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

5I will say proud things about a man like that. But I will not be proud of anything good about myself. I will only be proud of things that show my weakness. If I did want to praise myself, that would not make me a fool. No, because I would be saying true things. But I will not say good things about myself. I want everyone to think properly about me. People should look at how I live. They should think about what I say. That is enough for them to decide about me. 7Yes, God did show me many things that were very special. But he did not want me to be proud because of that. So he gave me a pain in my body, like a sharp thorn. Satan uses that pain to give me much trouble. It is like Satan's angel that he sends to hurt me. That certainly stops me from being proud of myself! 8I asked the Lord three times to take this pain away from 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 10:8You may think that I am too proud of my authority. But it is the Lord who has given that authority to us apostles. We have that authority so that we can help you become stronger as believers. We do not have it so that we can destroy you! So I am not ashamed to be proud of this.
• 2 Corinthians 11:16I say this again: nobody should think that I am a fool. But even if you do think that, still listen to me. Give me a chance to praise myself a little, as a fool would do.
• 1 Corinthians 3:5Is Apollos important? Is Paul important? No! We are God's servants. We told you God's good news and you believed it. Each of us is doing the job which the Lord has given to us.
• 2 Corinthians 1:18God always does what he says he will do. In the same way, my promise to you was not both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’.
• 2 Corinthians 11:31I am not telling lies. God, the Father of the Lord Jesus, knows that. He is the one that we should praise for ever.
• Job 24:25What I have said is true. Nobody can say that I am telling lies. You cannot think that my words are useless.’
• Romans 9:1What I am telling you is true. I speak as someone who belongs to Christ. I am not telling lies. God's Holy Spirit rules my thoughts and I am sure that I am right.
• 2 Corinthians 12:7Yes, God did show me many things that were very special. But he did not want me to be proud because of that. So he gave me a pain in my body, like a sharp thorn. Satan uses that pain to give me much trouble. It is like Satan's angel that he sends to hurt me. That certainly stops me from being proud of myself!
• 2 Corinthians 10:9When I write letters to you, I am not trying to frighten you. Please do not think that.

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