2 Corinthians 12:6 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

⁶ However, if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will hold back, so that no one will think more of me than what he sees or hears from me.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

⁶ 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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

⁶ Should I desire to boast, I shall not be a witless braggart, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it] so that no one may form a higher estimate of me than [is justified by] what he sees in me or hears from me.

American Standard Version (1901)

⁶ 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.

Common English Bible

⁶ If I did want to brag, I wouldn’t make a fool of myself because I’d tell the truth. I’m holding back from bragging so that no one will give me any more credit than what anyone sees or hears about me.

Catholic Public Domain Version

⁶ For even though I am willing to glory, I will not be foolish. But I will speak the truth. Yet I will do so sparingly, lest anyone may consider me to be anything more than what he sees in me, or anything more than what he hears from me.

2 Corinthians 12:6 Cross References

Romans 9:1

I am telling [you] the truth in Christ [i.e., since I am a Christian]; I am not lying. My conscience, [confirmed] by the Holy Spirit, supports my statements [as true],

1 Corinthians 3:5

After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? They are [only] servants through whom you believed [in Christ], with each one doing what the Lord gave him to do.

2 Corinthians 1:18

But just as certainly as God is dependable, our message to you is not [both] “yes” and “no” [at the same time].

2 Corinthians 11:16

Again I say, no one should think I am foolish, but if you do, [then] accept me that way, so that I too can boast a little bit.

2 Corinthians 11:31

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who should be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.

2 Corinthians 12:11

I have become foolish [i.e., by my boasting], but you made me do it [i.e., in order to vindicate myself] For I should have been commended by you [i.e., for my effective ministry there in Corinth], because I was not inferior in any way to those “super apostles” [See 11:5], even though I am nothing.

2 Corinthians 12:7

But, so that I would not become too conceited over the tremendous revelations [I received], a “thorn in the flesh” was given to me as a messenger from Satan to torment me. [Note: This “thorn” was probably some physical handicap, possibly defective eyesight. See Gal. 4:14-15; 6:11].

2 Corinthians 5:13

For if we [seem to] be crazy, it is for the sake [of the work] of God, or if we [seem to] be sensible, it is for your benefit.

2 Corinthians 7:14

For if there is anything I have boasted to him about you, you did not cause me to be ashamed of it. But as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus [about you] proved to be true also.