121 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come I will come: Gr. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
English Standard Version
Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
121 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.
The Message
Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
121 You've forced me to talk this way, and I do it against my better judgment. But now that we're at it, I may as well bring up the matter of visions and revelations that God gave me.
New King James Version
Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
121 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:
New Living Translation
Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
121 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.
There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenly things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from the body for a time, and taken up into heaven, or whether he was taken up, body and soul together, he knew not. We are not capable, nor is it fit we should yet know, the particulars of that glorious place and state. He did not attempt to publish to the world what he had heard there, but he set forth the doctrine of Christ. On that foundation the church is built, and on that we must build our faith and hope. And while this teaches us to enlarge our expectations of the glory that shall be revealed, it should render us contented with the usual methods of learning the truth and will of God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:1-6
(Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-6)
There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenly things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from the body for a time, and taken up into heaven, or whether he was taken up, body and soul together, he knew not. We are not capable, nor is it fit we should yet know, the particulars of that glorious place and state. He did not attempt to publish to the world what he had heard there, but he set forth the doctrine of Christ. On that foundation the church is built, and on that we must build our faith and hope. And while this teaches us to enlarge our expectations of the glory that shall be revealed, it should render us contented with the usual methods of learning the truth and will of God.