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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Corinthians 12:6, the Apostle Paul articulates his deliberate choice to refrain from boasting about the extraordinary heavenly visions he has experienced, even though such boasting would be entirely truthful. His restraint is rooted in a profound humility and a pastoral concern: he desires that the Corinthian believers, and indeed all people, would evaluate his apostolic authenticity and spiritual authority based solely on his observable conduct, consistent teaching, and the tangible evidence of God's work through his life and ministry, rather than being swayed by sensational, unverifiable spiritual claims or impressions of superiority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Paul's extended defense of his apostleship, particularly against the "super-apostles" who challenged his authority in Corinth. Having reluctantly engaged in "foolish" boasting in [2 Corinthians 11](/2_corinthians/11 "2 Corinthians 11 - Paul's Foolish Boasting"), where he ironically highlighted his sufferings and weaknesses as authentic marks of Christ's power, Paul then shifts in [2 Corinthians 12](/2_corinthians/12 "2 Corinthians 12 - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh and Heavenly Visions") to discuss his unparalleled spiritual revelations. He recounts being "caught up to the third heaven" and hearing "inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell" ([2 Corinthians 12:2-4](/2_corinthians/12-2-4 "Paul's Vision of the Third Heaven")). Verse 6 directly follows this account, explaining why he chooses *not* to boast about these profound, true experiences. It serves as a bridge, demonstrating his consistent commitment to humility even when legitimate grounds for boasting exist, contrasting sharply with the self-aggrandizing behavior of his opponents.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church was plagued by factions and influenced by Hellenistic rhetorical traditions that valued eloquence, power, and impressive displays. False apostles, likely Jewish Christians or Gnostic-leaning teachers, had infiltrated the community, boasting of their spiritual prowess, rhetorical skill, and possibly even visions, while denigrating Paul for his perceived lack of these qualities, his physical ailments, and his humble demeanor. In this environment, boasting was a common practice, a way to establish credibility and authority. Paul's refusal to boast about his genuine, extraordinary revelations, while simultaneously acknowledging their truth, was a counter-cultural act. It challenged the prevailing standards of leadership and spiritual authority in Corinth, redirecting attention from outward show to inward character and the observable fruit of ministry.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in 2 Corinthians. **Humility in Leadership** is paramount, as Paul consistently models a leadership style that prioritizes weakness and dependence on God over self-promotion. This echoes his earlier teaching that "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong" ([1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Weak")). The theme of **Authenticity and Integrity** is also vital; Paul desires his ministry to be judged on what is visible and verifiable – his life, teaching, and the transformative power of the gospel – rather than on private, unverifiable experiences. This reinforces his consistent call for the Corinthians to examine themselves ([2 Corinthians 13:5](/2_corinthians/13-5 "2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine Yourselves")) and to discern true apostleship by its fruit, not by its claims. Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Guarding Against Pride**, both for Paul himself and for the believers, demonstrating a deliberate spiritual discipline to prevent human admiration from eclipsing the glory due to God alone.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Greek, _kaucháomai'_):** This verb, G2744, means "to boast," "to vaunt," or "to glory." Paul uses it frequently in 2 Corinthians, often with ironic intent, to highlight the contrast between his "boasting" in weakness and the false apostles' self-aggrandizing claims. Here, it refers to the act of exalting oneself or drawing attention to one's achievements or experiences. Paul acknowledges he *could* legitimately boast about his visions, but chooses not to.
* **Fool (Greek, _áphrōn'_):** G878, meaning "mindless," "stupid," "ignorant," or "unwise." Paul's declaration, "I shall not be a fool," indicates that while the content of his boasting (his visions) would be true, the act of boasting itself would be unwise or senseless in its effect. It would not edify, but rather foster an unhealthy perception of him, leading to pride in himself or misplaced admiration from others.
* **Forbear (Greek, _pheídomai'_):** G5339, meaning "to be chary of," "to abstain," or "to treat leniently." In this context, it signifies Paul's deliberate act of restraint or self-control. He holds back from speaking further about his visions, not because they are untrue, but because he is being "chary" or careful with how he presents himself, prioritizing the spiritual well-being of the Corinthians over his own reputation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth:"** Paul begins by acknowledging the natural human inclination to boast, especially when one has legitimate grounds. He admits he "would desire to glory" in his extraordinary revelations, implying that it would be a true and justifiable boast. However, he immediately checks this desire, stating, "I shall not be a fool." This is not a denial of the truth of his visions, but a recognition that such boasting, even if true, would be unwise or counterproductive in its impact. He clarifies this by adding, "for I will say the truth," affirming the veracity of his experiences while simultaneously demonstrating his commitment to integrity, even in his restraint.
* **"but I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me."** This clause explains the *reason* for Paul's forbearance. The conjunction "but" (G1161, _dé_) introduces a contrast to his potential desire to glory. He actively "forbears" or holds back from speaking further about his visions. The purpose of this restraint is explicitly stated: "lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me." Paul's deep concern is to prevent others from forming an exaggerated or unrealistic opinion of him based on sensational, private experiences. He wants his reputation and authority to rest on the observable reality of his life and ministry—what people "see" him doing and "hear" him teaching—rather than on an inflated perception derived from unverifiable spiritual claims. This underscores his desire for authenticity and his rejection of superficial spiritual showmanship.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in this verse. There is clear **Antithesis** between his potential "desire to glory" and his actual decision to "forbear." He sets up a contrast between what he *could* do (boast truthfully) and what he *chooses* to do (refrain from boasting for the sake of others). The phrase "I shall not be a fool" carries a strong sense of **Irony**, as Paul has just engaged in "foolish boasting" in the previous chapter, but here he defines true foolishness as boasting about spiritual experiences in a way that leads to self-exaltation or misperception. His entire defense in 2 Corinthians, including this verse, functions as an **Apostolic Apologia**, a reasoned defense of his ministry and authority, but one that subverts conventional expectations by emphasizing humility and weakness. The use of "seeth me" and "heareth of me" creates a **Parallelism**, emphasizing the observable and verifiable aspects of his ministry as the true basis for judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's decision to forbear from boasting about his extraordinary revelations, even though they are true, is a profound theological statement on the nature of spiritual authority and true humility. It teaches that genuine spiritual influence is not built on sensational experiences, private revelations, or self-promotion, but on observable character, faithful service, and the clear proclamation of the gospel. Paul prioritizes the spiritual health of the Corinthian believers over his own reputation, demonstrating a pastoral heart that seeks to prevent pride in himself and misplaced admiration in others. This aligns with the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, and that true glory belongs to God alone, not to human instruments.

