2 Corinthians 5:12

2 Corinthians 5:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
• New International Version (NIV)We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.
• English Standard Version (ESV)We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

Context of 2 Corinthians 5:12

10For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities]. 11Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord [and understand the importance of obedience and worship], we persuade people [to be reconciled to Him]. But we are plainly known to God [He knows everything about us]; and I hope that we are plainly known also in your consciences [your God-given discernment]. We 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. 13If we are out of our mind [just unstable fanatics as some critics say], it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit. 14For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died;

2 Corinthians 5:12 word by word

Οὐ πάλιν ἑαυτοὺς συνιστάνομεν ὑμῖν, ἀλλ᾽ ἀφορμὴν διδόντες ὑμῖν καυχήματος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἵνα ἔχητε πρὸς τοὺς ἐν προσώπῳ καυχωμένους καὶ μὴ ἐν καρδίᾳ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• we commendσυνίστημι, συνιστάωsunistaō sunistanō sunistēmi · to commendG4921
• notοὐou · noG3756
• ourselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• againπάλινpalin · againG3825
• unto youσύsu · youG4771
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• giveδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• occasionἀφορμήaphormē · opportunityG874
• to gloryκαύχημαkauchēma · prideG2745
• on ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• behalfὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ye may haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• somewhat toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• themὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• which gloryκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• appearanceπρόσωπονprosōpon · faceG4383
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• in heartκαρδίαkardia · heartG2588

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 5:12

• 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we starting to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some [false teachers], letters of recommendation to you or from you? [No!]
• 2 Corinthians 6:4but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses,
• 2 Corinthians 10:8For even though I boast rather freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed [of the truth],
• 2 Corinthians 12:11Now I have become foolish; you have forced me [by questioning my apostleship]. Actually I should have been commended by you [instead of being treated disdainfully], for I was not inferior to those super-apostles, even if I am nobody.
• Proverbs 27:2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.
• 2 Corinthians 1:14just as you have [already] partially understood us, [and one day will recognize] that you can be proud of us just as we are of you, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 11:12But 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.
• 2 Corinthians 12:1It is necessary to boast, though nothing is gained by it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
• Galatians 6:12Those who want to make a good impression in public [before the Jews] try to compel you to be circumcised, just so they will escape being persecuted for [faithfulness to] the cross of Christ.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12For we commend not ourselves? - I do not say these things to bespeak your good opinion, to procure your praise; but to give you an occasion to glory - to exult on our behalf; and to furnish you with an answer to all those who either malign us or our ministry, and who only glory in appearance - have no solid ground of exultation, and whose heart is dishonest and impure. St. Paul probably speaks here concerning the false apostle, who had been dividing the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12For we commend not ourselves again unto you - This refers to what he had said in the previous verse. He had there said that he had such a consciousness of integrity that he could appeal to God, and that he was persuaded that the Corinthians also approved his course, or admitted that he was influenced by right motives. He here states the reason why he had said this. It was not to commend himself to them. It was not to boast of his own character, nor was it…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-15Verses 9-15 The apostle quickens himself and others to acts of duty. Well-grounded hopes of heaven will not encourage sloth and sinful security. Let all consider the judgment to come, which is called, The terror of the Lord. Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the workers of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument and persuasion, to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as his disciples. Their zeal…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Paul's opponents boasted about their impressive outward ministry, but they lacked sincerity in their hearts (compare 1 Samuel 16:7; Romans 2:28–29).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. For--the reason why he leaves the manifestation of his sincerity in preaching to their consciences (2Co 3:1), namely, his not wishing to "commend" himself again. occasion to glory--(2Co 1:14), namely, as to our sincerity. in appearance--Greek, "face" (compare 1Sa 16:7). The false teachers gloried in their outward appearance, and in external recommendations (2Co 11:18) their learning, eloquence, wisdom, riches, not in vital religion in their heart…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 5:12

• Hypocrisy

In the dictionaries

• Appear
• Constrain
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Earthly
• Faith
• Groan
• Pray
• Reconcile
• Sin
• Terror

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5

• 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
• 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