Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
Parallel translations
- WEB Not that we control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.
- BSB Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.
- NKJV Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
- NASB Not that we domineer over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.
- NLT But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul clarifies that he does not lord it over their faith but works alongside them for their joy, since they stand firm by faith. His ministry serves their gladness, not his control.
Overview
Paul guards against any impression that apostolic authority means domineering over believers' faith. Instead he describes himself as a 'fellow worker' aiming at their joy, recognizing that they stand by faith in Christ alone. This models gospel leadership, which serves rather than tyrannizes, since faith rests on God and not on any human master.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Pet 5:3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
- 2 Tim 2:24–26And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
- 1 Cor 15:1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
- Phil 1:25–26And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
- Rom 5:2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
- 2 Cor 4:5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- Matt 23:8–10But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
- Matt 24:49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
- Rom 11:20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
- 1 Cor 3:5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
- 2 Cor 5:7(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
- Eph 6:14–16Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
- Rom 1:12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
- 2 Cor 2:1–3But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
- 1 Pet 5:8–9Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 1:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.