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NASB | 2 Corinthians 12:1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 12:1 It is necessary to boast, though nothing is gained by it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. |
Subject: What does 2 Cor12:1-4 mean? |
Bible Note: Hi, Richard... All Scripture is inspired. We use that word in a very specific theological sense; i.e., "God breathed." (You might lookup the doctrine of the verbal plenary inspiration of Scripture.) When we use the word revelation, we are also using a theological term. By it we speak of truth being exposed to the understanding. A vision is a particular kind of revelation, but the revelation in a vision is not always granted in its entirety; see, for example, Daniel 2:19, 31; 12:4; etc. God graciously granted Paul a high degree of understanding of revealed truth and many visions. The Apostle is very carefully asserting the superiority of revelation (comprehension of revealed truth) to that of visions. Paul was chosen by God not because Paul had so much to offer, but because God chooses on the basis of His own council. As all men struggle with it, Paul struggled with pride. Who wouldn't have that problem if they were being used so mightily by the Lord? God graciously compensated for it, though, by granting the apostle a "thorn in the flesh" to help him remain humble. Paul wants us to get this lesson. We could easily fall into the same trap of pride in our own lives. Or we could erroneously exalt Paul above measure! Thus, the point of the passage is not the vision. Paul finds more in which to glory concerning the infirmities than in the revelations. All of us should be glorifying the only One who is deserving of all glory, our Lord. In Him, Doc |