1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:
In the first six verses, Paul presented us a vision of Paradise. Although he referenced this vision, he did not build the case for his apostleship on it.
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast.
Paul continued referencing his boasting from chapter 11, especially 2 Corinthians 11:30. He could boast about his “visions and revelations of the Lord,” but it would not advantage the Corinthian church. The word “profitable” conveys the idea that it would not benefit others if they were to become aware of his visions and revelations. It would not help the Corinthian church for Paul to delineate this kind of phenomenal personal experience.
I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:
Through visions, Paul had direct revelation from the Lord. The word “revelations” refers to an unveiling of truth from God to man. Evidently, Paul’s rivals considered themselves recipients of supernatural revelations, which boosted their authority in the Corinthian church. However, Paul’s experience was a direct encounter with the Lord.
PRINCIPLE:
Christians should be humble with what they know.
APPLICATION:
Those who portray their so-called visions and revelations today do so for their own exaltation and not the local church’s benefit. Their motive is to seek admirers among believers. Paul’s visions and revelations humbled him, not made him proud. Christianity today is replete with those who make such claims. People grow by exposure to the Word of God, not by ecstatic experiences.
