Paul: Third Heaven? Thorn in the Flesh? Satanic Angel?
Of the five or so letters and fragments that, perhaps in the second century, were edited into what we know as Second Corinthians, our Second Reading for the upcoming Sunday is a few verses of what scholars call the “sorrowful letter.” Paul had been to Corinth, on his Second Missionary Journey in the late forties or early fifties, and established a church there. Apparently, he wrote a letter back to them, which we do not have; then when word came to him of problems at the church in Corinth, Paul wrote them the letter we call First Corinthians.
We are not sure of the exact chronology, but later, the Corinthian church was visited by evangelists who contradicted what Paul had taught, and castigated him personally. Because of this, he wrote them a letter defending his teaching and his authority and his stature as an apostle. He then visited them a second time to set them straight, but was shouted down, mistreated, humiliated, and driven out of the city in shame. Instead of simply writing them off, Paul then wrote them what scholars call “the sorrowful letter” that is 2 Corinthians, chapters 10, 11, 12, 13. Because there is a later “letter of rejoicing,” many scholars believe that the sorrowful letter won the Corinthians back to Paul.
Anyway, for this coming Sunday, our second reading is several verses of the sorrowful letter:
2 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 3 And I know that such a person--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows-- 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Unfortunately, it’s lifted out of context and does not stand on its own sensibly. Fortunately though, it’s quite startling and is one of the most intriguing readings of the church year, raising questions about which Christians have speculated and soapboxed for centuries:
?!! Are there really three heavens??!
??! What was the “thorn in the flesh” that Paul mentions?!?
??? Who or what was αγγελος σατανα, the angel of satan?
It could make an interesting sermon this Sunday. Or --
-- I may chicken out and talk about King David; or about how badly Jesus was received when he spoke in the synagogue in his own hometown but how well The Twelve did when Jesus sent them out to heal the sick and cast out devils. Or --
-- maybe I'll call on someone in the congregation to come up and preach the gospel for us. It could be you.
TW+