it end? How does it end? Do we smack into a wall? Is it spherical in shape? Another is the concept of Heaven. Where is it? What does God look like? Is Jesus there? What is He look like? Do they speak English?
ReplyDeleteIn verses 11ff, Paul appears to berate himself for his attitude toward the Corinthians, and he seems to blame the Corinthians for it.
He states that he will be visiting them for a third time, but he will not be a burden to them. It is obvious that he loves them as a parent loves his children.
I am sorry we missed the surprise party that you had for Pastor last week, but we were busy ourselves. Thursday was the day of my second surgery and we were probably on our way home at the time of the festivities. We got home just as the sun was going down over the hill to our west. (Remember, what we call hills, you call mountains!) This was about 6:00 PM, MDT, or 8:00 PM, EDT.
It is good to be back. I feel better with each day and I hope to be 100% soon. Thank you for all your prayers and your words of encouragement.
We would all like to know where Heaven is and what it looks like! I hope I get there some day!! And great point- there are some things we are just not meant to know (right now). A big discussion a college friend and I would get into is what is after infinity? He was a math major, I was animal science- we had some great talks! We all question what is out there- and it is good to question so we can learn more!
ReplyDeleteGood point- Paul loves them like a parent loves a child. Sometimes we may not like them- but we will always love them!
Good that you are on the mend- we miss both of you at LM!
Thanks Jack!