What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:5? I will boast about such a man Paul has just described “a man in Christ” who was caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2–4). • By pointing to “such a man,” Paul distances his personal identity from the astonishing revelation, keeping the spotlight off himself. • He recognizes that any supernatural experience originates with God, echoing 1 Corinthians 1:31 and Jeremiah 9:23–24, where true boasting centers on the Lord’s work, not human merit. • This approach guards the Corinthian believers from elevating Paul to celebrity status and reminds them that the real hero is Christ alone (2 Corinthians 4:5). But I will not boast about myself • Paul refuses to trumpet his own achievements, aligning with 2 Corinthians 10:17, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” • His restraint models the humility Christ displayed in Philippians 2:5–8, setting a pattern for every believer who is tempted to self-promotion. • The apostle’s life demonstrates that authority in ministry flows from dependence on God, not from impressive résumés (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). Except in my weaknesses • Paul shifts the definition of “boasting”: he will highlight only what exposes his frailty so that God’s strength can shine (2 Corinthians 11:30; 12:9-10). • Weaknesses include hardships, persecutions, and limitations that press him into deeper reliance on Christ (compare 2 Corinthians 4:7-10; Acts 14:19-22). • This paradox echoes Gideon’s reduced army in Judges 7:2 and Jesus’ teaching in John 15:5—God delights to display power through what the world deems weak. • For believers today, embracing weakness opens the door for God’s grace to be experienced and witnessed by others (1 Peter 5:5-6). Summary 2 Corinthians 12:5 reveals Paul’s careful balance: he acknowledges an extraordinary revelation yet refuses personal glory, choosing instead to “boast” only where his inadequacy magnifies Christ’s sufficiency. The verse invites us to shift our bragging rights from human accomplishments to the places where God’s power meets our need, so that all honor returns to the Lord. |
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