2 Corinthians 12:1
2 Corinthians 12:1 in Multiple Translations
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
As it is necessary for me to take glory to myself, though it is not a good thing, I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I suppose I have to boast, even though it doesn't really help. Let me go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
It is not expedient for me no doubt to reioyce: for I will come to visions and reuelations of the Lord.
To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed), but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
It seems that I must go on boasting about myself. Although I do not think that my telling you about this will help you to accept me as Christ’s representative to you, I will say this anyway. I will tell you about visions that the Lord gave a certain man and about things that he supernaturally revealed to that man. I will tell you this because some of the people among you boast that it was in visions that they received the things that they teach.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Corinthians 12:1
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2 Corinthians 12:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — 2 Corinthians 12:1
Study Notes — 2 Corinthians 12:1
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Corinthians 12:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 12:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 12:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 12:1
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 12:1
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
- Sermons on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Context — Paul’s Revelation
1I 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—Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galatians 1:12 | I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. |
| 2 | 2 Corinthians 12:7 | or 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. |
| 3 | 1 John 5:20 | And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. |
| 4 | Galatians 2:2 | I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain. |
| 5 | Acts 23:11 | The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.” |
| 6 | Acts 9:10–17 | In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord,” he answered. “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” |
| 7 | John 16:7 | But 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. |
| 8 | Acts 18:9 | One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. |
| 9 | Acts 22:17–21 | Later, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.’ ‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” |
| 10 | Joel 2:28–29 | And 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. Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. |
2 Corinthians 12:1 Summary
In 2 Corinthians 12:1, the Apostle Paul says he must go on boasting about the visions and revelations he has received from the Lord. This means that Paul is sharing his personal experiences of God's presence and power in his life, and he is doing so in order to give glory to God and to encourage others, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Psalm 115:1. Just like Paul, we can boast in the Lord and share our own experiences of His presence and power in our lives, and we can do so in a way that gives glory to God and edifies others, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:29 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Apostle Paul say he must go on boasting?
The Apostle Paul says he must go on boasting because he is compelled to share his experiences and the revelations he has received from the Lord, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:1, in order to defend his ministry and refute the claims of the false apostles, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:5.
What are the visions and revelations from the Lord that Paul is referring to?
The visions and revelations from the Lord that Paul is referring to are the divine communications and experiences he has received from God, such as the one mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:2-3, where he was caught up to the third heaven, similar to the experiences of other prophets and apostles in the Bible, like Isaiah 6:1-5 and Ezekiel 1:1-28.
Is Paul boasting about his own abilities or accomplishments?
No, Paul is not boasting about his own abilities or accomplishments, but rather about the revelations and experiences he has received from the Lord, as he says in 2 Corinthians 12:1, and he does so in a way that gives glory to God, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:10 and Galatians 6:14.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse to our own lives by recognizing that our experiences and testimonies are not our own, but are given to us by the Lord, and we should be willing to share them with others, as Paul did, in order to give glory to God and to edify the body of Christ, as mentioned in 1 Peter 3:15 and Revelation 12:11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have experienced the Lord's presence and revelation in my life, and how can I share those experiences with others?
- How can I, like Paul, boast in the Lord and give Him glory for the things He has done in my life?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in the Lord's power and revelation, rather than my own abilities?
- How can I use my own experiences and testimonies to edify and encourage others, as Paul did in his letters?
- What are some ways that I can cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for the Lord's presence and revelation in my life?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Sermons on 2 Corinthians 12:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Concerning Spiritual Gifts by Smith Wigglesworth | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the secret of power, which is the unveiling of Christ within us. He uses the story of Peter and John encountering a crippled man at the beau |
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(Demonology) Powers by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Job from the Bible. He highlights how the devil tried to curse God by causing immense suffering to Job, including the death of h |
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Message 11 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the practical wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. He emphasizes the importance of hard work and warns against mere talk that leads to pove |
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Heart-Faith and Not Mind-Faith - Part 2 by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the importance of seeking God persistently for answers, especially in areas where prayers seem unanswered. It emphasizes the need to address any hidden sins |
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Fears Within by Andy Brink | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of embracing the reality of our mortality and the need to stand before God. He quotes Zechariah 4, highlighting the idea that |
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Visions of God - Part 2 by David Adams | In this sermon, the speaker discusses how God reveals himself to different individuals in various ways. He mentions examples such as visions, trances, and direct visible encounters |
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2 Corinthians 12 by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby expounds on 2 Corinthians 12, emphasizing the dual nature of Paul's experiences of visions and revelations alongside his sufferings and infirmities. He highlights |







