What would happen if God showed you heaven — and then allowed you to suffer?
In this episode of Solid Food, we dive deep into Paul’s mysterious ascent into Paradise and the thorn that followed. We explore why Paul’s heavenly encounter was not a reward, but a preparation — and how God used weakness to protect him from pride. By tracing Paradise back to Eden, and Paul’s suffering alongside Job’s, we uncover a profound truth: God reveals glory not to exalt us, but to keep us dependent on His grace.
If you’ve ever wondered why God allows pain in the lives of His most faithful servants, this episode will reframe everything.
Works Cited
David E. Garland, 2 Corinthians,vol. 29, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 508.
Colin G. Kruse, 2 Corinthians: AnIntroduction and Commentary, ed. Eckhard J. Schnabel, Secondedition, vol. 8, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 2015), 262.
Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete WordStudy Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMGPublishers, 2000).
Linda L. Belleville, 2 Corinthians,vol. 8, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1996), 2 Co 12:7–10.
