2 COR 12:6 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For even if I desire to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain, so that no one would think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me.

UST In fact, suppose that I did want to say great things about myself. Since I am speaking truthfully, I would still not be acting foolishly. However, I decide not to say great things about myself. That way, people can only characterize me by what they observe me saying and doing.

BSB Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking [the] truth. But I refrain, [so] [no one] will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,

BLB For if I should desire to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should credit to me more than what he sees in me, or anyone hears of me,

AICNT For if I should choose to boast, I will not be foolish, for I will speak the truth; but I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what they see me or hear from me.

OEB Yet if I choose to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will be speaking no more than the truth. But I refrain, in case anyone should credit me with more than he can see in me or hear from me, and because of the marvellous character of the revelations.

WEBBE For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me or hears from me.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me,

LSV for if I may wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will say truth; but I refrain, lest in regard to me anyone may think anything above what he sees me, or hears anything of me;

FBV I wouldn't be foolish if I wanted to boast, because I'd be telling the truth. But I won't boast, so that nobody will think more of me than what they see me doing or hear me saying.

TCNT But even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. Nevertheless, I refrain so that no one will think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from [fn]me.

12:6 me. And to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations I received, ¦ me, even considering the surpassing greatness of the revelations I received. Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, CT

T4T But even if I should choose to boast to you about such wonderful things that happened to me, I would not be speaking like a fool, because I would be telling you the truth. But I will not talk proudly about such things, because I do not want any of you to think highly of me because of the things that have happened to me. Instead, I want you to decide what kind of person I am by the way you see me acting and by what you hear me teach.

LEB For if I want to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be telling the truth, but I am refraining, so that no one can credit to me more than what he sees in me or hears anything from me,

BBE For if I had a desire to take credit to myself, it would not be foolish, for I would be saying what is true: but I will not, for fear that I might seem to any man more than he sees me to be, or has word from me that I am.

Moff (If I did care to boast of other things, I would be no "fool," for I would have a true tale to tell; however, I abstain from that — I want no one to take me for more than he can see in me or make out from me.)

Wymth If however I should choose to boast, I should not be a fool for so doing, for I should be speaking the truth. But I forbear, lest any one should be led to estimate me more highly than what his own eyes attest, or more highly than what he hears from my lips.

ASV For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.

DRA For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.

YLT for if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me;

Drby For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say [the] truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me [to be], or whatever he may hear of me.

RV For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.
(For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth/sees me to be, or heareth/hears from me. )

SLT For if I be willing to boast, I shall not be mad; for the truth will I say: and I spare, lest any reckon for me above what he sees me, or what he hears of me.

Wbstr For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be , or what he heareth from me.

KJB-1769 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
(For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth/sees me to be, or that he heareth/hears of me. )

KJB-1611 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a foole: for I will say the trueth. But now I forbeare, lest any man should thinke of me aboue that which hee seeth me to bee, or that hee heareth of me:
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from marking of added words (and possibly capitalisation and punctuation))

Bshps For though I woulde desire to glorie, I shall not be a foole, for I wyll say the trueth: but I nowe refrayne, lest any man shoulde thynke of me, aboue that which he seeth me to be, or yt he heareth of me.
(For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool, for I will say the truth: but I now refrayne, lest any man should think of me, above that which he seeth/sees me to be, or it he heareth/hears of me.)

Gnva For though I woulde reioyce, I should not be a foole, for I will say the trueth: but I refraine, lest any man should thinke of me aboue that hee seeth in me, or that he heareth of me.
(For though I would rejoice, I should not be a fool, for I will say the truth: but I refraine, lest any man should think of me above that he seeth/sees in me, or that he heareth/hears of me. )

Cvdl And though I wolde boast my selfe, I dyd not foolishly, for I wolde saye the trueth. But I refrayne my selfe, lest eny ma shulde thinke of me aboue yt he seyth in me, or heareth of me.
(And though I would boast myself, I did not foolishly, for I would say the truth. But I refrain myself, lest any man should think of me above it he saith/says in me, or heareth/hears of me.)

TNT And yet though I wolde reioyce I shuld not be a fole: for I wolde saye the trouthe. Neverthe lesse I spare lest eny man shuld thynke of me above that he seith me to be or heareth of me.
(And yet though I would rejoice I should not be a fole: for I would say the trouthe. Neverthe less I spare lest any man should think of me above that he saith/says me to be or heareth/hears of me. )

Wycl For if Y schal wilne to glorie, Y schal not be vnwijs, for Y schal seie treuthe; but Y spare, lest ony man gesse me ouer that thing that he seeth in me, or herith ony thing of me.
(For if I shall wilne to glory, I shall not be unwise, for I shall say truth; but I spare, lest any man gesse me over that thing that he seeth/sees in me, or heareth/hears any thing of me.)

