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 must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of the Christ, that each may receive the things [done] in the body, according to those he has done, whether [it be] good or evil. 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men, but have been manifested to God, and I hope also that we have been manifested in your consciences. [For] we do not again commend ourselves to you, but [we are] giving to you occasion of boast in our behalf, that ye may have [such] with those boasting in countenance, and not in heart. 13For whether we are beside ourselves, [it is] to God; or are sober, [it is] for you. 14For the love of the Christ constrains us, having judged this: that one died for all, then all have 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

• againπάλινpalin · againG3825
• commendσυνίστημι, συνιστάωsunistaō sunistanō sunistēmi · to commendG4921
• givingδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• occasionἀφορμήaphormē · opportunityG874
• boastκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• behalfὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• boastingκαύχημαkauchēma · prideG2745
• heartκαρδίαkardia · heartG2588

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 5:12

• 2 Corinthians 3:1Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or do we need, as some, commendatory letters to you, or [commendatory] from you?
• 2 Corinthians 6:4but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,
• 2 Corinthians 10:8For and if I should boast even somewhat more abundantly of our authority, which the Lord has given [to us] for building up and not for your overthrowing, I shall not be put to shame;
• 2 Corinthians 12:11I have become a fool; ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.
• Proverbs 27:2Let another praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
• 2 Corinthians 1:14even as also ye have recognised us in part, that we are your boast, even as ye [are] ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 11:12But what I do, I will also do, that I may cut off the opportunity of those wishing [for] an opportunity, that wherein they boast they may be found even as we.
• 2 Corinthians 12:1Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord.
• Galatians 6:12As many as desire to have a fair appearance in [the] flesh, these compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted because of 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