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He is a man who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago.

  He is a man who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago.   2 Corinthians 12:1 – 4: "It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to speak." The Apostle Paul faced criticism from the Corinthian believers. Had he been enraged by their betrayal, he could have ruthlessly attacked them in his letters; instead, he consistently expressed his love and concern for them. From chapter 10 through verse 18 of chapter 12, he explains various situations by comparing himself to the false teachers who had led the congregation astray. His motivation wa...
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Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

  Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.   2 Corinthians 11:14 – 15: "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (*metaschematizomenoi*). So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves (*metaschematizomenoi*) as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." Here, too, *metaschematizomenoi* ( μετασχηματ ί ζεται ) refers not merely to a disguise, but to a transformation. Satan is the ancient serpent that appeared in the Garden of Eden, the one who tempted Jesus, the figure who appeared in the Book of Job, and the one who manifested as a thorn to the Apostle Paul. The Revised Korean Version translates this as "disguising oneself," an expression akin to a wolf wearing a sheep's clothing — where one remains a wolf while appearing in the form of a sheep. However, "transformation" implies that one is originally an angel, but assumes a different role depending on the sit...
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I betrothed you to Christ, to present you as a pure virgin to one husband.

  I betrothed you to Christ, to present you as a pure virgin to one husband.   2 Corinthians 11:1 – 3: "I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; please bear with me. For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, because I betrothed you to one husband — to Christ — to present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, just as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds might be led astray from the sincerity and purity of your devotion to Christ." The word "foolish" implies a lack of discernment. *Z ē lo* ( ζηλ ῶ ) means to be jealous. Paul sought to betroth the members of the Corinthian church to Christ, yet they were entertaining other thoughts. *Parast ē sai* ( παραστ ῆ σαι ) means to place or stand someone beside another. *Haplot ē tos* ( ἁ πλ ό τητο ς ) signifies a single-minded, steadfast heart. The doctrine of the Trinity is best understood when viewing God from the perspective of a sinner. A sinner cannot approach God on their...
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God’s power that tears down any stronghold

  God ’ s power that tears down any stronghold   2 Corinthians 10:3 – 6: "For though we walk (*peripatountes*) in the flesh (*en sarki*), we do not wage war (*strateuometha*) according to the flesh. The weapons we fight with are not of the flesh but are God ’ s power for tearing down any stronghold. We tear down every argument and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. And we are ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete." *En sarki* means "in the flesh," and *peripatountes* means "walking." *Strateuometha* refers to carrying out a ministry or campaign. It means that while we live in this world *in* the flesh, we do not follow the flesh; in other words, we do not conduct ministry with a fleshly mindset. Those who follow the flesh are guided by what is visible to the eye. Those who follow the flesh lack God ’ s power. They at...
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