On my [Paul] own behalf, I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I , so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. (2 Corinthians 12:5–6, ESV 2025).
My Musings – While the 1984 New International Version (NIV) is my go-to translation, I like how the English Standard Version (ESV) translates this. “So that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.” And as for Paul, what they would see would be a lot to boast about.
“What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” (2 Corinthians 11:21–30, NIV 1984).
If Paul were to genuinely “dare to boast,” He “would not be a fool,” for “God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that [He would] not lying.” (2 Corinthians 11:31, NIV 1984). But in humility, Paul would rather “refrain from it” and “boast of the things that show [his] weakness.” To “[serve] the Lord with great humility and with tears, although [being] severely tested.” (Acts 20:19, NIV 1984). And I think that is exactly the point of making sure that “no one may think more of [us] than [they] see in [us] or hears from [us].”
My Advice – This is how we are able to “answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart,” (2 Corinthians 5:12, NIV 1984). That what they see and her in us on the outside are consistent and is a true reflection of Christ that comes from the heart.
