12:1 Paul explains that his speech is not boastful but actual and truthful. That through his faith and apostleship God has given him the ability to perceive even beyond present events.
12:2-4 He speaks of having been shown the spiritual life which proceeds, precedes and supersedes this one. We can understand that in building a faithful apostle, who would be responsible for establishing Christianity on the earth, God would show to him the bigger picture: where humanity started, even before earth, where we are now and where we are headed. From a spiritual perspective.
12:5-6 Paul does not boast at having fulfilled his purpose through and of God. The one thing he is proud to mention though, is how glad he has been to suffer for this philosophy to come to humanity. God had shown Paul incredible things and though he admits he would love to openly marvel at the wonders and revelations God entrusted him with, he will not. He chooses to remain humble and focused on his work and purpose here and now. It is important to Paul that we perceive and receive him exactly as he is, no more or less.
12:7 God is clever. He knows that His children require constant balance. We are deeply valued and gifted by Him but we are only able to maintain the benefits of those things if we are humble. Arrogance quickly corrupts and eliminates our achievements.
For Paul to remain humble, God allowed for constant reminders in Paul's life: reminders that although our God triumphs over all evil, and even though we as His children benefit from that, we cannot triumph over adversity without Him. It's not a punishment, it's just a reality. God is smarter, faster, omniscient, omnipotent, entirely capable of preparing defense against adversaries. Without Him, we are vulnerable.
We also have constant reminders: people and situations in life which inspire growth, remind us of how we have grown (so we value and find purpose in our journey) and uncover the areas where we still require growth.
12:8-9 Paul plead to God for the removal of adversity. God reminded Paul that adversity was a catalyst for growth but also a motivation to continue to defend and inspire justice. Yes, Paul boasts about his weaknesses because God assured Him that He can do His best work in us when we need Him. When we are entirely open to and trusting of Him.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." A beautiful verse. God is saying to us: when you most need me I am there. Always, He is here with us. Yet God is compassionate and nothing emphasizes his compassion more than a hurt child. He works with us to make us strong, to be self-sufficient through our faith. However He understands that we are not always brave and unbroken, and in those moments, He perfectly supplements what we are missing. He becomes the pillar of support we require until we can stand again (always in His view).
Remember: 1 Corinthians 10:13 you will never experience anything greater than God knows you can handle. If you do not have faith in yourself, trust God's faith in you. Moreover, there is nothing you have gone through that has not been endured before, therefore know that you can survive: Ecclesiastes 1:4-11.
12:10 "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
God responds with indignation when a child of his is threatened or hurt. He is swift in reestablishing you, comforting you. God is so appreciative of our compassion, of our work in the name of justice. When confronting adversity, we confront our adversaries... their ill-work and threats make appear to weaken us but in those moments of courage especially, God is with us.
12:11 Paul is regretful that he has had to validate himself. Yet it became necessary because his sincerity and even apostleship was challenged. Remember that God wants you to have self-value and to have confidence in your purpose, it is not boasting to defend the truth within yourself.
12:12-13 Paul believes that he had at least earned their defense when his character was attacked. He has worked selflessly with them, showing them his authenticity and his truth every step of the way, requiring and asking nothing of them.
12:14 "I do not seek yours, but you." The Corinthians were laden with false apostles around them working deceptively to take from them their money and possessions. Paul came only to give a gift to them: the gift of spirituality. He took nothing from them. This is also a lesson to us to never interact with a person hoping or working to get something from them.
12:15 Despite his love for the Corinthians and his hope for the development of their faith, they seem to easily turn away from Paul. The lesson from the Corinthians is to be alert in our faith, to never fall victim or puppet to false people, ideas and organizations.
The acceptance of God's love and guidance in our lives can transform our souls and our world but can do nothing if we reject or neglect or worse, contradict it. As a human, many of us have learned that we cannot help a person who will not help themselves. Take responsibility for yourself in order that God may lead you.
12:16-18 Paul references the fairness he has given to the Corinthians. Each apostle with him had brought to the Corinthians only their sincerity and hard work and were therefore not deserving of the Corinthian's neglect. Be fair with people and you will always live with a light conscious.
12:19-21 Paul shudders at the thought of visiting the Corinthians to find once faithful, compassionate students having abandoned their God-given kindness, wisdom and faith. We (and the Corinthians) have so much potential to be kind, to be purposeful, to be faithful and truly it is devastating when such potential and purpose is wasted. So remain focused! Never allow yourself to be derailed.
