2 Corinthians 12:13

2 Corinthians 12:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
• New International Version (NIV)How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
• English Standard Version (ESV)For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
• New King James Version (NKJV)For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:13

11You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. 12When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong! 14Now 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. 15I 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.

2 Corinthians 12:13 word by word

τί γάρ ἐστιν ὃ ἡσσώθητε ὑπὲρ τὰς λοιπὰς ἐκκλησίας, εἰ μὴ ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐγὼ οὐ κατενάρκησα ὑμῶν; χαρίσασθέ μοι τὴν ἀδικίαν ταύτην.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• it whereinὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• ye were inferiorἡσσάομαιhēttaō · be lesserG2274
• toὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• otherλοιπόςloipoi · remainingG3062
• churchesἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
• exceptεἰei · if: notG1487
• ·μήmē · notG3361
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• myselfαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• wasκαταναρκάομαιkatanarkaō · to burdenG2655
• notοὐou · noG3756
• to youσύsu · youG4771
• forgiveχαρίζωcharizomai · to give graceG5483
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• wrongἀδικίαadikia · unrighteousnessG93

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:13

• 2 Corinthians 12:14Now 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.
• 2 Corinthians 11:8I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost.
• 1 Corinthians 9:6Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?
• 2 Corinthians 11:7Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return?

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13For what is it wherein you were inferior - This is a fine, forcible, yet delicate stroke. It was your duty and your interest to have supported your apostle; other Churches have done so: I did not require this from you; in this respect all other Churches are superior to you. I am the cause of your inferiority, by not giving you an opportunity of ministering to my necessities: forgive me the wrong I have done you. It is the privilege of the Churches of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13For what is it … - This verse contains a striking mixture of sarcasm and irony, not exceeded, says Bloomfield, by any example in Demosthenes. the sense is,” I have given among you the most ample proof of my apostolic commission. I have conferred on you the highest favors of the apostolic office. In these respects you are superior to all other churches. In one respect only are you inferior - it is in this, that you have not been burdened with the privilege…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. 13except that I was not a burden to you: The only thing Paul failed to do was accept payment for his services (see 11:7–11). Forgive me this wrong!: This request is ironic and humorous.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. wherein you were inferior--that is, were treated with less consideration by me than were other churches. I myself--I made a gain of you neither myself, nor by those others whom I sent, Titus and others (2Co 12:17, 18). wrong--His declining support from the Corinthians might be regarded as the denial to them of a privilege, and a mark of their spiritual inferiority, and of his looking on them with less confidence and love (compare 2Co 11:9, 11).Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:13

• Minister, Christian

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