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 Living Translation (NLT)Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you.

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:19

17Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? 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. 20For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Againπάλινpalin · againG3825
• think yeδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• we excuse ourselvesἀπολογέομαιapologeomai · to defend oneselfG626
• unto youσύsu · youG4771
• we speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• beforeκατενώπιονkatenōpion · beforeG2714
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• butδέde · thenG1161
• all thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
• dearly belovedἀγαπητόςagapētos · belovedG27
• forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• edifyingοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:19

• 2 Corinthians 3:1Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?
• 2 Corinthians 5:12For 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.
• 2 Corinthians 11:10As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
• Romans 9:1I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
• 2 Corinthians 5:13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
• 2 Corinthians 10:8For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed—
• 2 Corinthians 13:10Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.
• 1 Corinthians 9:12If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder 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 many, that they may be saved.
• 1 Corinthians 14:26How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
• 2 Corinthians 12:15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Romans 12:19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to 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 beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, 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
• Backbiting
• Crafty
• Excuse
• Gain
• Grace
• Perfect
• Revelation
• Sufficient

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