2 Corinthians 12:5–6: Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 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.


Paul boasted about a man (cf. “a man in Christ,” v. 2, and “this man,” v. 3) because his accent was on Christ, not himself. The Corinthian preoccupation with the external and the spectacular was regrettable to Paul. He could boast of these things truthfully, by which he implied that the claims of other men in Corinth were suspect. But what mattered to Paul was not his achievements but God’s work through him and the gospel that he preached. 1

Personal Application

  • Read Philippians 3:8-9. Paul accomplished a lot, but where did he place his confidence? What does it mean: “to be found in Christ?”

Godly Encouragement

  • I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 3:14

A Biblical Thought to Share with Others

True confidence is found in Christ and not in self-confidence. – TWEET IT

A Prayer to Consider

Lord, thank you for being all that I will ever need.


1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

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Tommy Blumberg

Tommy Blumberg

Tommy Blumberg was ordained as a Calvary Chapel pastor in 1985, where he served as an assistant pastor at Calvary Fellowship, in Seattle. In 1992, Pastor Tom, his wife Pam, and their three daughters moved to Bellingham and began a Bible study, which led to the founding of Calvary Chapel Northwest. Tom blogs regularly at TommyBlumberg.com.