2 Corinthians 12:6

2 Corinthians 12:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
• New International Version (NIV)Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say,
• English Standard Version (ESV)though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:6

4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which man is not permitted to speak [words too sacred to tell]. 5On 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. If 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! 8Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me;

2 Corinthians 12:6 word by word

ἐὰν γὰρ θελήσω καυχήσασθαι, οὐκ ἔσομαι ἄφρων· ἀλήθειαν γὰρ ἐρῶ· φείδομαι δὲ μή τις εἰς ἐμὲ λογίσηται ὑπὲρ ὃ βλέπει με, ἢ ἀκούει τι ἐξ ἐμοῦRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• thoughἐάνean · ifG1437
• I would desireθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• to gloryκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• I shallεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• notοὐou · noG3756
• a foolἄφρωνaphrōn · foolishG878
• I will sayἐρῶereō · to sayG2046
• the truthἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225
• butδέde · thenG1161
• I forbearφείδομαιpheidomai · to spareG5339
• lestμήmē · notG3361
• any manτιςtis · oneG5100
• should thinkλογίζομαιlogizomai · to countG3049
• ofεἰςeis · towardG1519
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• aboveὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• that whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• he seethβλέπωblepō · to seeG991
• orἤē · orG2228
• he hearethἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:6

• 2 Corinthians 10:8For even though I boast rather freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed [of the truth],
• 2 Corinthians 11:16I repeat then, let no one think that I am foolish; but even if you do, at least accept me as foolish, so that I too may boast a little.
• 1 Corinthians 3:5What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Just servants through whom you believed [in Christ], even as the Lord appointed to each his task.
• 2 Corinthians 1:18But [as surely as] God is faithful and means what He says, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No” [at the same time].
• 2 Corinthians 11:31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed and to be praised forevermore, knows that I am not lying.
• Job 24:25And if this is not so, who can prove me a liar And make my speech worthless?”
• Romans 9:1I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me [enlightened and prompted] by the Holy Spirit,
• 2 Corinthians 12:7Because 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 10:9nor do I want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters;

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6I shall not be a fool - Who that had got such honor from God would have been fourteen years silent on the subject? I will say the truth - I speak nothing but truth; and the apostle seems to have intended to proceed with something else of the same kind, but, finding some reason probably occurring suddenly, says, I forbear - I will say no more on this subject. Lest any man should think of me above - The apostle spoke of these revelations for two purposes…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6For though I would desire to glory - I take this to be a solemn and serious declaration of the irony which precedes; and that Paul means to say seriously, that if he had a wish to boast as other people boasted, if he chose to make much of his attainments and privileges, he would have enough of which to make mention. It would not be mere empty boasting without any foundation or any just cause, for he had as much of which to speak in a confident manner…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. 66. For--Not but that I might glory as to "myself" (2Co 12:5); "FOR if I should desire to glory, I shall not be a fool"; for I have things to glory, or boast of which are good matter for glorying of (not mere external fleshly advantages which when he gloried in [2Co 11:1-33] he termed such glorying "folly," 2Co 11:1, 16, 17). think of me--Greek, "form his estimate respecting me." heareth of me--Greek, "heareth aught from me." Whatever haply he heareth from…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:6

• Humility
• Tact
• Truth

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