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2 Corinthians Outline

      • Paul’s visions (1-7a)

      • Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (7b-10)

      • Not inferior to superfine apostles (11-13)

      • Paul’s concern for the Corinthians (14-21)

2 Corinthians 12:1

Marginal References

  • +Ac 2:17
  • +Ac 22:17, 18

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower (Study),

    12/2018, p. 8

  • Publications Index

    w18.12 8;

    w83 12/15 30; w59 69; w52 248

2 Corinthians 12:2

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Bearing Witness, p. 12

    The Watchtower (Study),

    12/2018, p. 8

    Insight, Volume 1, p. 1062

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 586

    The Watchtower,

    12/15/2004, p. 30

    10/15/2004, pp. 8-10

    7/15/2000, p. 27

  • Publications Index

    bt 12; w18.12 8; it-1 1062; it-2 586; w04 10/15 8-10; w04 12/15 30; w00 7/15 27;

    w83 12/15 30; w77 135; sl 131-132; ad 735, 1276; w70 767-768; w59 69; w57 295; nh 186; w52 248; el 286; w49 187

2 Corinthians 12:3

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    w83 11/15 28-29; w59 69; nh 186; w52 248; w49 187-188

2 Corinthians 12:4

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower (Study),

    12/2018, p. 8

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 576

    The Watchtower,

    7/15/2015, pp. 8-9

    7/15/2008, p. 28

    10/15/2004, pp. 8-10

    6/15/1997, p. 5

  • Publications Index

    w18.12 8; it-2 576; w15 7/15 8-9; w08 7/15 28; w04 10/15 8-10; w97 6/15 5;

    w83 11/15 28-29; w83 12/15 30; gh 153-154; sl 131-134; ad 1269; kj 309; w70 327, 767-768; w66 263; w62 160; w59 69, 77; nh 186; w52 248; el 286; w49 187; w31 282

2 Corinthians 12:5

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    sl 131; w59 69

2 Corinthians 12:6

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    w59 69

2 Corinthians 12:7

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “beating.”

Marginal References

  • +Ga 4:13

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Bible Verses Explained, article 49

    The Watchtower (Study),

    11/2019, p. 9

    Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook,

    5/2019, p. 4

    Insight, Volume 2, pp. 589, 1096

    The Watchtower,

    4/1/2014, p. 5

    6/15/2008, pp. 3-4

    12/15/2006, p. 24

    8/15/2006, p. 21

    8/1/2005, pp. 21-22

    2/15/2002, pp. 13-14

    3/1/2000, p. 4

    6/1/1997, p. 25

    9/15/1990, p. 27

    11/15/1987, p. 29

    Kingdom Ministry,

    5/1998, p. 1

    Awake!,

    5/22/1997, pp. 18-19

  • Publications Index

    ijwbv article 49; w19.11 9; mwb19.05 4; it-2 589, 1096; w14 4/1 5; w08 6/15 3-4; w06 8/15 21; w06 12/15 24; w05 8/1 21; w02 2/15 13-14; w00 3/1 4; km 5/98 1; w97 6/1 25; g97 5/22 18-19; w90 9/15 27; w87 11/15 29;

    w84 12/15 14; w82 12/1 22; ad 1595; w70 542; g67 2/8 6; w62 262; w59 69; g58 9/8 25; w51 271

2 Corinthians 12:8

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower (Study),

    11/2019, p. 9

    The Watchtower,

    4/1/2014, p. 5

    1/1/2009, p. 30

    12/15/2006, p. 24

    11/15/1987, p. 29

  • Publications Index

    w19.11 9; w14 4/1 5; w09 1/1 30; w06 12/15 24; w87 11/15 29;

    g67 2/8 6

2 Corinthians 12:9

Marginal References

  • +Isa 40:29

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Bible Verses Explained, article 49

    The Watchtower (Study),

    7/2020, pp. 14-19

    The Watchtower (Study),

    11/2019, p. 9

    The Watchtower (Study),

    1/2018, p. 9

    The Watchtower,

    6/15/2008, p. 6

    12/15/2006, p. 24

    8/1/2005, pp. 21-22

    2/15/2002, pp. 18-19

    3/1/2000, p. 4

    6/1/1997, pp. 25-26

    11/15/1987, p. 29

    6/1/1986, p. 25

    Awake!,

    5/22/1997, pp. 18-19

  • Publications Index

    ijwbv article 49; w20.07 14-19; w19.11 9; w18.01 9; w08 6/15 6; w06 12/15 24; w05 8/1 21; w02 2/15 18-19; w00 3/1 4; w97 6/1 25-26; g97 5/22 18-19; w87 11/15 29; w86 6/1 25;

    w70 542; g67 2/8 6; w62 509; g58 9/8 26; w51 273

2 Corinthians 12:10

Marginal References

  • +Php 4:13

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower (Study),

    7/2020, pp. 14-19

    The Watchtower (Study),

    1/2018, p. 9

    The Watchtower,

    3/15/2010, p. 18

    6/15/2008, pp. 3-4, 6

    9/15/2004, pp. 13-14

  • Publications Index

    w20.07 14-19; w18.01 9; w10 3/15 18; w08 6/15 4, 6; w04 9/15 13-14;

    w85 11/15 12; w84 7/1 15; w65 123; w51 273

2 Corinthians 12:11

Marginal References

  • +2Co 11:23

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 2, p. 406

  • Publications Index

    it-2 406;

    w73 160; ad 1161; g63 12/22 28

2 Corinthians 12:12

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “portents.”

Marginal References

  • +2Co 6:4
  • +Ac 14:3; 15:12; Ro 15:18, 19

2 Corinthians 12:13

Marginal References

  • +1Co 9:11, 12; 2Co 11:9

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    g63 12/22 28; w48 312

2 Corinthians 12:14

Marginal References

  • +Ac 20:33
  • +1Co 4:14

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Insight, Volume 1, pp. 511-512

    The Watchtower,

    8/15/1997, p. 20

    10/1/1996, p. 29

    6/15/1987, pp. 25, 26-27

    2/1/1987, p. 5

    “All Scripture,” p. 214

  • Publications Index

    it-1 511; w97 8/15 20; w96 10/1 29; si 214; w87 2/1 5; w87 6/15 25-27;

    w77 79; w62 202, 441; w48 312; w46 278

2 Corinthians 12:15

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “your souls.”

Marginal References

  • +2Co 1:6; Col 1:24; 1Th 2:8; Heb 13:17

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    Kingdom Ministry,

    6/2007, p. 1

    The Watchtower,

    11/15/2000, p. 21

    9/15/2000, pp. 22-23

  • Publications Index

    km 6/07 1; w00 9/15 22-23; w00 11/15 21;

    w80 9/1 25; w73 286; w62 338; w61 306

2 Corinthians 12:16

Marginal References

  • +2Co 11:9

Indexes

  • Publications Index

    w80 4/1 13; w73 160

2 Corinthians 12:18

Marginal References

  • +2Co 8:6

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    5/1/1988, pp. 16-17

  • Publications Index

    w88 5/1 16

2 Corinthians 12:20

Footnotes

  • *

    Or “gossip.”

2 Corinthians 12:21

Footnotes

  • *

    Greek, por·neiʹa. See Glossary.

  • *

    Or “shameless conduct.” Greek, a·selʹgei·a. See Glossary.

Indexes

  • Research Guide

    The Watchtower,

    3/15/2012, p. 31

  • Publications Index

    w12 3/15 31;

    w73 575; w64 689

Parallel Translations

Click a verse number to display parallel Bible verses.

General

2 Cor. 12:1Ac 2:17
2 Cor. 12:1Ac 22:17, 18
2 Cor. 12:7Ga 4:13
2 Cor. 12:9Isa 40:29
2 Cor. 12:10Php 4:13
2 Cor. 12:112Co 11:23
2 Cor. 12:122Co 6:4
2 Cor. 12:12Ac 14:3; 15:12; Ro 15:18, 19
2 Cor. 12:131Co 9:11, 12; 2Co 11:9
2 Cor. 12:14Ac 20:33
2 Cor. 12:141Co 4:14
2 Cor. 12:152Co 1:6; Col 1:24; 1Th 2:8; Heb 13:17
2 Cor. 12:162Co 11:9
2 Cor. 12:182Co 8:6
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New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
2 Corinthians 12:1-21

The Second to the Corinthians

12 I have to boast. It is not beneficial, but I will move on to supernatural visions+ and revelations of the Lord.+ 2 I know a man in union with Christ who, 14 years ago—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—was caught away to the third heaven. 3 Yes, I know such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows— 4 who was caught away into paradise and heard words that cannot be spoken and that are not lawful for a man to say. 5 I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself except of my weaknesses. 6 For even if I want to boast, I will not be unreasonable, for I would say the truth. But I refrain from doing so, in order that no one should give me more credit than what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 just because of receiving such extraordinary revelations.

To keep me from becoming overly exalted, I was given a thorn in the flesh,+ an angel of Satan, to keep slapping* me, so that I might not be overly exalted. 8 Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me: “My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you, for my power is being made perfect in weakness.”+ Most gladly, then, I will boast about my weaknesses, in order that the power of the Christ may remain over me like a tent. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in times of need, in persecutions and difficulties, for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.+

11 I have become unreasonable. You compelled me to, for I ought to have been recommended by you. For I did not prove to be inferior to your superfine apostles in a single thing, even if I am nothing.+ 12 Indeed, the signs of an apostle were produced among you with great endurance,+ and by signs and wonders* and powerful works.+ 13 For how were you less favored than the rest of the congregations, except that I myself did not become a burden to you?+ Kindly forgive me for this wrong.

14 Look! This is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not become a burden. For I am seeking, not your possessions,+ but you; for the children+ are not expected to save up for their parents, but the parents for their children. 15 For my part, I will most gladly spend and be completely spent for you.*+ If I love you so much more, am I to be loved the less? 16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you.+ Nevertheless, you say I was “crafty” and I caught you “by trickery.” 17 I did not take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you, did I? 18 I urged Titus and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you at all, did he?+ We walked in the same spirit, did we not? In the same footsteps, did we not?

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been making our defense to you? It is before God that we are speaking in union with Christ. But, beloved ones, all that we do is to build you up. 20 For I am afraid that somehow when I arrive, I may not find you as I wish and I may not be as you wish, but instead, there may be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, dissension, backbiting, whispering,* being puffed up with pride, and disorder. 21 Perhaps when I come again, my God might humiliate me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who previously sinned but have not repented of their uncleanness and sexual immorality* and brazen conduct* that they have practiced.

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