2 Corinthians, 12
19. All this time you have been thinking that we have been pleading our own cause before you; no, we have been speaking in Christ and in the presence of God -- and all, dear friends, to build you up.
19. All this time you have been thinking that we have been pleading our own cause before you; no, we have been speaking in Christ and in the presence of God -- and all, dear friends, to build you up.
Chapter 12 of 2 Corinthians talks about Paul's supernatural experience of being brought to the third heaven and not to glory too much, he was tormented with a "thorn in the flesh." Moreover, Paul defends his apostolic authority and encourages Corinthians to repent and reconcile with God.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4: "I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago, has been taken up to the third heaven. If it was in the body or outside the body, I don't know, God knows it. And I know that this man-if if In body or outside, I do not know, but God knows it - "Paul speaks of his own supernatural experience of being brought to the third heaven, but it is not right if it was in body or spirit.
2 Corinthians 12:7: "To prevent me from exalting myself because of the greatness of these revelations, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." Paul mentions his "thorn in the flesh," which is a source of great suffering, but God has allowed him to keep him humble.
2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me," My grace is enough for you, for my power is perfect in weakness. "Therefore, I will gloring myself even more happily in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest in me." God responds to Paul by saying that his grace is enough to deal with his "thorn in the flesh," and that his power is perfected in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:10: "Therefore, for the sake of Christ, I rejoice in weaknesses, insults, needs, persecution, anguish. For when I am weak, I am strong." Paul says that instead of being discouraged by his weaknesses and difficulties, he rejoices in them because it is when the strength of Christ is more visible in his life.
2 Corinthians 12:19: "Do you think we have been justifying ourselves before you? Is it before God that we have spoken in Christ, and all we do, beloved friends, is to build them." Paul reaffirms his apostolic authority and his commitment to build the Church of Corinth in Christ.
“Onde há mais sacrifício, há mais generosidade.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
