2 Corinthians 12:1
New International Version
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

New Living Translation
This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.

English Standard Version
I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Berean Standard Bible
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

Berean Literal Bible
It behooves me to boast; it is not profitable indeed, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

King James Bible
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

New King James Version
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:

New American Standard Bible
Boasting is necessary, though it is not beneficial; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

NASB 1995
Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

NASB 1977
Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Legacy Standard Bible
It is necessary to boast, though it is not profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Amplified Bible
It is necessary to boast, though nothing is gained by it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Christian Standard Bible
Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

American Standard Version
I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Contemporary English Version
I have to brag. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I must brag about the visions and other things that the Lord has shown me.

English Revised Version
I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I must brag, although it doesn't do any good. I'll go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

Good News Translation
I have to boast, even though it doesn't do any good. But I will now talk about visions and revelations given me by the Lord.

International Standard Version
I must boast, although it does not do any good. Let's talk about visions and revelations from the Lord.

Majority Standard Bible
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

NET Bible
It is necessary to go on boasting. Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

New Heart English Bible
It is necessary to boast, though it is not profitable. But I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Webster's Bible Translation
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
I am compelled to boast. It is not a profitable employment, but I will proceed to visions and revelations granted me by the Lord.

World English Bible
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the LORD.

Berean Literal Bible
It behooves me to boast; it is not profitable indeed, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation
To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Smith's Literal Translation
Indeed it is not profitable to me to boast. For I will come to visions and Revelation of the Lord.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed): but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If it is necessary (though certainly not expedient) to glory, then I will next tell of visions and revelations from the Lord.

New American Bible
I must boast; not that it is profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

New Revised Standard Version
It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
BOASTING is proper, but there is no advantage in it, and I prefer to relate the visions and revelations of our LORD.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
It is necessary to boast, but it is not beneficial, for I myself come to visions and revelations of Our Lord.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
To boast is not suitable for me; I will come to visions and revelations from the Lord.

Godbey New Testament
It behooves me to glory, indeed it is not profitable, I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Haweis New Testament
IT is not expedient doubtless for me to boast. I will yet come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Mace New Testament
Have not I reason to glory? for now I shall mention my visions and revelations from the Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
I am compelled to boast. It is not a profitable employment, but I will proceed to visions and revelations granted me by the Lord.

Worrell New Testament
It is needful for me to glory, though, indeed, not profitable; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Worsley New Testament
To boast indeed does not become me: but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



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.…

Cross References
Acts 22:17-18
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.’

Acts 9:3-6
As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. / He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. ...

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.

Galatians 1:15-17
But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased / to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, / nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

1 Corinthians 9:1
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord?

1 Corinthians 15:8
And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth.

2 Corinthians 5:13
If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

2 Corinthians 11:16-18
I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. / In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool. / Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast.

Philippians 3:3-7
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— / though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: / circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ...

Revelation 1:10-11
On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, / saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

Ezekiel 1:1
In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.

Isaiah 6:1-4
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” ...

Daniel 10:7-8
Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves. / So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless.

Genesis 28:12-13
And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder. / And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie.

Genesis 32:30
So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”


Treasury of Scripture

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

expedient.

2 Corinthians 8:10
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

John 18:14
Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

to glory.

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 11:16-30
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…

I will come.

2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Numbers 12:6
And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

Ezekiel 1:1
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

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Although Boast Boasting Compelled Doubtless Employment Expedient Gained Glory Good Granted Necessary Needs Proceed Profitable Revelations Visions
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Although Boast Boasting Compelled Doubtless Employment Expedient Gained Glory Good Granted Necessary Needs Proceed Profitable Revelations Visions
2 Corinthians 12
1. For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations,
9. yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities;
11. blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting.
14. He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father;
20. although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there.














I must go on boasting
The phrase "I must go on boasting" reflects the Apostle Paul's reluctant continuation of a defense of his apostolic authority. The Greek word for "boasting" is "kauchaomai," which can mean to glory or to take pride in something. In the context of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the criticisms and challenges posed by false apostles who boasted of their own credentials. Paul, however, finds himself in a position where he must boast, not out of pride, but to affirm the truth of his ministry. This is a reminder of the tension between humility and the necessity to assert one's God-given authority for the sake of the Gospel.

Although there is nothing to be gained
Here, Paul acknowledges the futility of boasting from a worldly perspective. The Greek word "ophelos" translates to "gain" or "profit." Paul is aware that boasting in human terms does not yield spiritual profit. This reflects a deep understanding of the Christian life, where true gain is found not in self-promotion but in self-denial and the glorification of Christ. It serves as a reminder that the values of God's kingdom often stand in stark contrast to worldly values.

I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord
Paul transitions to discussing "visions and revelations from the Lord," indicating a shift from human boasting to divine experiences. The Greek word for "visions" is "optasia," which refers to supernatural appearances or insights given by God. "Revelations," from the Greek "apokalypsis," means uncovering or unveiling, often of divine mysteries. Paul is emphasizing that his authority and message are not based on human wisdom but on divine revelation. This underscores the importance of spiritual experiences that align with Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit. It also highlights the unique role of apostles in the early church, who were recipients of direct revelation to establish the foundation of Christian doctrine.

XII.

(1) It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come . . .--The English "doubtless" corresponds to a Greek illative particle. To boast, then, is not expedient for me. The MSS., however, present a considerable variety of readings. The best-authenticated text is probably that which would be represented in English by, I must needs glory. It is not, indeed, expedient, but I will come . . . The sequence of thought would seem to be that the Apostle felt constrained by the taunts of his opponents to indulge in what looked like self-assertion in vindication of his own character; that he was conscious, as he did so, that it was not, in the highest sense of the word, expedient for him; and that, under the influence of these mingled feelings, he passed over other topics on which he might have dwelt, and came at once to that which had been made matter of reproach against him.

Visions and revelations of the Lord.--It need scarcely be said that the history of the Acts is full of such visions (Acts 9:4-6; Acts 16:9; Acts 18:9; Acts 22:18; Acts 23:11; Acts 27:23). One other instance is referred to in Galatians 2:2. There is scarcely any room for doubt that this also had been made matter of reproach against him, and perhaps urged as a proof of the charge of madness. In the Clementine Homilies--a kind of controversial romance representing the later views of the Ebionite or Judaising party, in which most recent critics have recognised a thinly-veiled attempt to present the characteristic features of St. Paul under the pretence of an attack on Simon Magus, just as the writer of a political novel in modern times might draw the portraits of his rivals under fictitious names--we find stress laid on the alleged claims of Simon to have had communications from the Lord through visions and dreams and outward revelations; and this claim is contrasted with that of Peter, who had personally followed Christ during his ministry on earth (Hom. xvii. 14-20). What was said then, in the form of this elaborate attack, may well have been said before by the more malignant advocates of the same party. The charge of insanity was one easy to make, and of all charges, perhaps, the most difficult to refute by one who gloried in the facts which were alleged as its foundation--who did see visions, and did "speak with tongues" in the ecstasy of adoring rapture (1Corinthians 14:18). It may be noted as an instance of St. Luke's fairness that he, ignorant of, or ignoring, the charge of madness that had been brought against St. Paul, does not grudge the Apostle of the Circumcision whatever glory might accrue from a true revelation thus made through the medium of a vision (Acts 10:10-11). . . .

Verse 1. - It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. This rendering follows the best-attested reading; but it is at least doubtful whether, instead of δεῖ or δὲ, the ironic δὴ of Κ, Μ, and the Greek Fathers is not the true reading. In mere vowel variations, especially in passages where the meaning does not lie on the surface, the diplomatic (external) evidence is less important. If St. Paul wrote δὴ, it means, "of course it is not expedient for me to boast." I will come; for I will come; if the reading of D is correct. In that case it is hardly possible to define the counter currents of feeling which caused the use of the conjunction. Visions and revelations. The word used for "visions" means presentations perceived in a state which is neither sleeping nor waking, but which are regarded as objective; "revelations" are the truths apprehended as a result of the visions. Optasia, for "visions," only occurs elsewhere in Luke 1:22; Luke 24:23; Acts 26:19 (comp. Galatians 2:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I must
δεῖ (dei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1163: Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.

go on boasting.
Καυχᾶσθαι (Kauchasthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 2744: To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt.

Although there is nothing to gain,
συμφέρον (sympheron)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4851: From sun and phero; to bear together, i.e. to collect, or to conduce; especially advantage.

I will go on
ἐλεύσομαι (eleusomai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

visions
ὀπτασίας (optasias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3701: A vision, supernatural appearance. From a presumed derivative of optanomai; visuality, i.e. an apparition.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

revelations
ἀποκαλύψεις (apokalypseis)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 602: An unveiling, uncovering, revealing, revelation. From apokalupto; disclosure.

from [the] Lord.
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 12:1 It is doubtless not profitable for me (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 11:33
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