Les Feldick Bible Study

What was the danger if Paul revealed his revelations of glory?

The danger was that people would exalt Paul above measure and think of him more highly than they should. The world would beat a path to his door because he had been to glory and returned, so God forbade him to share it.

Les explains that Paul had seen revelations of glory and wished he could brag about them, as though he would say, you have no idea what I saw, and if only I could tell you what I heard. But Paul says he will not be a fool, because God told him he could not do it. Paul says he forbears, withholding these things even though the pressure was beyond imagination, lest any man should think of him above what he is seen to be or heard to be. Les points out the danger: if people knew someone had actually been to glory and come back to tell about it, the world would beat a path to his door. That is why God told him he could not reveal it or share it. Paul also writes that this was lest he should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations.

2 Corinthians 12:6

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.

More Questions

Why did Paul refuse to boast about the revelations he had received?

Paul wanted to boast about the glory he had seen and heard, but he said he would not be a fool because God told him he could not do it.

Why did Paul refuse to boast about his revelations from God?

Paul would not glory in himself but only in his infirmities, and he held back from boasting so that no one would think of him above what they saw him to be or heard from him.

Why did Paul have to suppress his desire to share his heavenly vision?

Paul was human and had to suppress the feeling of wanting to share with others what he had seen and heard.

Why did Paul hold back from boasting about his visions?

Paul did not boast about his revelations because he did not want anyone to think of him as more important than the weak person they saw and heard.