Lectionary Year B
July 6, 2003
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Step II: Disposition
(BE) A. GENRE
The pericope comes in direct address with simple narrative about an
inexpressable event.
Paul makes allusion to "a man," which is himself it would appear (given verse
7). Paul
models humility by establishing twice that he does not know his state of
being during
the trip, that no one can express what he saw, and by not mentioning his
name directly
or attributing any qualities of apostleship or otherwise to a man who would
be taken up.
Also, humility is modeled in the emphasis on being caught up to heaven.
(BE) B. PERSONAL INTERACTIONS
The structure of the text seems to emphasize the importance of the grace and
power of
God. My own summary of the passage follows:
What God does through a man caught up to heaven, of that Paul will boast.
Of what
belongs to a man, Paul will only boast of the weaknesses. This is Paul's
preference
because in boasting of the weaknesses, the grace and power of Christ might
rest on him,
as well as Chist's strength. Paul must guard against exaltation above
measure, but in
any case God is guarding against it by leaving Paul with the thorn but also
with the
message that God's grace is sufficient and that God's power is perfected in our
weakness.
Why does Paul say "God only knows" twice?
What is the third heaven?
It seems that Paul is saying: One can boast if it is the truth and not be a
fool, but it is
important that peoples' opinion match your speech and actions and not the
height to
which God lifts you. This latter point is important not only to Paul but
also to God,
ergo the thorn is not taken away.
Where are the places I have been caught up - or in other words where are the
points
where Baron stops and God starts in the things that I do?
Is weakness only usefull to perfect God's power when the weakness is
manifested "for the
sake of Christ?"
When we fail to acknowledge God in all our ways, does our
weakness fail
to bring about the power of Christ?
What makes something for the sake of
Christ?
Can
we do enough for the sake of Christ?
Does God send us messengers of Satan?
This text encourages me because I think of overcoming obstacles and the
active presence
of God.
| Return to Gospel text listings | Return to Epistle text listings |
| Return to Old Testament listings | Return to Psalm listings |
| User response form |