New Living Translation
2 Corinthians 12:19
19Perhaps 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.
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 King James Version (NKJV)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.
Context of 2 Corinthians 12:19
17But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? 18When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way. 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. 20For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 21Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 122 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 3:1Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or who ask you to write such letters on their behalf? Surely not!
- 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 11:10As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this.
- Romans 9:1With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it.
- 2 Corinthians 5:13If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.
- 2 Corinthians 10:8I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.
- 2 Corinthians 13:10I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.
- 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 Corinthians 10:33I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.
- 1 Corinthians 14:26Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
- 2 Corinthians 12:15I 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 7:1Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
- Romans 12:19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 10:14So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.
- Philippians 4:1Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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