2 Corinthians 12:6 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.
2 Corinthians 12:6 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.
2 Corinthians 12:6 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,
2 Corinthians 12:6 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.
2 Corinthians 12:6 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,
2 Corinthians 12 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 11:30 | If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. | Paul redirects boasting to weakness, not spiritual highs. |
| 2 Cor 12:7 | Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given.. | God prevents pride even from true revelations. |
| 1 Cor 1:31 | ...“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” | Boasting should always be directed towards God. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Let not the wise boast of their wisdom... but boast in the Lord... | Old Testament principle of boasting only in God. |
| Gal 6:14 | May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ... | Paul's true boasting focus. |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility.. | Exhortation to humility over self-exaltation. |
| Rom 12:16 | Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing.. | Command to avoid pride and lofty thinking. |
| Matt 7:16 | You will recognize them by their fruits... | True spiritual leaders known by their observable lives. |
| Tit 2:7-8 | Show yourself in everything to be an example of good deeds... | A leader's visible actions validate their message. |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see.. | Need to test spiritual claims, relying on objective truth. |
| 1 Thess 2:6 | We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone | Paul's motive for ministry wasn't human glory. |
| Rom 12:10 | Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. | Humility and deferring honor to others. |
| Jas 4:6 | ...“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” | Principle of divine favor to the humble. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | ...All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another... | General Christian call to humility. |
| Matt 23:12 | For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves.. | Jesus' teaching on humility and exaltation. |
| Acts 10:25-26 | As Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet... | Example of refusing human adoration. |
| Acts 14:14-15 | when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their... | Apostles rejecting divine honors from people. |
| Eph 4:15 | Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every.. | Speaking truth with loving intent. |
| Zech 8:16 | These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other.. | Old Testament emphasis on truth-telling. |
| 1 Cor 4:6-7 | ...so that no one of you will be puffed up in favor of one against.. | Preventing undue favor for any human leader. |
| 2 Tim 3:1-5 | ...For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful... | Description of false, boastful people. |
| Phil 3:7-8 | But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. | Paul's deliberate relinquishing of worldly boast-worthy items. |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 6 Meaning
Paul affirms that he has legitimate grounds to boast about his extraordinary spiritual revelations, and doing so would not be foolish because he would speak truthfully. However, he deliberately refrains from detailing these experiences. His purpose is to prevent anyone from forming an exaggerated estimation of him, one that goes beyond what they observe in his daily conduct and what they hear in his preaching and teaching. He seeks to direct attention away from his personal, profound spiritual privileges and toward his visible, faithful life and the content of his message.
2 Corinthians 12 6 Context
Chapter 12 continues Paul's reluctant "foolish boasting" where he defends his apostleship against "super-apostles" in Corinth. He was forced to compare himself to them, though he disliked the practice. In 2 Corinthians 12:1-5, Paul described a man (understood to be himself) who was caught up to the third heaven and heard inexpressible things. He recounts this profound, supernatural experience but does so indirectly and emphasizes his weakness. Verse 6 directly follows this account, explaining why he kept such details to himself for 14 years. It sets a crucial boundary on how believers should assess their spiritual leaders and serves as a profound statement on true spiritual leadership, emphasizing observable character and message over mystical revelations. Historically, Corinthian society valued rhetoric, visible status, and profound spiritual experiences, often leading to superficial judgments of leaders. Paul actively counters this by underscoring the importance of authentic conduct and faithful teaching.
2 Corinthians 12 6 Word analysis
- For if I desired: (Εάν γὰρ θελήσω - Ean gar thelēsō) The Greek 'gar' indicates a reason for the previous statement (the account of his ascent). 'Ean thelēsō' (if I were willing/desired) presents a hypothetical, counter-factual scenario, highlighting a conscious choice Paul is making not to act on this desire.
- to boast, (καυχᾶσθαι - kauchasthai) Refers to glorifying oneself, typically considered inappropriate for believers. Here, Paul points out that his potential boasting would be justified in an unusual way.
- I would not be a fool, (οὐκ ἔσομαι ἄφρων - ouk esomai aphrōn) 'Aphrōn' means "unwise, senseless." In his previous context (2 Cor 11:16-19), Paul accepted being called a fool for his unconventional boasts. Here, he states if he did boast of the truth (his heavenly experience), he would not be considered foolish, implying such a boast would be rational and founded.
- because I would be speaking the truth. (ἀλήθειαν γὰρ ἐρῶ - alētheian gar erō) 'Alētheian' signifies factual reality and veracity. This is the crucial point: his personal revelations were absolutely real and true. Unlike the false apostles whose boasts might be empty or deceptive, Paul's claim would be undeniable truth.
- But I refrain, (φείδομαι δέ - pheidomai de) 'Pheidomai' means to spare, to abstain, or to hold back. 'De' indicates a sharp contrast. This marks a deliberate act of self-restraint and humility on Paul's part. It's a conscious choice not to leverage his privileged knowledge for personal gain or glory.
- so that no one may think more of me (ἵνα μή τις εἰς ἐμὲ λογίσηται ὑπὲρ ὃ - hina mē tis eis eme logisētai huper ho) 'Hina mē' expresses a purpose: "in order that not," or "lest." 'Logisētai' means to reckon, compute, consider, or attribute. Paul doesn't want anyone to calculate a greater value for him than is genuinely observable.
- than what he sees in me (βλέπει με - blepei me) Refers to observable, concrete actions, behavior, and character that are publicly accessible. This grounds spiritual assessment in ethical conduct and lifestyle.
- or hears from me. (ἀκούει τι ἐξ ἐμοῦ - akouei ti ex emou) Refers to his teachings, sermons, and verbal communication of the Gospel. It grounds assessment in the content and consistency of his message.
2 Corinthians 12 6 Bonus section
Paul's refusal to elaborate on his "truthful boast" served as a powerful counter-cultural message to a church (Corinth) that frequently esteemed outward displays of power and oratorical skill. By explicitly denying the exploitation of divine revelation for personal glory, Paul highlights the core principle that a true servant of God humbly directs attention away from himself and onto the Lord. This verse demonstrates a spiritual discipline of self-emptying (kenosis) by choosing observable Christ-likeness and the consistent proclamation of the gospel as the true measures of an apostle's authority, rather than unverified supernatural phenomena.
2 Corinthians 12 6 Commentary
Paul presents a paradoxical assertion of humility in 2 Corinthians 12:6. While forced by his opponents to recount extraordinary spiritual experiences (vv. 1-5), he promptly clarifies that he could truthfully boast about them without being foolish. This acknowledges the profound authenticity and significance of his revelations. Yet, the apostle's overriding concern is the spiritual well-being of the Corinthians, not his own personal prestige. He consciously "refrains" from leveraging these supernatural visions to elevate his status, even when it would be truthful to do so. His deliberate choice emphasizes that spiritual leadership should be judged by its visible manifestation: consistent character ("what he sees in me") and sound doctrine ("or hears from me"). This principle provides a foundational test for genuine ministry, steering believers away from a sensationalist pursuit of spiritual experiences and towards a Christ-centered focus on faithful living and the pure Gospel message. His restraint ultimately underscores the power of God working through his weaknesses, rather than through his personal, unprovable spiritual privileges.