Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
Parallel translations
- WEB Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?
- KJV Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
- NKJV Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?
- NASB Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you?
- NLT Are 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!
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 asks whether he must again commend himself or carry letters of recommendation like others do. He hints that his ministry needs no such external credentials.
Overview
Responding to critics who relied on letters of commendation, Paul questions whether he needs to prove himself that way. The implied answer is no, as the next verses explain. This sets up his point that the changed lives of the Corinthians are his true credentials, written by Christ rather than by human endorsement.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 2 Cor 12:11I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
- 2 Cor 10:12We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
- 2 Cor 5:12We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
- Acts 18:27When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
- 1 Cor 16:3Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
- 2 Cor 10:8For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
- 1 Cor 4:15Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
- 1 Cor 10:33as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.
- 1 Cor 3:10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.
- 2 Cor 2:17For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.
- 2 Cor 12:19Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.
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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 3:1 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
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