6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
6 For though I might desire to boast,
If Paul did desire to brag about his visions and revelations, that would be a mistake.
I will not be a fool;
It is foolishness to boast about a personal vision or revelation. Paul refrained from boasting so that God would be promoted rather than himself.
for I will speak the truth.
If Paul did boast, he would speak the truth and not lie.
But I refrain,
The apostle refrained from telling his unique experience because the focus should not be on him.
lest anyone should think [esteem] of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
Paul spoke in the third person so that people would not view him more highly than they should. He was not exceptional; it was a God-given situation not attributed to himself. No matter how esoteric the vision, a vision cannot replace conduct as a reliable indicator of following Christ.
PRINCIPLE:
Exceptional spiritual experiences are of no particular value.
APPLICATION:
Since Paul did not put great importance on sharing his special spiritual experience, neither should we. This reluctance should put us on guard against all forms of mysticism and exceptional experiences. We should never put the priority on experience over truth or doctrine. Experience that rests on truth and doctrine will validate the incident. Even Paul himself was reluctant to share his vision.
Is our main concern that people think highly of us? That should not be our central issue. Apart from grace, none of us would be what we are (1 Co 4:7).
