otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to mention you—would be put to shame by this confidence.
Parallel translations
- WEB so 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.
- KJV Lest 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.
- BSB Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
- NKJV lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.
- NLT We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them!
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 fears the embarrassment that would result if Macedonian companions arrived and found the Corinthians unprepared. He acts to spare everyone such shame.
Overview
Should visitors from Macedonia find Corinth unready, both Paul and the Corinthians would be humiliated after all his confident boasting. Rather than risk this, Paul arranges for advance preparation. His concern reflects pastoral wisdom in handling the church's testimony before fellow believers.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 2 Cor 11:17That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
- 2 Cor 9:2for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
- 2 Cor 8:24Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.
- 2 Cor 8:1–5Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;
- Rom 15:26For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.
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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.
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Original language
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