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"It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast."

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:1

A LAST WORD ON “BOASTING”

There is a difference between sharing information and boasting. What Paul had written was information to the Corinthians. He was not indulging in boasting about what he had experienced. He did not elaborate on his achievements in life (2 Corinthians 11:23-33).

“It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast.
I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 12:1

1. “It is doubtless”

a) Paul was very clear on this subject.

b) The simple particle (Greek “de”) was used effectively to convey the idea “indeed” translated as “doubtless”.

2. “Not profitable for me to boast”

a) It certainly brought no personal profit to Paul.

b) It was no profit to readers also.

c) Glorying in ourselves is never profitable.

3. “I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord”

a) Visions and revelations were things people boasted about (false teachers).

b) Why do people think that they have special visions and revelations?

i) Sometimes it is self-delusion (imaginary).

ii) At other times it is self-aggrandisement (boasting).

iii) At worst, the person is being manipulated by the Evil One to deceive others.

WHAT ARE VISIONS AND REVELATIONS FROM THE LORD

The LORD Himself explains what these things mean in the following text:

“Then He said,
‘Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision;
I speak to him in a dream.'”
Numbers 12:6

1. God’s special word to His servants the prophets (Old Testament)

a) God makes Himself known to the prophet.

b) Two usual means of communication:

i) Visions

ii) Dreams

2. The special messengers of God in the New Testaments

The Apostles of Christ replaced the Old Testament prophets as the special servants of God. Paul was one of the special Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. He received many revelations from the Lord.