Amplified Bible
2 Corinthians 7:12
12So even though I wrote to you [as I did], it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but in order to make evident to you before God how earnestly you do care for us [and your willingness to accept our authority].
2 Corinthians 7:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
- New International Version (NIV)So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.
- English Standard Version (ESV)So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
Context of 2 Corinthians 7:12
10For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death. 11For [you can look back and] see what an earnestness and authentic concern this godly sorrow has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves [against charges that you tolerate sin], what indignation [at sin], what fear [of offending God], what longing [for righteousness and justice], what passion [to do what is right], what readiness to punish [those who sin and those who tolerate sin]! At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in the matter. So even though I wrote to you [as I did], it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but in order to make evident to you before God how earnestly you do care for us [and your willingness to accept our authority]. 13It is for this reason that we are comforted and encouraged. And in addition to our comfort, we were especially delighted at the joy of Titus, because you have refreshed his spirit. 14For if I have boasted to him at all concerning you, I was not disappointed. But just as everything we ever said to you was true, so our boasting [about you] to Titus has proved true also.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 72 Corinthians 7:12 word by word
ἄρα εἰ καὶ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν, οὐχ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικήσαντος οὐδὲ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικηθέντος, ἀλλ᾽ ἕνεκεν τοῦ φανερωθῆναι τὴν σπουδὴν ὑμῶν τὴν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Whereforeἄραara · thereforeG686
- Whereforeεἰei · if: even thoughG1487
- ·καίkai · andG2532
- thoughἕνεκαheneka heneken heineken · because ofG1752
- I wroteγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
- unto youσύsu · youG4771
- notοὐou · noG3756
- that had done the wrongὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- that had done the wrongἀδικέωadikeō · to harmG91
- norοὐδέoude · norG3761
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- careσπουδήspoudē · diligenceG4710
- forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
- youἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- in the sightἐνώπιονenōpion · beforeG1799
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- might appearφανερόωphaneroō · to revealG5319
- untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 7:12
- 2 Corinthians 2:9For this was my purpose in writing, to see if you would stand the test, whether you are obedient and committed to following my instruction in all things.
- 1 Corinthians 5:1It is actually reported [everywhere] that there is sexual immorality among you, a kind of immorality that is condemned even among the [unbelieving] Gentiles: that someone has [an intimate relationship with] his father’s wife.
- 2 Corinthians 2:4For I wrote to you out of great distress and with an anguished heart, and with many tears, not to cause you sorrow but to make you realize the [overflowing] love which I have especially for you.
- 2 Corinthians 11:11Why? Because I do not love you [or wish you well, or have regard for your welfare]? God knows [that I do]!
- 1 Timothy 3:5(for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?).
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 7:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Not for his cause that had done the wrong - viz. the incestuous person. Nor for his cause that suffered wrong - Some think the apostle means himself; others, that he means the Church at Corinth, the singular being put for the plural; others, the family of the incestuous person; and others, the father of the incestuous person. If this latter opinion be adopted, it would seem to intimate that the father of this person was yet alive, which would make the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Wherefore, though I wrote unto you - In this verse Paul states the main reason why he had written to them on the subject. It was not principally on account of the man who had done the wrong, or of him who had been injured; but it was from tender anxiety for the whole church, and in order to show the deep interest which he had in their welfare. Not for his cause that had done the wrong - Not mainly, or principally on account of the incestuous person; 1…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-16Verses 12-16 The apostle was not disappointed concerning them, which he signified to Titus; and he could with joy declare the confidence he had in them for the time to come. Here see the duties of a pastor and of his flock; the latter must lighten the troubles of the pastoral office, by respect and obedience; the former make a due return by his care of them, and cherish the flock by testimonies of satisfaction, joy, and tenderness.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-13At first, Paul regretted sending his previous letter (see 2:3–4). Now he does not regret it, realizing the pain was worthwhile. The severe letter led the church in Corinth to repent. They rebuked the offending person—perhaps too strongly (see 2:6–11).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. though I wrote unto you--"making you sorry with my letter" (2Co 7:8). his cause that suffered wrong--the father of the incestuous person who had his father's wife (1Co 5:1). The father, thus it seems, was alive. that our care for you, &c.--Some of the oldest manuscripts read thus, "That YOUR care for us might be made manifest unto you," &c. But the words, "unto you," thus, would be rather obscure; still the obscurity of the genuine reading may have…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 7:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 7
- 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
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