Luth Und so ich mich rühmen wollte, täte ich darum nicht töricht; denn ich wollte die Wahrheit sagen. Ich enthalte mich aber des, auf daß nicht jemand mich höher achte, denn er an mir siehet, oder von mir höret,
(And so I me boast/praise wanted, would I therefore not foolish; because/than I wanted the truth say. I contain/include me but of, on/in/to that not someone me higher eighth, because/than he at/to to_me see/look, or from to_me hear,)

ClVg Nam etsi voluero gloriari, non ero insipiens: veritatem enim dicam: parco autem, ne quis me existimet supra id quod videt in me, aut aliquid audit ex me.[fn]
(For/Surely even_though voluero to_boast, not/no I_will_be stupid: the_truth because I_will_say: parco however, not who/any me existimet above that that he_sees in/into/on me, or something listens from me. )

12.6 Supra id quod, etc. Si enim magna referrem et plura, forte aliqui putarent me non esse infirmum, sed hominem immortalem, vel angelum, etc.; ideoque parce de me loquor.

12.6 Above that that, etc. When/But_if because big to_reportm and more, perhaps some putarent me not/no to_be weak, but man immortalem, or a_messenger/angel, etc.; and_therefore parce from/about me I_speak.

UGNT ἐὰν γὰρ θελήσω καυχήσασθαι, οὐκ ἔσομαι ἄφρων, ἀλήθειαν γὰρ ἐρῶ; φείδομαι δέ, μή τις εἰς ἐμὲ λογίσηται ὑπὲρ ὃ βλέπει με, ἢ ἀκούει ἐξ ἐμοῦ.
(ean gar thelaʸsō kauⱪaʸsasthai, ouk esomai afrōn, alaʸtheian gar erō; feidomai de, maʸ tis eis eme logisaʸtai huper ho blepei me, aʸ akouei ex emou.)

SBL-GNT ἐὰν γὰρ θελήσω καυχήσασθαι, οὐκ ἔσομαι ἄφρων, ἀλήθειαν γὰρ ἐρῶ· φείδομαι δέ, μή τις εἰς ἐμὲ λογίσηται ὑπὲρ ὃ βλέπει με ἢ ἀκούει ⸀τι ἐξ ἐμοῦ,
(ean gar thelaʸsō kauⱪaʸsasthai, ouk esomai afrōn, alaʸtheian gar erō; feidomai de, maʸ tis eis eme logisaʸtai huper ho blepei me aʸ akouei ⸀ti ex emou,)

RP-GNT ἐὰν γὰρ θελήσω καυχήσασθαι, οὐκ ἔσομαι ἄφρων· ἀλήθειαν γὰρ ἐρῶ· φείδομαι δέ, μή τις εἰς ἐμὲ λογίσηται ὑπὲρ ὃ βλέπει με, ἢ ἀκούει τι ἐξ ἐμοῦ.
(ean gar thelaʸsō kauⱪaʸsasthai, ouk esomai afrōn; alaʸtheian gar erō; feidomai de, maʸ tis eis eme logisaʸtai huper ho blepei me, aʸ akouei ti ex emou.)

TC-GNT ἐὰν γὰρ θελήσω καυχήσασθαι, οὐκ ἔσομαι ἄφρων· ἀλήθειαν γὰρ ἐρῶ· φείδομαι δέ, μή τις εἰς ἐμὲ λογίσηται ὑπὲρ ὃ βλέπει με, ἢ ἀκούει [fn]τι ἐξ ἐμοῦ.
(ean gar thelaʸsō kauⱪaʸsasthai, ouk esomai afrōn; alaʸtheian gar erō; feidomai de, maʸ tis eis eme logisaʸtai huper ho blepei me, aʸ akouei ti ex emou. )

12:6 τι ¦ — WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:1–10: Paul’s vision and God’s promise to him

In this section, Paul continued boasting, but now about a vision he received (12:1). He spoke of a man who had seen into heaven through a vision (12:2). He indicated in 12:7 that he was the man who had seen the vision. But he spoke of another man to avoid sounding as if he was boasting. He did not want people to stop honoring him because he had seen that vision. He was not sure whether his body had been taken to heaven or whether it was only a vision (12:3). In the vision he saw amazing things (12:4). He told the Corinthians that regarding himself, he would only boast of his weaknesses (12:5). He explained why he normally avoided speaking of that vision (12:6).

Paul told of a physical ailment and why he had it (12:7). He told them that he had prayed that God would heal it (12:8). But God had said that he would not heal it. He promised that his grace would be enough to help Paul in all that he did (12:9a). God said that having that physical ailment would help show that God’s power was working though Paul (12:9b). So Paul was glad to boast in this weakness (12:9c), because when he was weak, then God’s power was strong (12:9d). He explained why he was happy when trouble occurred (12:10).

Other examples for this section heading are:

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn (NIV)

Paul discovered that God’s grace was sufficient when he was weak

God’s grace and power shown through human weakness

12:6a

Even if I wanted to boast,

For/But if I should decide to boast,
Let me explain, if I wanted to boast about my experiences,

12:6 begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “for” or “because.” Here Paul explained why he could boast if he wanted to. For example:

For (NASB)

Let me explain,

Normally people boast about their strengths. Here, by contrast, Paul boasted about his weaknesses (12:5b–c). In some languages it is more natural to translate the contrast. For example:

But (NRSV)

In some languages it is more natural to allow the context to indicate the connection and omit the conjunction.

