King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
If I did want to boast, I would not be foolish; because I would be speaking the truth. But, because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, I refrain, so that no one will think more of me than what my words or deeds may warrant.
Berean Standard Bible:
Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,
American Standard Version:
For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
For{G1063} though{G1437} I would desire{G2309} to glory{G2744}, I shall{G2071} not{G3756} be{G2071} a fool{G878}; for{G1063} I will say{G2046} the truth{G225}: but{G1161} now I forbear{G5339}, lest{G3361} any man{G5100} should think{G3049} of{G1519} me{G1691} above{G5228} that which{G3739} he seeth{G991} me{G3165} to be, or{G2228} that he heareth{G191} of{G5100}{G1537} me{G1700}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Corinthians 11:16
- ¶ I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
2 Corinthians 10:8
- For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
2 Corinthians 10:10
- For [his] letters, say they, [are] weighty and powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.
2 Corinthians 12:11
- ¶ I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
2 Corinthians 11:31
- The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
Job 24:25
- And if [it be] not [so] now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?
2 Corinthians 1:18
- But [as] God [is] true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12:6
2 Corinthians 12:6 is part of the Apostle Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth, written around AD 55-56. In this verse, Paul is addressing a controversy regarding the credibility of his apostolic authority. Some within the Corinthian community were challenging his qualifications, possibly due to his lack of miraculous signs or his physical ailments, which they might have seen as a sign of divine disfavor.
In the broader context of 2 Corinthians 12, Paul is recounting a mystical experience where he was caught up to the third heaven, a realm of paradise, and heard inexpressible words. Despite this extraordinary encounter, which he refers to as being "caught up into paradise," he refrains from boasting about it. The reason for his restraint is twofold: firstly, to avoid being perceived as a fool for glorying in such experiences, and secondly, to prevent others from elevating him above what they can directly observe or hear about him through reliable testimony.
Paul's humility is a central theme in this verse. He is conscious of the potential for pride in spiritual achievements and is determined to maintain integrity by not exaggerating his experiences or abilities. His aim is to ensure that his influence and authority are grounded in the truth of his character and conduct, rather than in exaggerated claims or superficial judgments based on hearsay.
The historical context reflects the challenges early Christian leaders faced in establishing their legitimacy amid various factions within the church. Paul's approach to leadership by example and humility stands in stark contrast to the boastful tendencies of some itinerant preachers of the time who sought to impress others with tales of visions and revelations to gain authority and followers.
In summary, 2 Corinthians 12:6 encapsulates Paul's commitment to honesty and humility in his ministry. Despite having had profound spiritual experiences, he chooses not to boast about them to avoid being thought of as a fool or to prevent others from forming an inflated opinion of him beyond what is true and verifiable through his actions and teachings. This verse underscores the importance of integrity and the dangers of self-promotion in spiritual leadership.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet. - Strong's Number: G1437
There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐάν
Transliteration: eán
Pronunciation: eh-an'
Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή. - Strong's Number: G2309
There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θέλω
Transliteration: thélō
Pronunciation: eth-el-eh'-o
Description: apparently strengthened from the alternate form of αἱρέομαι; to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas βούλομαι properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in:--desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, - ling(-ly)). - Strong's Number: G2744
There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καυχάομαι
Transliteration: kaucháomai
Pronunciation: kow-khah'-om-ahee
Description: from some (obsolete) base akin to that of (to boast) and εὔχομαι; to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense):--(make) boast, glory, joy, rejoice. - Strong's Number: G2071
There are 170 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔσομαι
Transliteration: ésomai
Pronunciation: es'-om-ahee
Description: future of εἰμί; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - Strong's Number: G878
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄφρων
Transliteration: áphrōn
Pronunciation: af'-rone
Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and φρήν; properly, mindless, i.e. stupid, (by implication) ignorant, (specially) egotistic, (practically) rash, or (morally) unbelieving:--fool(-ish), unwise. - Strong's Number: G2046
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐρέω
Transliteration: eréō
Pronunciation: er-eh'-o
Description: probably a fuller form of ῥέω; an alternate for ἔπω in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say:--call, say, speak (of), tell. - Strong's Number: G225
There are 1319 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλήθεια
Transliteration: alḗtheia
Pronunciation: al-ay'-thi-a
Description: from ἀληθής; truth:--true, X truly, truth, verity. - Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G5339
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φείδομαι
Transliteration: pheídomai
Pronunciation: fi'-dom-ahee
Description: of uncertain affinity; to be chary of, i.e. (subjectively) to abstain or (objectively) to treat leniently:--forbear, spare. - Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ. - Strong's Number: G5100
There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τὶς
Transliteration: tìs
Pronunciation: tis
Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever). - Strong's Number: G3049
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λογίζομαι
Transliteration: logízomai
Pronunciation: log-id'-zom-ahee
Description: middle voice from λόγος; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on). - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G1691
There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐμέ
Transliteration: emé
Pronunciation: em-eh'
Description: a prolonged form of μέ; me:--I, me, my(-self). - Strong's Number: G5228
There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπέρ
Transliteration: hypér
Pronunciation: hoop-er'
Description: a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications. - Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ. - Strong's Number: G991
There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βλέπω
Transliteration: blépō
Pronunciation: blep'-o
Description: a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed. Compare ὀπτάνομαι. - Strong's Number: G3165
There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μέ
Transliteration: mé
Pronunciation: meh
Description: a shorter (and probably original) form of ἐμέ; me:--I, me, my. - Strong's Number: G2228
There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἤ
Transliteration: ḗ
Pronunciation: ay
Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι. - Strong's Number: G191
There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀκούω
Transliteration: akoúō
Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand. - Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion. - Strong's Number: G1700
There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐμοῦ
Transliteration: emoû
Pronunciation: em-oo'
Description: a prolonged form of μόχθος; of me:--me, mine, my.