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;
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,
- KJV 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:
- 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;
- 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 8:6So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.
- 2 Cor 9:4–5so that I won’t by any means, if anyone from Macedonia comes there with me and finds you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.
- 1 Cor 16:1–4Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.
- 2 Cor 7:14For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.
- Titus 3:1Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
- 2 Cor 8:17–24For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.
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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