Study Desk

^(C1)Boasting is necessary, though it is not beneficial; but I will go on to visions and ^(C2)revelations ^(F1)of the Lord.

I know a man ^(C1)in Christ, who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, ^(C2)God knows—such a man was ^(C3)caught up to the ^(C4)third heaven.

And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, ^(C1)God knows—

was ^(C1)caught up into ^(C2)Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

^(C1)In behalf of such a man I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except regarding my ^(C2)weaknesses.

For if I do wish to boast I will not be ^(C1)foolish, ^(C2)for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

Because of the extraordinary greatness of the ^(C1)revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a ^(C2)thorn in the flesh, a ^(C3)messenger of Satan to ^(F1)torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord ^(C1)three times that it might leave me.

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for ^(C1)power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather ^(C2)boast ^(F1)about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Therefore ^(C1)I delight in weaknesses, in ^(F1)insults, in ^(C2)distresses, in ^(C3)persecutions, in ^(C2)difficulties, ^(C4)in behalf of Christ; for ^(C5)when I am weak, then I am strong.