2 Corinthians 12:1

2 Corinthians 12:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
• New International Version (NIV)I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
• New King James Version (NKJV)It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:1

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows—

2 Corinthians 12:1 word by word

Καυχᾶσθαι δεῖ, οὐ συμφέρον μέν, ἐλεύσομαι δὲ εἰς ὀπτασίας καὶ ἀποκαλύψεις κυρίου.¶Read the interlinear

• I mustδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
• go on boastingκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• Although there is nothing to gainοὐou · noG3756
• Although there is nothing to gainσυμφέρωsumpherō · be profitableG4851
• Although there is nothing to gainμένmen · on the other handG3303
• ·δέde · thenG1161
• I will go onἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• visionsὀπτασίαoptasia · visionG3701
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• revelationsἀποκάλυψιςapokalupsis · revelationG602
• from the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:1

• 2 Corinthians 8:10And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.
• John 16:7But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
• John 18:14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people.
• 1 Corinthians 6:12“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.
• 1 Corinthians 10:23“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.
• 2 Corinthians 12:11I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
• 2 Corinthians 11:16I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
• 2 Corinthians 12:7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
• Numbers 12:6He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.
• Ezekiel 1:1In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.
• Ezekiel 11:24And the Spirit lifted me up and carried me back to Chaldea, to the exiles in the vision given by the Spirit of God. After the vision had gone up from me,
• Daniel 10:5I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.
• Joel 2:28And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
• Acts 9:10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord,” he answered.
• Acts 18:9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
• Acts 22:17Later, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1It is not expedient for me - There are several various readings on this verse which are too minute to be noticed here; they seem in effect to represent the verse thus: "If it be expedient to glory, (which does not become me), I will proceed to visions," etc. The plain meaning of the apostle, in this and the preceding chapter, in reference to glorying is, that though to boast in any attainments, or in what God did by him, was in all possible cases to be…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1It is not expedient - It is not well; it does not become me. This may either mean that he felt and admitted that it did not become him to boast in this manner; that there was an impropriety in his doing it though circumstances had compelled him, and in this sense it is understood by nearly, or quite, all expositors; or it may be taken ironically. “Such a man as I am ought not to boast. So you say, and so it would seem. A man who has done no more than I…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The apostle's revelations. (1-6) Which were improved to his spiritual advantage. (7-10) The signs of an apostle were in him, His purpose of making them a visit; but he expresses his fear lest he should have to be severe with some. (11-21) Verses 1-6 There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenly things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Although there is nothing to gain: See study note on 2 Corinthians 11:21b–29.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-212Co 12:1-21. Revelations in Which He Might Glory: But He Rather Glories in Infirmities, as Calling Forth Christ's Power: Signs of His Apostleship: His Disinterestedness: Not That He Is Excusing Himself to Them; but He Does All for Their Good, lest He Should Find Them Not Such as He Desired, and So Should Have to Be Severe at His Coming. 1. He proceeds to illustrate the "glorying in infirmities" (2Co 11:30). He gave one instance which might expose him to…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:1

• Paul
• Vision

In the dictionaries

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

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