2 Corinthians 11:12

2 Corinthians 11:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
• New International Version (NIV)And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.

Context of 2 Corinthians 11:12

10As the truth of Christ is in me, my boast [of independence] will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia (southern Greece). 11Why? Because I do not love you [or wish you well, or have regard for your welfare]? God knows [that I do]! But what I am doing I will keep doing, [for I am determined to keep this independence] in order to cut off the claim of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things they brag about. 13For such men are counterfeit apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:12 word by word

ὃ δὲ ποιῶ, καὶ ποιήσω, ἵνα ἐκκόψω τὴν ἀφορμὴν τῶν θελόντων ἀφορμήν, ἵνα ἐν ᾧ καυχῶνται, εὑρεθῶσιν καθὼς καὶ ἡμεῖς.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• whatὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• I doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• I may cut offἐκκόπτωekkoptō · to preventG1581
• occasionὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• occasionἀφορμήaphormē · opportunityG874
• which desireθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• ·ἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• they gloryκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• they may be foundεὑρίσκωheuriskō · to find/meetG2147
• asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 11:12

• 2 Corinthians 11:9And when I was with you and ran short [financially], I did not burden any of you; for what I needed was fully supplied by the brothers (Silas and Timothy) who came from Macedonia (the church at Philippi). So I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.
• 2 Corinthians 1:17So then, was I indecisive or capricious when I was [originally] planning this? Or the things I plan, do I plan in a self-serving way like a worldly man, ready to say, “Yes, yes” and “No, no” [at the same time]?
• Job 23:13But He is unique and unchangeable, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does.
• 1 Corinthians 9:12If others share in this rightful claim over you, do not we even more? However, we did not exercise this right, but we put up with everything so that we will not hinder [the spread of] the good news of Christ.
• 1 Timothy 5:14So I want younger widows to get married, have children, manage their households, and not give opponents of the faith any occasion for slander.
• Galatians 1:7which is really not another [gospel]; but there are [obviously] some [people masquerading as teachers] who are disturbing and confusing you [with a misleading, counterfeit teaching] and want to distort the gospel of Christ [twisting it into something which it absolutely is not].
• Philippians 1:15Some, it is true, are [actually] preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry [toward me—for no better reason than a competitive spirit or misguided ambition], but others out of goodwill and a loyal spirit [toward me].
• 2 Corinthians 11:18Since many boast [of worldly things and brag] about human accomplishments, I will boast too.
• 2 Corinthians 5:12We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an occasion to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in [outward] appearances [the virtues they pretend to have] rather than what is [actually] in heart.
• 2 Corinthians 10:17However, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
• 1 Corinthians 5:6Your boasting [over the supposed spirituality of your church] is not good [indeed, it is vulgar and inappropriate]. Do you not know that [just] a little leaven ferments the whole batch [of dough, just as a little sin corrupts a person or an entire church]?
• Galatians 6:13For even the circumcised [Jews] themselves do not [really] keep the Law, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh [that is, in the fact that they convinced you to be circumcised].

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12But what I do, etc. - I act thus that I may cut off occasion of glorying, boasting, or calumniating from them - the false prophets and his partisans, who seek occasion - who would be glad that I should become chargeable to you, that it might in some sort vindicate them who exact much from you; for they bring you into bondage, and devour you, 2 Corinthians 11:20. Nothing could mortify these persons more than to find that the apostle did take nothing, and…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12But what I do - The course of life which I have been pursuing I will continue to pursue. That is, I will continue to preach as I have done without demanding a support. I will labor with my own hands if necessary; I will preach without demanding rigidly what I might be entitled to. That I may cut off occasion - That I might give them no opportunity of accusing me of desiring to grow rich, and of calumniating me. Paul meant that they should have no…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-15Verses 5-15 It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Paul refused support from the Corinthians (11:7–11) to demonstrate true Christian service. He wanted to contrast this with those who served to boast.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. I will do--I will continue to decline help. occasion--Greek, "the occasion," namely, of misrepresenting my motives, which would be afforded to my detractors, if I accepted help. that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we--Bengel joins this clause with "the occasion," namely, of glorying or boasting; the occasion "that they may be found (a point wherein they glory) even as we," that is, quite as disinterested, or virtually, quite as…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 11:12

• Minister, Christian
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Abase
• Above
• Corrupt
• Fear
• Jealous
• Peril
• Philippians, Epistle to
• Receive
• Save
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings