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

Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. 3I know that this man — whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows —

2 Corinthians 12:1 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• It isσυμφέρωsumpherō · be profitableG4851
• notοὐou · noG3756
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• doubtlessδήdē · soG1211
• to gloryκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• I will comeἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• visionsὀπτασίαoptasia · visionG3701
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• revelationsἀποκάλυψιςapokalupsis · revelationG602
• of the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:1

• 2 Corinthians 8:10And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it.
• John 16:7Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. 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 for one man to die 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 builds up.
• 2 Corinthians 12:11I have been a fool; you forced it on me. You ought to have commended me, since I am not in any way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
• 2 Corinthians 11:16I repeat: Let no one consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool so that I can also boast a little.
• 2 Corinthians 12:7especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.
• Numbers 12:6he said: “Listen to what I say: If there is a prophet among you from the Lord, I make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.
• Ezekiel 1:1In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, while I was among the exiles by the Chebar Canal, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.
• Ezekiel 11:24The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to Chaldea and to the exiles in a vision from the Spirit of God. After the vision I had seen left me,
• Daniel 10:5I looked up, and there was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist.
• Joel 2:28After this I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions.
• Acts 9:10There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” “Here I am, Lord,” he replied.
• Acts 18:9The Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent.
• Acts 22:17“After I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in 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