Psalm 37 (36):20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Similarly, the adversaries of the Lord, when they begin to boast and elevate themselves, will soon be completely destroyed like smoke. Concerning such individuals, it was noted, Just as Jannias and Jambres opposed Moses, so they too stand against the Truth; they are men with corrupt minds and turned away from the faith (2 Tim. 3:8). But in what way do they resist the Truth, if not through the emptiness of their inflated pride, as they elevate themselves as if they were righteous, even though they are on the verge of vanishing into nothingness? Yet, what is said of them? It is as if the speaker describes smoke, stating, ‘They shall go no further, for their folly will be disclosed to everyone, just as theirs was.’

Conversely, the humble and lowly rise to brilliance, receiving honor for their meekness, despite the rich displaying harsh dominance over them. Consequently, the Apostle Paul took joy in their weaknesses rather than their strengths (2 Cor. 12:9-10). To ensure no one assumes Paul is boasting of his revelations, let’s reflect upon his words, as the very teacher of humility stands to defend himself. He recounts, "I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago — whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know; God knows" (2 Cor. 12:2). The apostle indicates that he had a revelation fourteen years prior, one he had kept hidden for a long time. He only acknowledged it because he deemed it beneficial to instruct us against pride in light of revelations. If Paul did not succumb to pride despite receiving such grace, we, too, should remain humble. If he was not prideful in his youth, how could he be so in his old age? While Paul cannot deny being raptured to the third heaven, he claims he lacks knowledge about whether it occurred in the body or outside of it. He does not take pride in understanding but rather in his humility, proclaiming the grace of God that was revealed to him. He dismisses that which pertains to knowledge, exalting instead that which emanates from love, for knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Cor. 8:1). Paul reiterates the account of the man who was caught up — whether in the body or out of it, he cannot recall. Look at the scales of wisdom: he identifies one individual in Christ, while the other remains himself who humbly states, "I do not know." Paul appreciates the other man's experience while downplaying his own. That man heard unspeakable words (2 Cor. 12:4). He did not claim, "I have heard," but he did not deny that the other indeed heard. In his humility, the apostle preferred to testify rather than prophesy, avoiding judgment over divine mysteries. It is the nature of truth to bear witness, whereas the proud seek acclaim for their revelations. Therefore, Paul asserts, "I will boast of such a man; but of myself, I will not boast" (2 Cor. 12:5).

What, then, does it signify that a man in Christ has heard words that are not lawful for man to utter? How can it be that a person is not allowed to speak what they are permitted to hear? If the individual who heard is not permitted to reveal what he has heard, how can he affirm that he has experienced what cannot be disclosed? What distinguishes this? If it is forbidden for one person to communicate to another, who is external to him, how could the latter understand what is not advisable for the former to share? Clearly, the one in Christ possessed the grace to convey what he witnessed, yet the one who heard lacked the space, time, or merit to do so. He had heard in heaven and thus deemed it unworthy to reveal on earth what he had encountered there. Even within earthly realms there exists a distinction in what is sung in one context but not in another, as stated in Scripture: "How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?" (Psalm 136:4). This implies that the Jews refrained from singing their homeland's songs while in captivity. This realm represents captivity, while that realm signifies freedom; this sphere embodies sin, whereas that sphere embodies eternal rest; this world conveys misery, while that world reflects heaven. Consequently, Paul preaches in heaven what he could not declare on earth previously, for the truths of wisdom are reserved for the mature (1 Cor. 2:6).

But what is the purpose behind the apostle recalling this revelation? He instructs us not to take pride in our revelations but rather in our weaknesses, for our frailties are a remedy for revelation and a means to cultivate virtue, while revelations themselves may breed arrogance. To prevent Paul, who was uplifted to the third heaven, from being inflicted by a thorn in the flesh — weakness serves as a safeguard against the peril that might arise from the magnitude of the revelations bestowed upon him. Weakness proves to be more beneficial than grace, as it enhances our virtue, as the Lord stated, for "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). After receiving the revelation, Paul implored the Lord to heal him but did not receive what he requested; instead, bearing an infirmity, he sought no remedy but persisted in his endeavor, ultimately obtaining a crown (2 Tim. 4:7-8).