New International Version
2 Corinthians 12:14
14Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
2 Corinthians 12:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children.
Context of 2 Corinthians 12:14
12I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. 13How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!
Read all of 2 Corinthians 122 Corinthians 12:14 word by word
Ἰδοὺ τρίτον τοῦτο ἑτοίμως ἔχω ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ οὐ καταναρκήσω οὐ γὰρ ζητῶ τὰ ὑμῶν ἀλλ᾽ ὑμᾶς. οὐ γὰρ ὀφείλει τὰ τέκνα τοῖς γονεῦσιν θησαυρίζειν ἀλλ᾽ οἱ γονεῖς τοῖς τέκνοις·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Beholdὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- the third timeτρίτοςtritos · thirdG5154
- I amἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- readyἑτοίμωςhetoimōs · readilyG2093
- to comeἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
- toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- youσύsu · youG4771
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- I willκαταναρκάομαιkatanarkaō · to burdenG2655
- notοὐou · noG3756
- forγάρgar · forG1063
- I seekζητέωzēteō · to seekG2212
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- the childrenτέκνονteknon · childG5043
- oughtὀφείλωopheilō opheileō · to oweG3784
- to lay upθησαυρίζωthēsaurizō · to store upG2343
- for the parentsγονεύςgoneus · parentG1118
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:14
- 2 Corinthians 1:15Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice.
- 2 Corinthians 13:1This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:19But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
- 1 Corinthians 11:34Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
- 1 Corinthians 16:5After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia.
- Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
- Acts 20:33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
- 1 Corinthians 10:33even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
- Philippians 4:1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.
- 1 Peter 5:2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
- Genesis 24:35The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
- Genesis 31:14Then Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father’s estate?
- Proverbs 13:22A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
- Proverbs 19:14Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 4:14I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14The third time I am ready - That is, this is the third time that I am ready - have formed the resolution, to visit you. He had formed this resolution twice before, but was disappointed. See 1 Corinthians 16:5, and 2 Corinthians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 1:16. He now formed it a third time, having more probability of seeing them now than he had before. See 2 Corinthians 13:2. I seek not yours, but you - I seek your salvation, I desire not your property; others…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you - That is, this is the third time that I have purposed to come and see you, and have made preparation for it. He does not mean that he had been twice with them and was now coming the third time, but that he had twice before intended to go and had been disappointed; see 1 Corinthians 16:5; 2 Corinthians 1:15-16. His purpose had been to visit them on his way to Macedonia and again on his return from…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. 14-15a third time: Paul's first visit was when he first preached in Corinth (Acts 18:1–18). The second was an unexpected "painful visit" (2 Corinthians 2:1). Paul hopes the next visit will be happier, but there is still some distrust. They need to clear the air. I will not be a burden: Paul did not want their money. He wanted them to fully accept his authority. He was willing to give his time and energy for them instead of taking payment.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. the third time--See Introduction to the first Epistle. His second visit was probably a short one (1Co 16:7), and attended with humiliation through the scandalous conduct of some of his converts (compare 2Co 12:21; 2Co 2:1). It was probably paid during his three years' sojourn at Ephesus, from which he could pass so readily by sea to Corinth (compare 2Co 1:15, 16; 13:1, 2). The context here implies nothing of a third preparation to come; but, "I am…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:14
In the dictionaries
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
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