Even if I wanted to boast: This clause indicates that Paul might desire or decide to boast at some time. Other ways to translate this are:

If I wanted to boast (GNT)

then, if I do choose to boast (NJB)

But if I wish to boast (NRSV)

wanted to boast: Here Paul implied he could boast about things other than his weaknesses. This would include his visions, his deeds as an apostle, and so forth.

In some languages it may be more natural to add what Paul might boast about. For example:

wanted to boast about other things

wanted to boast about my strengths

wanted to boast about the things that show I am strong in the Lord

boast: This word refers to praising someone or saying how good someone is. Normally it is not proper for a believer to speak highly of himself. In this context Paul chose not to boast about himself, but he made it clear that if he did, he would be telling the truth. Other ways to translate this word are:

speak very highly about

praise

tell about how great/wonderful/good

See how you translated this word in 1:12 or 11:10.

12:6b

I would not be a fool,

I would not speak like a fool,
I would not be foolish,

12:6c

because I would be speaking the truth.

because I would tell the truth.
because I would be telling you what actually happened.

12:6b–c

I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth: 12:6c is the reason for Paul not being a fool (12:6b). In some languages it is more natural to translate the reason before the result. For example:

I would be speaking the truth, so I would not be a fool

While it is foolish for a believer to boast about himself, because it is selfish to do that, it is even more foolish to boast untruthfully about what he has done. Paul implied here that the false teachers were fools because they lied when they boasted.

12:6d

But I refrain,

But I avoid doing that,
But I prevent myself from such boasting,

I refrain: The verb refrain refers to not doing something. Here Paul would refrain from selfish boasting. If people would not clearly see what Paul would refrain from, you may want to explain in your translation. For example:

I refrain from boasting about myself

12:6e

so no one will credit me with more

in order that no one will give too high of status to me,
so that no one would hold/regard my name/reputation too highly.

credit me with more: The Greek word that the BSB translates as credit me with more refers to considering someone to have high status. Paul did not want people to think that he was better or more important than other believers because he had visions and revelations. Other ways to translate this are:

have a higher opinion of me (GNT)

go too far in giving me high status

regard me beyond (NET)

12:6f

than he sees in me or hears from me,

rather than giving me status based on what I do and say.
I want people’s opinion of me to be based on only what I have done and said.

than he sees in me or hears from me: These words indicate that Paul wanted people to think of him based only on what he did and said. Other ways to translate this are:

you have as a result of what you have seen me do and heard me say (GNT)

he sees and hears me to be (NJB)

I want people’s opinion of me to be based only on what I have done and said

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐάν Γάρ θελήσω καυχήσασθαι οὐκ ἔσομαι ἄφρων ἀλήθειαν γάρ ἐρῶ φείδομαι δέ μή τὶς εἰς ἐμέ λογίσηται ὑπέρ ὅ βλέπει μέ ἤ ἀκούει ἐξ ἐμοῦ)

Here, the word For introduces a further explanation of what Paul said in the previous verse ([12:5](../12/05.md)). He wishes to say that he could properly boast about the man who ascended to heaven, since that man is himself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different word or phrase that introduces further explanation. Alternate translation: [Now] or [Indeed,]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-contrary

ἐὰν & θελήσω καυχήσασθαι, οὐκ ἔσομαι ἄφρων, ἀλήθειαν γὰρ ἐρῶ

Paul is making a conditional statement that sounds hypothetical, but he already knows that the condition is not true. He has decided that he will not boast. However, he wants to speak about what would be true if he did actually boast. Use a natural form in your language for introducing a condition that the speaker knows is not true. Alternate translation: [were I actually to desire to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἀλήθειαν

˓the˒_truth

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of truth, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [what is true]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

φείδομαι

˱I˲_˓am˒_refraining

Paul is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from earlier in the sentence if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [I refrain from boasting]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἰς ἐμὲ λογίσηται ὑπὲρ

to (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐάν Γάρ θελήσω καυχήσασθαι οὐκ ἔσομαι ἄφρων ἀλήθειαν γάρ ἐρῶ φείδομαι δέ μή τὶς εἰς ἐμέ λογίσηται ὑπέρ ὅ βλέπει μέ ἤ ἀκούει ἐξ ἐμοῦ)

Here, the phrase think more of me refers to how people can think a person is greater or more powerful than they actually are. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that makes this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [would consider me to be greater than] or [would think more highly of me than]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὃ βλέπει με, ἢ ἀκούει ἐξ ἐμοῦ

Here Paul refers to what people can observe him doing and saying. He wants people to think about him only based on what they see him doing and hear him saying. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [what he sees me do or hears me say] or [what he knows about my deeds and words]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

βλέπει

˱he˲_˓is˒_seeing

Although the term he is masculine, Paul is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: [he or she]

Parallel 2 COR 12:6