(Old Testament quotations/allusions are underlined. [Brackets] indicate a textual variant.fnWhen two (or more) different copies of an original manuscript disagree on any given word or phrase — addition, omission, word order, etc. — the disagreement is called a "textual variant". ~99% of existing textual variants are either minor (like spelling), obviously not original (often appearing only in a few late manuscripts), or don't affect meaning (like "Jesus Christ" vs. "Christ Jesus"). The ~1% that remain do not affect any central doctrine of Christianity. The BOS Bible only marks significant textual variants that affect the meaning; smaller variants that do not affect meaning won't be marked for readability. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.fn"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings — agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. An asterisk (*) indicates a verb in the Greek perfect tense.fnThe Greek perfect tense signifies a completed action in the past with a result and/or an ongoing state that extends into the present. For example, Hebrews 12:2 says in part: "He *sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"; the verb for "sat" is in the perfect tense, indicating that He sat down once (completed action in the past), and also that He remains seated until the present moment (ongoing state).)
Paul’s Sarcastic Boasting Continues
(Parallel teachings: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; Philippians 4:11-13; Isaiah 40:29-31)
(Thematic parallels: Matthew 26:36-46)
- 1 To boast is necessary, but indeed not profitable, yet I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
- 2 I *knew a man in the Anointed fourteen years ago. (I don’t *know whether in the body or out of the body, I don’t *know; God *knows) Such a man was snatched up to the third heaven.
- 3 And I *knew such a man, (whether in the body or separate from the body, I don’t *know; God *knows)
- 4 that he was snatched up into paradise and heard unspeakably sacredfn“unspeakably sacred” is one word in Greek which refers to words which are so holy/sacred that they either cannot or should not be spoken by man. words that aren’t lawful for man to speak.
- 5 I will boast about such a man, but I won’t boast about myself except in my weaknesses.
- 6 For even if I wanted to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool for I would speak the truth. But I refrain, lest someone think of me more than what he sees in me or hears of me,
- 7 and the exceeding greatness of my revelations. Therefore, a thorn in the fleshfnquotation/allusion to Numbers 33:55; Ezekiel 28:24; Joshua 23:13; Job 1-2 is also contextually relevant, see footnote on “messenger”. Scholars disagree on what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” is. The major views are: (1) It was a physical malady, most often suggested to be an eye condition because of Galatians 4:13-15 and 6:11. (Some also cite Acts 23:5, suggesting that Paul failed to recognize the high priest because of poor eyesight.) (2) It was a man or men who created major problems for Paul. (3) It was a demon (i.e. an “angel of Satan”; see footnote on “messenger”) who hindered him directly. (4) It was a demon who caused physical problems for Paul, and/or stirred up men to hinder him. was given to me so that I don’t exalt myself,fn“exalt myself” could also be translated “be exalted” because the middle and passive endings for this Greek word are the same. a messengerfn“messenger” could also be translated “angel”, since this word can mean either depending on the context. An “angel of Satan” would be a demon, see Revelation 12:7-9 of Satan to torment me so that I don’t exalt myself.fn“exalt myself” could also be translated “be exalted” because the middle and passive endings for this Greek word are the same.
- 8 I begged the Lord about this three times so that it might depart from me,
- 9 and He has said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for [My] power is completed in weakness.” Therefore I will rather boast most gladly in my weaknesses so that the power of the Anointed might encampfn“encamp” The Greek word here literally means to pitch a tent and live there. on me.
- 10 Therefore I’m pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in calamities, in persecutions, and in distresses for the sake of the Anointed, for when I’m weak, then I’m strong.
- 11 I have become like a foolish man; you compelled me to do this, for I ought to be commended by you. For I fell short of the ‘super apostles’ in nothing, even if I am nothing.
- 12 Indeed, the signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all endurance, by both signs and wonders, and miracles.
- 13 For in what were you inferior to the rest of the church assemblies, except that I myself didn’t burden you? Forgive me for this ‘injustice’!
Paul’s Upcoming Visit
(Parallel teachings: 1 Corinthians 9:12-18; Galatians 5:19-21)
- 14 Behold, this third time I’m ready to come to you, and I won’t burden you. For I don’t seek what’s yours, but you. For the children aren’t obligated to save up for the parents, but the parents to save up for the children.
- 15 But I will most gladly spend – and will be completely spent – for the sake of your souls. If I’m ^loving you abundantly, am I ^loved less?
- 16 But so be it. I didn’t burden you, but – being cunning – I took you by trickery.
- 17 Of any man whom I have sent to you, I didn’t exploit you through him, did I?
- 18 I urged Titus to go and sent the brother with him. Titus didn’t exploit you, did he? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?
- 19 Do you think that we’re defending ourselves to you all this time? We speak before God in the Anointed. And beloved, all things are for the sake of building you up.
- 20 For I fear, lest having come to you, I might, perhaps, not find you such as I desire, and I might not be found by you such as you desire. Lest perhaps there is quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slanders, covert slanders, arrogance, and disorder.
- 21 Lest with me having come again, my God might humble me before you and I might mourn many of the men who *sinned beforehand and didn’t repent of the impurity, and fornication, and wanton debauchery that they did.
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