the counter-balancing `thorn in the flesh'. When he talks about the `abundance of the

revelations' he is surely speaking of his own experience, not that of the Apostle John. It

would be difficult to understand why Paul should receive a thorn in the flesh because

John had had an abundant revelation!

We therefore believe that in chapter 12: the Apostle is recounting his own great

visionary experience in a modest manner. Let us not forget he states he will now pass on

to visions and revelations of the Lord and the context is still that of dealing with his

Corinthian opponents in connection with whom he has clearly shown he is infinitely

superior in service and suffering.