2 Corinthians 11-12 based on Acts 9:15-27

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Giuseppe
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2 Corinthians 11-12 based on Acts 9:15-27

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This is a strong argument by Frank McGuire about 2 Corinthians 11-12 being based on Acts:

Just as Luke, in Acts 9:15-17, passes from an allusion to Paul’s future sufferings back to a vicarious revelation and thence to Paul’s escape from Damascus, so in 2 Cor “Paul” recounts his sufferings and another version of his escape from Damascus (11: 23-24). Now paralleling Acts 9: 27, in which Barnabas, tells the apostles about the Lord having appeared to Saul and spoken to him, 2 Cor 12: 3 introduces “a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven [and] …heard things that cannot be told….” On behalf of that man the writer will boast— just as Barnabas had in effect boasted about Paul’s vision fourteen years afterwards.40 In short, the first five verses of 2 Cor 12 are a spoof on Barnabas’ commendation of the Paul of Acts to the apostles at Jerusalem.

(my bold)

The following table may help:


Acts 9:15-27: 2 Corinthians 11-12

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.


Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.


17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

2 Corinthians 12:1-5:
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.


19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.


31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.


26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.


5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.


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