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 Living Translation (NLT)This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:1

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not 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 I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;
• John 16:7Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
• John 18:14Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
• 1 Corinthians 6:12All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
• 1 Corinthians 10:23All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
• 2 Corinthians 12:11I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.
• 2 Corinthians 11:16I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.
• 2 Corinthians 12:7And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
• Numbers 12:6Then He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream.
• Ezekiel 1:1Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.
• Ezekiel 11:24Then the Spirit took me up and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to those in captivity. And the vision that I had seen went up from me.
• Daniel 10:5I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!
• Joel 2:28“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
• Acts 9:10Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
• Acts 18:9Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
• Acts 22:17“Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in 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