New King James Version
2 Corinthians 5:12
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 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 Living Translation (NLT)Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.
Context of 2 Corinthians 5:12
10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. 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. 13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
Read all of 2 Corinthians 52 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
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- we commendσυνίστημι, συνιστάωsunistaō sunistanō sunistēmi · to commendG4921
- notοὐou · noG3756
- ourselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
- againπάλινpalin · againG3825
- unto youσύsu · youG4771
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- giveδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
- occasionἀφορμήaphormē · opportunityG874
- to gloryκαύχημαkauchēma · prideG2745
- on ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- behalfὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- ye may haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- somewhat toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- themὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- which gloryκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- appearanceπρόσωπονprosōpon · faceG4383
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- in 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 others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?
- 2 Corinthians 6:4But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
- 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 12:11I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.
- Proverbs 27:2Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.
- 2 Corinthians 1:14(as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 11:12But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:
- Galatians 6:12As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for 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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries