2 Corinthians 12:14
What does 2 Corinthians 12:14 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 12:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 12:14 means
Paul announces he is ready for a third visit and again promises not to be a burden. He seeks not their possessions but their persons: “I seek not yours, but you.” He uses a family image—parents lay up for children, not children for parents—to describe his pastoral role. As their spiritual father, his aim is their welfare, not his enrichment. This resolves the meaning of his financial independence: it is an expression of love, not of distance. He will continue to bear costs so they may gain Christ. His priority is their growth and stability, not any material advantage to himself or his team.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This is now the third time that I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a trouble to you: my desire is for you, not for your property: for it is not the children's business to make store for their fathers, but the fathers for the children.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Lo, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Context
Coming off the irony of verse 13, Paul clarifies his intention for the next visit. He reiterates his resolve not to burden them and explains it with parental imagery. This bridges to verse 15’s vow to “spend and be spent” for their souls. The tone shifts from defense to devotion, even as the undercurrent of controversy remains. These verses form the pastoral heart of the chapter’s middle section, which will then address the accusation that Paul used craftiness to exploit them indirectly (verses 16–18).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 4:17
Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account.
- Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that is wise winneth souls.
- Proverbs 19:14
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
- 2 Corinthians 1:15
And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have a second benefit;
- 1 Corinthians 4:14
I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
- Acts 20:33
I coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
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