08 - Lest I Be Exalted Above Measure
Chapter 8 Lest I Be Exalted Above Measure
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (2 Corinthians 12:7)
We now look at that phrase again “lest I should be exalted above measure”. It is important enough that he repeated twice in the same breath. Yet, it is also very isolated to that moment of inspiration for he only used the word one other time in all his other letters. Considering the many times Paul spoke about pride and arrogance, it is interesting to note that he did not repeat the phrase in most cases.
We have already mentioned that the chief purpose for Paul was given the thorn in flesh was to keep him from being exalted above measure. And it is also clear that Paul is the one in danger of doing the exalting. But we must now ask some critical questions; what was Paul in danger of exalting himself over? And, who was in danger?
Most readily agree there was no danger to God. In other words, Paul could not possibly have been a threat to Gods kingdom? Was then God protecting Paul from himself? Some think so! However, if Paul was in danger of some sinful development from the visions and revelations, why did God even consider Paul trustworthy to begin with? Why not protect him by withholding the revelations? That seems to be the case with Jesus’ ministry to the average person as well as his disciples. (Matthew 13:13, John 16:12) And why would God use Satan to protect any of His children let alone Paul? Wasn’t it Satan that God and Paul were at odds with? Can you see how confused mortals get by tossing and turning on the scriptures? (2 Peter 3:16)
Isn’t it at least reasonable to consider Paul was a threat to the devil? Satan sent the messenger, not God! Why, because the visions and revelations the Lord was giving Paul enlightened him so greatly that he overpowered the darkness in the minds of men. Paul, by Gods design was exalting himself, yes, but in what way? In his ability over the devils kingdom. A we’ve noted the original Greek phrase “huper-airomai” is from three Greek words [huper]: which simply means “over”, [airo]; which means “to lift up” and [mai] which means “I”. Another literal translation could be “lest I be lifted up and over”.
Some paraphrased Bibles, thinking to helps clarify the issue add to the text. One paraphrase says “To keep me from being puffed up with pride” (Good News). Another, “that I not be made arrogant”. Still another one, (The World English) uses; “that I should not be exalted excessively”. Still another; “Of course, I am now referring to the wonderful things I saw. One of Satan’s angels was sent to make me suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud.” (Contemporary English Version). This last version at least acknowledges that it was Satan making Paul suffer. But isn’t it strange that to clarify a meaning they would think the devil didn’t want Paul to become proud? I like this paraphrase; “And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me”. (Douay-Rheims Bible).
These are all examples of paraphrases, not literal translations. They illustrate the liberty paraphrased Bibles have. In addition, they prove how they can influence your thought process, sometimes at great loss. The New Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon: cited several possibilities for interpreting “huperairomai”. Pride is listed, however, lexicons do point out that the application must be according to the context and not every possible definition applies. These three definitions from Thayer’s seem to fit the context of 2 Corinthians 12 better than the idea of “conceit”.
1) “to lift or raise up over something” - If this is was Paul’s meaning He could be rising up over the devils darkness by the revelations 2) “to lift oneself up” - if this meaning applies, then Paul could again be lifting himself over the devil not “with pride”
3) “To behave insolently towards one” - if this was the intended meaning Paul’s revelations would have had bold contempt for Satan. He certainly was not showing it toward the one giving him the visions.
Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament offers a little commentary along with giving the literal definition for “huperairoo” as, “to lift up beyond.”
“[That I should not be exalted overmuch] [hina (G2443) mee (G3361) huperairoomai (G5229)]. Present passive subjunctive in final clause of [huperairoo] (G5229), an old verb, to lift up beyond, only here in the New Testament. This clause is repeated at the end of the sentence”
Robertson’s notation “only here in the New Testament” refers to the “final clause” [mai] attached to “huperairo” and points out that it is in the “subjunctive”.
Webster’s Dictionary explains that “subjunctive” refers to the mood or “attitude of the speaker toward what is being said as in expressing a fact, possibility, wish, or command, and indicated by inflection of the verb”. In other words, the same way one can change his tone of speech, a Greek word can be written to identify a change in the writers tone. Webster’s goes on to explain “The subjunctive mood has largely disappeared in English.” Nevertheless, he adds that the subjunctive does occur “in some established or idiomatic expressions”. (That would fit with the point that Paul was speaking in metaphor.) Webster’s gives examples such as: “So be it”, “if this be treason”, and “Heaven help us”. Note how our English Bibles would translate the phrase “lest I be lifted up” instead of “lest I is lifted up”. The second does not sound right. What Robertson brought out is an important point. The “final clause” was meant to convey that Paul did not mean he would lift himself up but rather, he changed his tone to convey that God was actually lifting up by the revelations. Is it any wonder why Jesus in His prayer and His last supper would pray four times that we would be one as He was one with the Father? (John 17:20-23) Paul explains himself in a similar way.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Scholars explain “the passive means the receiver of the action except when the doer of the action is not mentioned.” They also point out; “the use of the passive voice indicates that it is the subject of the sentence which receives the action.” Paul said, “Lest I be exalted”. He is the subject. Paul is also the receiver of the action (exalted), not the one doing the exalting. Complicated as all this sounds, it does indicate the structure of the phrase is consistent with “Lest I be exalted” as opposed to “lest I were to exalt myself”. That is a very important point. Was Paul Exalting Himself?
If Paul was implying that in some way he was exalting himself, it might be in the sense of getting back up after each blow. Paul was masterful at bouncing back from horrible conditions. Time after time, as he mentioned in 2 Corinthians, chapter 11, Paul encountered obstacles to the course God set him on. At times, evil people and circumstances literally beat him down. Yet, up from each blow Paul would arise. Getting back up after a fall and / or overcoming an obstacle, is not pride. The intention of Gods grace is to strengthen you to get up after a fall. As mentioned, there are other references in the Bible where different Greek words were translated “exalt yourself”. For instance, there is the Greek word; “tuphoo” which means literally “to inflate with self-conceit”. Paul used it several times in his letters to Timothy.
“Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride (“tuphoo”) he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:6)
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is conceited yuphoo”… (1 Timothy 6:3-4) New American Standard
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves,… treacherous, rash, conceited, (“tuphoo”) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4 NIV)
Another Greek word which directly means exalting oneself is “epairo”. Paul used it in the same letter to the Corinthians and in just a few short breaths before referencing the thorn.
“For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.” (2 Corinthians 11:20)
Then there is the only other reference where Paul used the same phrase “huper-airomai” but is a slightly different form.
“Who opposeth and exalteth himself (huperairomenos) above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4) In 2 Corinthians 12:7 Paul wrote the Greek phrase “huperairo¯mai”, which the King James translated “exalted above measure”. In this other reference, Paul wrote “huperairomenos”. Note that there is the slight difference with the ending. In many ways, this text in 2 Thessalonians reads differently then (2 Corinthians 12:7). First, this verse is in reference to the “anti-Christ” not a servant of God. The ministry of Paul and that of the anti-Christ have a completely different vision and goal. Also in this verse, other Greek words are included to specifically define the self-will of the anti-Christ. In fact there are three direct references. First, the phrase “above all that is called God or worshipped”. Then there is the Greek word translated “as God”. Finally, the phrase “showing himself that he is God” is added. These added phrases are reasons to justify the translation that the anti-Christ will “exalts himself”. While it is Paul himself who graphically exposed the coming anti-Christ’s self centeredness, he used none of those other phrases to imply self-exalting.
We know that the anti-Christ will attempt to exalt his evil influence in world conquest. However, Paul pressed toward the mark of the high calling to influence people to the true God. The anti-Christ will strive to exalt himself over God before the nations. Paul never was suspect or tempted with that frame of mind. Paul knew that it is only in Christ that “we live and move and have our being”. The anti-Christ will oppose God. God gave Paul visions and revelation to oppose Satan. The anti-Christ will advance a one-world system. Paul advanced a revelation that only when Jesus’ returned would there be a revived world. Could Paul mean Elated?
There is another possible translation of the Greek word “huper-airomai”. The Weymouth New Testament translates the phrase; “therefore lest I should be over-elated”. Other translations such as: The New English Version, “Goodspeed”, and the “Revised Standard” use “elated” to define the Greek phrase. “And to keep me from being (unduly) elated”. In the Dictionary of the New Testament” (pg. 1243), we find a comment that lends support for this usage. “The word [hypsoo] is common in the LXX with reference to the exaltation of God, joyful exaltation by God, which on the presupposition of abasement means glorification” (Isaiah 52:13) Some argue that the only thing [hypsoo] has in common with the word in 2 Corinthians 12:7 “is that the spelling of both words starts with the same letters: hyp!!!” However, the best critic must admit that [hypsso] is included in a discussion of other NT words that are commonly translated by the English word “exalt”. The Bible says the “joy of the Lord is our strength.” And most certainly Paul did much to explain and illustrate how liberating it is to become elated in times of trails. Thus, if Paul meant his elation was a threat, it is no strange thing that Satan sent the thorn to continually try to rob Paul of his joy. It deserves special consideration when we see that Paul was expounding on Gods strength manifesting when he was weak. It can further be said that Paul pulled out all the stops to manifest continual elation in his ministry. (Acts 16:25-26). He rejoiced in the worst of times and called on us to do the same. (Php 4:4) Exalted Over What
If Paul’s statement “lest I be exalted above measure” he meant “lest I become proud, arrogant, haughty etc… one must address what it is Paul could be exalting himself over? If is true that the thorn was meant to keep Paul humble, the conclusion must allow that it was only to keep him from becoming too proud. Because, if you read carefully the implication is that God was allowing Paul to indulge in some pride as long as it wasn’t above or beyond the measure. Note that Paul did not say the thorn would keep him from being lifted up completely. He said it was to keep him from lifted “above measure” or “over much” or “beyond”. In the same way a bar is set before an athlete to measure his jump, the phrase “exalted over”, or “to lift up beyond” must have some bar to measure the accomplishment. The question is, what was it that Paul was not to be exalted over? Is there any evidence that Paul was ever tempted to place himself equal with or over God? No! Did Paul ever seek personal attention or allow people to consider him as a god? Again, no! Instead, we see that Paul quickly and openly resisted such titles. (Acts 14:11-15) On the other hand, when Paul received such wisdom from God, he shared it with the church and that got Satan’s attention. He became a marked man. Paul was a threat to Satan. To this day, the productive people of God are targeted for temptations, trials and persecutions from the devil. No doubt, the revelations lifted Paul’s knowledge of God over that of the false teachers attempting to usurp his Apostolic Ministry. Furthermore, the revelations enlightened Paul’s understanding over the power of Satan’s darkness!
Thus the question remains, was Paul “lifting Himself up over God”? Had Paul become a threat to God? Was Paul tempted to lift himself above himself or the devil? Or, could it be that God gave Paul the revelations to help him be lifted up in effective ministry? The fact is, in all that scripture reveals about Paul, he is never shown in any state of pride. Rather, it continually showed him striving to exalt the name of Jesus in the mind of his listeners.
It would be fair then to suggest God gave Paul revelations to exalt him over Satan’s power. God gave Paul wisdom to apply what Jesus did in destroying the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8) Paul went on to do the works of Jesus. God gave Paul direction, as well as information and inspiration so he could maintain a superior ministry. It was Satan’s goal to send a messenger against Paul so that Paul would not be exalted above the measure of his own demonic restraint.
Check to see if I can use any of this in the chapter!
Exalted above measure is frequently used in connection with pride etc… It doesn’t refer to exalting self over God, but being exalted above measure, the measure of general saving faith to a gift or manifestation of faith as in 1 Corinthians 12.