2 Corinthians 12:19

2 Corinthians 12:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
• New International Version (NIV)Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:19

17Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you? 18I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps? Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up. 20For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. 21I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.

2 Corinthians 12:19 word by word

Πάλαι δοκεῖτε ὅτι ὑμῖν ἀπολογούμεθα. κατέναντι θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ λαλοῦμεν. τὰ δὲ πάντα, ἀγαπητοί, ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑμῶν οἰκοδομῆς.Read the interlinear

• Have you been thinkingδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
• all alongπάλαιpalai · of oldG3819
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• we were making a defenseἀπολογέομαιapologeomai · to defend oneselfG626
• to youσύsu · youG4771
• We speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• beforeκατέναντιkatenanti · beforeG2713
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• andδέde · thenG1161
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• ofὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• belovedἀγαπητόςagapētos · belovedG27
• ·ὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• to build you upοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:19

• 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
• 2 Corinthians 5:12We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
• 2 Corinthians 11:10As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.
• Romans 9:1I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit.
• 2 Corinthians 5:13If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
• 2 Corinthians 10:8For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
• 2 Corinthians 13:10This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
• 1 Corinthians 9:12If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 10:33as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.
• 1 Corinthians 14:26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
• 2 Corinthians 12:15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Romans 12:19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
• Philippians 4:1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19Think ye that we excuse ourselves - ; That we make an apology for our conduct; or, that I have sent Titus and that brother to you because I was ashamed or afraid to come myself? We speak before God in Christ - I have not done so; I speak the truth before God; he is judge whether I was actuated in this way by any sinister or unworthy motive. For your edifying - Whatever I have done in this or any other way, I have done for your edifying; not for any…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? - see the note on 2 Corinthians 5:12. The sense is, Do not suppose that this is said from mere anxiety to obtain your favor, or to ingratiate ourselves into your esteem. This is said doubtless to keep himself from the suspicion of being actuated by improper motives. He had manifested great solicitude certainly in the previous chapter to vindicate his character; but he here says that it was not from a mere…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-21Verses 11-21 We owe it to good men, to stand up in the defence of their reputation; and we are under special obligations to those from whom we have received benefit, especially spiritual benefit, to own them as instruments in God's hand of good to us. Here is an account of the apostle's behaviour and kind intentions; in which see the character of a faithful minister of the gospel. This was his great aim and design, to do good. Here are noticed several…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19Paul is not just defending his actions and motives. He wants to assure his dear friends of his true love and Christian service for the church's well-being.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. Again--The oldest manuscripts read, "This long time ye think that we are excusing ourselves unto you? (Nay). It is before God (as opposed to 'unto you') that we speak in Christ" (2Co 2:17). English Version Greek text was a correction from 2Co 3:1; 5:12.Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:19

• Love
• Minister, Christian
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• God
• Christ, Messiah
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Backbiting
• Crafty
• Excuse
• Gain
• Grace
• Perfect

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12

• 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