2 Corinthians 12:5

2 Corinthians 12:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
• New International Version (NIV)I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
• English Standard Version (ESV)On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—
• New King James Version (NKJV)Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:5

3And I know that such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows— 4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which man is not permitted to speak [words too sacred to tell]. On behalf of such a man [and his experiences] I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6If I wish to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it], so that no one will credit me with more than [is justified by what] he sees in me or hears from me. 7Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!

2 Corinthians 12:5 word by word

ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι, ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαιςRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Ofὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• such an oneτοιοῦτοςtoioutos · such as thisG5108
• will I gloryκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• yetδέde · thenG1161
• myselfἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683
• notοὐou · noG3756
• butεἰei · if: notG1487
• ·μήmē · notG3361
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• mineἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• infirmitiesἀσθένειαastheneia · weakness: weakG769

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:5

• 2 Corinthians 12:2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
• 2 Corinthians 11:30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that reveal my weakness [the things by which I am made weak in the eyes of my opponents].

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5Of such a one will I glory - Through modesty he does not mention himself, though the account can be understood of no other person; for, did he mean any other, the whole account would be completely irrelevant.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Of such an one will I glory - Of such a man it would be right to boast. It would be admitted that it is right to exult in such a man, and to esteem him to be uniquely favored by God. I will boast of him as having received special honor from the Lord. Bloomfield, however, supposes that the words rendered “of such an one should be translated “of such a thing,” or of such a transaction; meaning” I can indeed justly boast of my being caught up to heaven as of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-7Paul could talk about his experience (12:2–4), but it did not give him confidence in his ministry. He never uses mystical experiences to prove his apostolic authority. His life and message must be the proof. Instead, he talks about his weaknesses (11:23–33).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. of myself--concerning myself. Self is put in the background, except in respect to his infirmities. His glorying in his other self, to which the revelations were vouchsafed, was not in order to give glory to his fleshly self, but to bring out in contrast the "infirmities" of the latter, that Christ might have all the glory.Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:5

• Humility

In the dictionaries

• Backbiting
• Crafty
• Excuse
• Gain
• Grace
• Perfect
• Revelation
• Sufficient
• Thorn
• Unspeakable

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings