For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
Parallel translations
- WEB For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.
- KJV For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
- BSB We 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.
- NASB We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.
- NLT Are 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.
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 is not boasting, but giving the Corinthians grounds to defend his ministry against critics who value outward show. He equips them to answer those who judge by appearances.
Overview
Paul anticipates the accusation of self-commendation and clarifies that he is providing the Corinthians a basis to be proud of him before opponents. Those opponents 'boast in appearance, and not in heart,' valuing external impressiveness over inward reality. Paul appeals instead to the sincerity of heart that God sees.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 2 Cor 3:1Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?
- 2 Cor 1:14as also you acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
- Gal 6:12–14As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
- 2 Cor 11:12–16But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we.
- 2 Cor 10:18For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
- 2 Cor 10:12For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.
- 2 Cor 12:11I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.
- Prov 27:2Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
- 2 Cor 6:4but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
- 2 Cor 10:8For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,
- 2 Cor 12:1–9It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 5:12 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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