2 Corinthians 12:1

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Corinthians 12:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 12:1 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Corinthians 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“It is not expedient doubtless for me to glory, etc..] Though it was lawful for him to glory, and was necessary in the present circumstances of things, in vindication of himself, and to preserve the Corinthians from being carried away with the insinuations of the false apostles; and so for the honour and interest of Christ and the Gospel; yet it was not expedient on some other accounts, or profitable and serviceable to himself; he might find that it tended to stir up pride, vanity, and elation of mind in him, and might be interpreted by others as proud boasting and vain glorying; wherefore he chose to drop it, and pass on to another subject; or rather though it was not expedient to proceed,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“REVELATIONS IN WHICH HE MIGHT GLORY: BUT HE RATHER GLORIES IN INFIRMITIES, AS CALLING FORTH CHRIST'S POWER: SIGNS OF HIS APOSTLESHIP: HIS DISINTERESTEDNESS: NOT THAT HE IS EXCUSING HIMSELF TO THEM; BUT HE DOES ALL FOR THEIR GOOD, LEST HE SHOULD FIND THEM NOT SUCH AS HE DESIRED, AND SO SHOULD HAVE TO BE SEVERE AT HIS COMING. (2Co. 12:1-21) He proceeds to illustrate the "glorying in infirmities" (Co2 11:30). He gave one instance which might expose him to ridicule (Co2 11:33); he now gives another, but this one connected with a glorious revelation of which it was the sequel: but he dwells not on the glory done to himself, but on the infirmity which followed it, as displaying Christ's power. The…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It is not expedient - It is not well; it does not become me. This may either mean that he felt and admitted that it did not become him to boast in this manner; that there was an impropriety in his doing it though circumstances had compelled him, and in this sense it is understood by nearly, or quite, all expositors; or it may be taken ironically. “Such a man as I am ought not to boast. So you say, and so it would seem. A man who has done no more than I have; who has suffered nothing; who has been idle and at ease as I have been, ought surely not to boast. And since there is such an evident impropriety in my boasting and speaking about myself, I will turn to another matter, and inquire…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“It is not expedient - Unless on so pressing occasion. Visions are seen; revelations, heard. 2 Corinthians 12:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:1-7 Paul’s accusers at Corinth leveled the charge that Paul did not have ecstatic spiritual experiences. He was no mystic, they said, but a plain person with no impressive gift (see 10:10). So even though Paul’s authority did not come from visions and revelations from the Lord, he reveals his secret that he did, in fact, have such experiences. 12:1 This boasting will do no good: See study note on 11:21b-29.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“expedient: Co2 8:10; Joh 16:7, Joh 18:14; Co1 6:12, Co1 10:23 to glory: Co2 12:11, Co2 11:16-30 I will come: Gr. For I will come visions: Co2 12:7; Num 12:6; Ezek. 1:1-28, Eze 11:24; Dan 10:5-10; Joe 2:28, Joe 2:29; Act 9:10-17; Act 18:9, Act 22:17-21, Act 23:11, Act 26:13-19; Gal 1:12, Gal 2:2; Jo1 5:20 2 Corinthians 12:2”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification