English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 12:6
6though 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.
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,
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,
Context of 2 Corinthians 12:6
4and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 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. 7So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 122 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 if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.
- 2 Corinthians 11:16I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
- 1 Corinthians 3:5What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
- 2 Corinthians 1:18As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.
- 2 Corinthians 11:31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
- Job 24:25If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?"
- Romans 9:1I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—
- 2 Corinthians 12:7So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
- 2 Corinthians 10:9I do not want to appear to be frightening 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
In the dictionaries
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
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