2 Corinthians 11:12

2 Corinthians 11:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
• New International Version (NIV)And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But 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.

Context of 2 Corinthians 11:12

10As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do. But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:12 word by word

ὃ δὲ ποιῶ, καὶ ποιήσω, ἵνα ἐκκόψω τὴν ἀφορμὴν τῶν θελόντων ἀφορμήν, ἵνα ἐν ᾧ καυχῶνται, εὑρεθῶσιν καθὼς καὶ ἡμεῖς.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• whatὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• I doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• I may cut offἐκκόπτωekkoptō · to preventG1581
• occasionὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• occasionἀφορμήaphormē · opportunityG874
• which desireθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• ·ἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• they gloryκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• they may be foundεὑρίσκωheuriskō · to find/meetG2147
• asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 11:12

• 2 Corinthians 11:9And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be.
• 2 Corinthians 1:17You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”?
• Job 23:13But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does.
• 1 Corinthians 9:12If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.
• 1 Timothy 5:14So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them.
• Galatians 1:7but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
• Philippians 1:15It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.
• 2 Corinthians 11:18And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.
• 2 Corinthians 5:12Are 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.
• 2 Corinthians 10:17As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
• 1 Corinthians 5:6Your boasting about this is terrible. Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough?
• Galatians 6:13And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12But what I do, etc. - I act thus that I may cut off occasion of glorying, boasting, or calumniating from them - the false prophets and his partisans, who seek occasion - who would be glad that I should become chargeable to you, that it might in some sort vindicate them who exact much from you; for they bring you into bondage, and devour you, 2 Corinthians 11:20. Nothing could mortify these persons more than to find that the apostle did take nothing, and…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12But what I do - The course of life which I have been pursuing I will continue to pursue. That is, I will continue to preach as I have done without demanding a support. I will labor with my own hands if necessary; I will preach without demanding rigidly what I might be entitled to. That I may cut off occasion - That I might give them no opportunity of accusing me of desiring to grow rich, and of calumniating me. Paul meant that they should have no…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-15Verses 5-15 It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Paul refused support from the Corinthians (11:7–11) to demonstrate true Christian service. He wanted to contrast this with those who served to boast.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. I will do--I will continue to decline help. occasion--Greek, "the occasion," namely, of misrepresenting my motives, which would be afforded to my detractors, if I accepted help. that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we--Bengel joins this clause with "the occasion," namely, of glorying or boasting; the occasion "that they may be found (a point wherein they glory) even as we," that is, quite as disinterested, or virtually, quite as…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 11:12

• Minister, Christian
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Abase
• Above
• Corrupt
• Fear
• Jealous
• Peril
• Philippians, Epistle to
• Receive
• Save
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11

• 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