2 Corinthians 11:30-12:6

How Do I Protect Myself?

A Question Of Power

As Paul continues through this section of 2 Corinthians, he continually asserts and reasserts that he will not boast about what he has done, but he relents slightly in 12:1-6. He tells of how a man was caught up in the Spirit and experienced the supernatural first-hand. We can safely assume that this man was Paul. But even here, he does not say it was him. He shares the story anonymously. 

He also decides in the last verses of chapter 11 to turn boasting on its head. He’s going to boast about bad times in his life! In Paul’s days, it was a sign of strength to be in a battle or fight and be able to ascend the walls of the city to show everyone that you had won. Paul shares the exact opposite in 11:30-33. He ran away from a fight and was lowered from the wall. He boasts about running away instead of “being a man” and fighting.

Paul’s example teaches us that it is foolish to puff yourself up with pride. It is silliness to wear your accolades on your sleeve, ready to show them to anyone who comes near you. You do not need to tell anyone about what you are doing or what you have done. You only need to tell others about Jesus.