2 Corinthians 12:15

2 Corinthians 12:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
• New International Version (NIV)So 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?
• English Standard Version (ESV)I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
• New Living Translation (NLT)I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:15

13For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! 14Now 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. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 16But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

2 Corinthians 12:15 word by word

ἐγὼ δὲ ἥδιστα δαπανήσω καὶ ἐκδαπανηθήσομαι ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν, εἰ περισσοτέρως ὑμᾶς ἀγαπῶν ἧσσον ἀγαπῶμαι.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andδέde · thenG1161
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• will very gladlyἥδισταhēdista · most gladlyG2236
• spendδαπανάωdapanaō · to spendG1159
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• be spentἐκδαπανάωekdapanaō · to expendG1550
• forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ·ψυχήpsuchē · soulG5590
• youσύsu · youG4771
• thoughεἰei · ifG1487
• the more abundantlyπερισσῶςperissōs · excessivelyG4057
• I loveἀγαπάωagapaō · to loveG25
• the lessἥσσωνhētton · less/worseG2276

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:15

• 2 Corinthians 12:9And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
• 2 Corinthians 1:6Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
• 2 Corinthians 2:3And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.
• 2 Corinthians 7:3I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
• John 10:10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
• Galatians 4:10You observe days and months and seasons and years.
• Philippians 2:17Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
• Colossians 1:24I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
• 1 Thessalonians 2:8So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
• 2 Timothy 2:10Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
• 2 Corinthians 12:14Now 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.
• Hebrews 13:17Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
• 2 Corinthians 6:12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
• 2 Samuel 13:39And King David longed to go to Absalom. For he had been comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead.
• 2 Samuel 17:1Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight.
• 2 Samuel 18:33Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you - I will continue to act as a loving father, who spends all he has upon his children, and expends his own strength and life in providing for them the things necessary for their preservation and comfort. Though the more abundantly I love you - I will even act towards you with the most affectionate tenderness, though it happen to me, as it often does to loving fathers, that their disobedient children love…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15And I will very gladly spend - I am willing to spend my strength, and time, and life, and all that I have, for your welfare, as a father cheerfully does for his children. Any expense which may be necessary to promote your salvation I am willing to submit to. The labor of a father for his children is cheerful and pleasant. Such is his love for them that he delights in toil for their sake, and that he may make them happy. The toil of a pastor for his flock…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. 1515. I will ... spend--all I have. be spent--all that I am. This is more than even natural parents do. They "lay up treasures for their children." But I spend not merely my treasures, but myself. for you--Greek, "for your souls"; not for your mere bodies. the less I be loved--Love rather descends than ascends [Bengel]. Love him as a true friend who seeks your good more than your good will.Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:15

• Love
• Minister, Christian
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Backbiting
• Crafty
• Excuse
• Gain
• Grace
• Perfect
• Revelation
• Sufficient
• Thorn
• Unspeakable

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