2 Corinthians — Chapter 12
Visions and the thorn
12:1
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
I must boast. It is not beneficial, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Trials are a safer ground for boasting than extraordinary revelations. [Homily 26, on 2 Corinthians 12:1].
12:2
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
I know a man in Christ fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or outside the body I do not know; God knows—such a one was caught up as far as the third heaven.
Textual & reception notes
The third heaven is preserved as stated; no complete map of heavens is supplied. The speaker’s uncertainty about bodily mode is explicit.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The long silence and indirect narration display Paul's reluctance to boast. [Homily 26, on 2 Corinthians 12:2-5].
12:3
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
And I know such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know; God knows—
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Admitted uncertainty about the body's role exemplifies modesty. [Homily 26, on 2 Corinthians 12:2-5].
12:4
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
that he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not permitted to speak.
Textual & reception notes
Inexpressible and not permitted to speak are both retained; the text does not disclose the content of the words.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He connects the ascent with Paul's standing alongside the other apostles. [Homily 26, on 2 Corinthians 12:2-5].
12:5
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast except in weaknesses.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The third-person account concerns Paul himself while avoiding overt self-praise. [Homily 26, on 2 Corinthians 12:2-5].
12:6
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For if I should desire to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will speak truth. But I refrain, lest anyone reckon concerning me beyond what he sees me to be or hears from me.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Restraint prevents readers from forming an exaggerated estimate of Paul. [Homily 26, on 2 Corinthians 12:6].
12:7
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
And because of the surpassing revelations, therefore, so that I might not be exalted, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to strike me, so that I might not be exalted.
Textual & reception notes
The repeated so that I might not be exalted is present in the source. Thorn, skolops, can also mean a pointed stake; no disease is diagnosed. For English syntax the opening revelation phrase is joined to this sentence, whereas the accessed punctuation joins it to the preceding sentence; the causal relation remains provisional.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He interprets the thorn as hostile opponents rather than bodily illness. [Homily 26, on 2 Corinthians 12:7].
12:8
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Concerning this I appealed to the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He takes the repeated petition as an earnest appeal for relief. [Homily 26, on 2 Corinthians 12:8].
12:9
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is brought to completion in weakness.” Therefore I will most gladly boast rather in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell over me.
Textual & reception notes
Text [G]: The clause says power without an explicit My before it. Dwell over renders episkēnoō and preserves its tenting image; the following identifies the power as Christ’s.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Successful ministry amid persecution manifests the sufficiency of divine power. [Homily 26, on 2 Corinthians 12:9].
12:10
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Therefore I am content in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, for Christ’s sake; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The divine answer changes Paul's attitude toward his trials. [Homily 26, on 2 Corinthians 12:10].
Signs of the apostle and care for the community
12:11
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
I have become a fool; you compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for I fell short in nothing of the exceedingly great apostles, even if I am nothing.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The community's situation has compelled this otherwise unwelcome self-defense. [Homily 27, on 2 Corinthians 12:11].
12:12
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Indeed, the signs of the apostle were worked among you in all endurance, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Patience accompanies miraculous signs as evidence of apostolic ministry. [Homily 27, on 2 Corinthians 12:12].
12:13
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For in what were you treated as inferior to the other Churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The request for forgiveness ironically defends ministry without financial burden. [Homily 27, on 2 Corinthians 12:13].
12:14
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Look, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden. For I seek not your things but you; for the children ought not to store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul seeks their persons rather than their money, like a parent. [Homily 27, on 2 Corinthians 12:14].
12:15
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved less?
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Pastoral love spends itself even when affection is poorly returned. [Homily 27, on 2 Corinthians 12:15].
12:16
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
But let it be so: I did not burden you. Yet, being crafty, I caught you by deceit!
Textual & reception notes
The claim of catching by deceit is an ironic presentation of a possible accusation, tested by the following questions. It is not presented as an instruction to deceive.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The allegation of crafty collection is anticipated and rebutted. [Homily 28, on 2 Corinthians 12:16-18].
12:17
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Did I take advantage of you through anyone whom I sent to you?
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The Corinthians themselves can testify against claims of indirect exploitation. [Homily 28, on 2 Corinthians 12:16-18].
12:18
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
I urged Titus, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? In the same footsteps?
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Titus and Paul share the same Spirit and financial restraint. [Homily 28, on 2 Corinthians 12:16-18].
Concern before another visit
12:19
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Have you been thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. And all things, beloved, are for your building up.
Textual & reception notes
Text [G]: Palai means all this time or long ago, not again. The question preserves the accessed wording.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul's defense aims at their edification. [Homily 28, on 2 Corinthians 12:19].
12:20
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For I fear lest somehow, when I come, I may find you not as I wish, and I may be found by you not as you wish; lest there be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slanders, whisperings, inflations of pride, disorders;
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Concern softens the warning about the conduct Paul might discover. [Homily 28, on 2 Corinthians 12:20].
12:21
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
lest, when I come again, my God may humble me before you, and I may mourn many of those who sinned before and did not repent of the impurity and sexual immorality and licentiousness they practiced.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The sins of others become an occasion of personal pastoral grief. [Homily 28, on 2 Corinthians 12:21].