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Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12 verses 1–10
Here we may observe,
I. The narrative the apostle gives of the favours God had shown him, and the honour he had done him; for doubtless he himself is the man in Christ of whom he speaks. Concerning this we may take notice, 1. Of the honour itself which was done to the apostle: he was caught up into the third heaven, Co2 12:2. When this was we cannot say, whether it was during those three days that he lay without sight at his conversion or at some other time afterwards, much less can we pretend to say how this was, whether by a separation of his soul from his body or by an extraordinary transport in the depth of contemplation. It would be presumption for us to determine, if not also to enquire into, this matter, seeing the apostle himself says, Whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell. It was certainly a very extraordinary honour done him: in some sense he was caught up into the third heaven, the heaven of the blessed, above the aerial heaven, in which the fowls fly, above the starry heaven, which is adorned with those glorious orbs: it was into the third heaven, where God most eminently manifests his glory. We are not capable of knowing all, nor is it fit we should know very much, of the particulars of that glorious place and state; it is our duty and interest to give diligence to make sure to ourselves a mansion there; and, if that be cleared up to us, then we should long to be removed thither, to abide there for ever. This third heaven is called paradise (Co2 12:4), in allusion to the earthly paradise out of which Adam was driven for his transgression; it is called the paradise of God (Rev 2:7), signifying to us that by Christ we are restored to all the joys and honours we lost by sin, yea, to much better. The apostle does not mention what he saw in the third heaven or paradise, but tells us that he heard unspeakable words, such as it is not possible for a man to utter - such are the sublimity of the matter and our unacquaintedness with the language of the upper world: nor was it lawful to utter those words, because, while we are here in this world, we have a more sure word of prophecy than such visions and revelations. Pe2 1:19. We read of the tongue of angels as well as men, and Paul knew as much of that as ever any man upon earth did, and yet preferred charity, that is, the sincere love of God and our neighbour. This account which the apostle gives us of his vision should check our curious desires after forbidden knowledge, and teach us to improve the revelation God has given us in his word. Paul himself, who had been in the third heaven, did not publish to the world what he had heard there, but adhered to the doctrine of Christ: on this foundation the church is built, and on this we must build our faith and hope. 2. The modest and humble manner in which the apostle mentions this matter is observable. One would be apt to think that one who had had such visions and revelations as these would have boasted greatly of them; but, says he, It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory, Co2 12:1. He therefore did not mention this immediately, nor till above fourteen years after, Co2 12:2. And then it is not without some reluctancy, as a thing which in a manner he was forced to by the necessity of the case. Again, he speaks of himself in the third person, and does not say, I am the man who was thus honoured above other men. Again, his humility appears by the check he seems to put upon himself (Co2 12:6), which plainly shows that he delighted not to dwell upon this theme. Thus was he, who was not behind the chief of the apostles in dignity, very eminent for his humility. Note, It is an excellent thing to have a lowly spirit in the midst of high advancements; and those who abase themselves shall be exalted.
II. The apostle gives an account of the methods God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure; and this he speaks of to balance the account that was given before of the visions and revelations he had had. Note, When God's people communicate their experiences, let them always remember to take notice of what God has done to keep them humble, as well as what he has done in favour to them and for their advancement. Here observe,
1.The apostle was pained with a thorn in the flesh, and buffeted with a messenger of Satan, Co2 12:7. We are much in the dark what this was, whether some great trouble or some great temptation. Some think it was an acute bodily pain or sickness; others think it was the indignities done him by the false apostles, and the opposition he met with from them, particularly on the account of his speech, which was contemptible. However this was, God often brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us; and this is certain, that what the apostle calls a thorn in his flesh was for a time very grievous to him: but the thorns Christ wore for us, and with which he was crowned, sanctify and make easy all the thorns in the flesh we may at any time be afflicted with; for he suffered, being tempted, that he might be able to succour those that are tempted. Temptations to sin are most grievous thorns; they are messengers of Satan, to buffet us. Indeed it is a great grievance to a good man to be so much as tempted to sin.
2.The design of this was to keep the apostle humble: Lest he should be exalted above measure, Co2 12:7. Paul himself knew he had not yet attained, neither was already perfect; and yet he was in danger of being lifted up with pride. If God love us, he will hide pride from us, and keep us from being exalted above measure; and spiritual burdens are ordered, to cure spiritual pride. This thorn in the flesh is said to be a messenger of Satan, which he did not send with a good design, but on the contrary, with ill intentions, to discourage the apostle (who had been so highly favoured of God) and hinder him in his work. But God designed this for good, and he overruled it for good, and made this messenger of Satan to be so far from being a hindrance that it was a help to the apostle.
3.The apostle prayed earnestly to God for the removal of this sore grievance. Note, Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh we should give ourselves to prayer. Therefore we are sometimes tempted that we may learn to pray. The apostle besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from him, Co2 12:8. Note, Though afflictions are sent for our spiritual benefit, yet we may pray to God for the removal of them: we ought indeed to desire also that they may reach the end for which they are designed. The apostle prayed earnestly, and repeated his requests; he besought the Lord thrice, that is, often. So that if an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we must hold on, and hold out, till we receive an answer. Christ himself prayed to his Father thrice. As troubles are sent to teach us to pray, so they are continued to teach us to continue instant in prayer.
4.We have an account of the answer given to the apostle's prayer, that, although the trouble was not removed, yet an equivalent should be granted: My grace is sufficient for thee. Note, (1.) Though God accepts the prayer of faith, yet he does not always answer it in the letter; as he sometimes grants in wrath, so he sometimes denies in love. (2.) When God does not remove our troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives us grace sufficient for us, we have no reason to complain, nor to say that he deals ill by us. It is a great comfort to us, whatever thorns in the flesh we are pained with, that God's grace is sufficient for us. Grace signifies two things: - [1.] The good-will of God towards us, and this is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort us, to support our souls and cheer up our spirits, in all afflictions and distresses. [2.] The good work of God in us, the grace we receive from the fulness that is in Christ our head; and from him there shall be communicated that which is suitable and seasonable, and sufficient for his members. Christ Jesus understands our case, and knows our need, and will proportion the remedy to our malady, and not only strengthen us, but glorify himself. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified; he ordains his praise out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.
III. Here is the use which the apostle makes of this dispensation: He gloried in his infirmities (Co2 12:9), and took pleasure in them, Co2 12:10. He does not mean his sinful infirmities (those we have reason to be ashamed of and grieved at), but he means his afflictions, his reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ's sake, Co2 12:10. And the reason of his glory and joy on account of these things was this - they were fair opportunities for Christ to manifest the power and sufficiency of his grace resting upon him, by which he had so much experience of the strength of divine grace that he could say, When I am weak, then am I strong. This is a Christian paradox: when we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we see ourselves weak in ourselves, then we go out of ourselves to Christ, and are qualified to receive strength from him, and experience most of the supplies of divine strength and grace.
Paul says this because if someone proclaims his own worth in God’s sight he is not unwise, for what he says is true. So if anyone talks about the things which have been revealed to him, he is not foolish, though if he keeps quiet about them he is wise.
"But if I should even desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth."
How then saidst thou before, "Would that ye could bear with me a little in my foolishness;" and, "That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly;" but here, "Though I should even desire to glory, I shall not be foolish?" Not in regard of glorying, but of lying; for if glorying be foolishness, how much more lying?
It is then with regard to this that he says, "I shall not be foolish." Wherefore also he added,
"For I shall speak the truth; but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth, or that he heareth from me." Here you have the acknowledged reason; for they even deemed them to be gods, on account of the greatness of their miracles. As then in the case of the elements, God hath done both things, creating them at once weak and glorious; the one, to proclaim His own power; the other, to prevent the error of mankind: so truly here also were they both wonderful and weak, so that by the facts themselves were the unbelievers instructed. For if whilst continuing to be wonderful only and giving no proof of weakness, they had by words tried to draw away the many from conceiving of them more than the truth; not only would they have nothing succeeded, but they would even have brought about the contrary. For those dissuasions in words would have seemed rather to spring of lowliness of mind, and would have caused them to be the more admired. Therefore in act and by deeds was their weakness disclosed.
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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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
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), 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). 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).