2 Corinthians 12:1 Commentary and Bible Study

‘Doubtless,’ says Paul, ‘it is not expedient for me [personally] to glory.’ The emphasis is on the ‘me’. It is not fitting, and so I will not do it. Instead, ‘I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord’. I will talk of my weaknesses and my afflictions, because they attest and authenticate my position as an apostle but I will not dwell long on those. Instead, I will emphasise what God has done. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord, because I never sought them. I cannot take the credit for them. I have never done anything to deserve them. I could in no way qualify to receive them. I will talk about things that God has done – his initiative, his power entirely.’ That is the sense.This is a passage about a particular experience that was given to an apostle of Christ for his service, and to help him and prepare him in it. Too often some of the verses of this chapter are taken for all Christians under all circumstances, but they are particularly for those who are in the service of the Lord. That does not mean ministers necessarily, but all Christians who in some way make the kingdom of Christ their priority, in whatever avenue of service the Lord has given them. They are fervent and their chief priority and their chief concern is the work of Christ and the kingdom of God. This is a chapter for them, not for such as are just living as Christians, yes, piously hopefully and seeking to live holy lives, but much more engaged with the things of this world and preoccupied with home and career and recreation. It follows the chapter speaking about the apostle’s authenticating labours, how they could be absolutely certain that he was an apostle. The particular things that he focuses on are his labours and his sufferings, which also served to authenticate him and prove his genuineness. But now he comes to the climax, to the greatest experience of all that he can point to in his life, beyond his conversion. He speaks of it with great reluctance – ‘It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.’ Actually, he speaks of one, the chief one, which he has spoken least about. In fact, he has not mentioned it, we read, for some 14 years.