Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
Parallel translations
- WEB But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
- BSB But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.
- NKJV Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready;
- NASB But I have sent the brothers, in order that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you will be prepared;
- NLT But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you.
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 sends the brothers ahead so his boasting about Corinth will not prove empty, and so they will actually be ready as he claimed. He wants their reputation to be vindicated.
Overview
To protect both his word and their honor, Paul dispatches the delegation in advance to ensure the gift is prepared. His confidence in them must not be embarrassed. This careful planning underscores that good intentions require concrete follow-through to be meaningful.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 2 Cor 8:6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
- 2 Cor 9:4–5Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
- 1 Cor 16:1–4Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
- 2 Cor 7:14For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
- Titus 3:1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
- 2 Cor 8:17–24For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
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 9:3 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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