* [Proverbs 27:2](/proverbs/27-2 "Proverbs 27:2 - Let another praise you, and not your own mouth")
* [Romans 12:3](/romans/12-3 "Romans 12:3 - Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought")
* [Philippians 2:3](/philippians/2-3 "Philippians 2:3 - In humility value others above yourselves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's example in 2 Corinthians 12:6 offers a powerful and enduring lesson for believers today, particularly in an age often characterized by self-promotion and the pursuit of external validation. It challenges us to reflect deeply on the source of our credibility and the nature of true spiritual influence. Paul, with every right to boast about an unparalleled spiritual experience, deliberately chose restraint. This teaches us that our walk should indeed speak louder than our words or extraordinary claims. True spiritual authority and influence stem from consistent character, faithful service, and the tangible fruit of God's work in and through us, rather than from sensational experiences, titles, or perceived status. We are called to cultivate a humility that guards against both self-exaltation and the temptation to impress others with spiritual anecdotes. Our aim should always be to direct glory to God alone, ensuring that people assess our spiritual genuineness by what they "see" us to be and "hear" from us in our daily lives and teachings, rather than being swayed by spiritual showmanship or an inflated perception of our gifts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or ministry might I be tempted to boast, even if truthfully, in a way that could lead to unhealthy perceptions or pride?**
* **How can I ensure that my spiritual influence is based on observable character and faithful service, rather than on extraordinary claims or perceived spiritual status?**
* **What does it mean for me to "forbear" or exercise restraint in sharing personal spiritual experiences, and when might such restraint be necessary for the spiritual health of others?**
* **How does Paul's example challenge my understanding of humility in leadership and everyday life?**

### FAQ

**Why would Paul choose *not* to boast about true spiritual experiences?**

Answer: Paul's decision to forbear from boasting about his genuine, extraordinary visions was motivated by profound humility and pastoral wisdom. While the experiences themselves were true, he understood that boasting about them could lead to two negative outcomes: first, it could foster pride in himself, and second, it could cause the Corinthians to "think of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me." He wanted his authority and credibility to rest on the observable reality of his life, his consistent teaching, and the tangible fruit of his ministry, rather than on sensational, unverifiable claims. This demonstrated his commitment to integrity and his desire to prevent any human admiration from eclipsing the glory due to God. His restraint served to model true humility and to redirect the focus from his personal experiences to the power of God at work through his weakness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's exemplary humility in 2 Corinthians 12:6, where he refrains from boasting about his unparalleled heavenly visions, profoundly reflects the character and ministry of Jesus Christ. While Christ possessed all divine glory and power, He "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")), intentionally emptying Himself of His divine prerogatives to live a life of humble obedience. Jesus did not seek to impress with sensational displays or boast about His unique relationship with the Father, but rather allowed His life, teachings, and ultimately His sacrificial death to speak for themselves. His ministry was characterized by truth and observable action, as seen in His miracles, His compassionate service, and His unwavering commitment to the Father's will, all of which were "seen" and "heard" by those around Him ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Whoever has seen me has seen the Father")). Paul's refusal to be thought of "above that which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me" mirrors Christ's own authentic and humble witness, establishing a pattern for all who would follow Him: true spiritual authority is found not in self-exaltation or extraordinary claims, but in a life lived in humble, truthful, and observable obedience to God, pointing always to the greater glory of the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.