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

17Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? 18I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps? All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; 21I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

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

• Allπάλαιpalai · of oldG3819
• you have been thinkingδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
• that we are defendingἀπολογέομαιapologeomai · to defend oneselfG626
• it is in the sightκατέναντιkatenanti · beforeG2713
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• that we have been speakingλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• in ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• for your upbuildingοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619
• belovedἀγαπητόςagapētos · belovedG27

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:19

• 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you?
• 2 Corinthians 5:12We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.
• 2 Corinthians 11:10As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.
• Romans 9:1I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,
• 2 Corinthians 5:13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
• 2 Corinthians 10:8For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,
• 2 Corinthians 13:10For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
• 1 Corinthians 9:12If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 10:33just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.
• 1 Corinthians 14:26What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
• 2 Corinthians 12:15I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Romans 12:19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, 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 beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way 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