2 Corinthians 5:12
What does 2 Corinthians 5:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 5:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 5:12 means
Paul is not trying to boast about himself again. Instead, he gives the Corinthians a reason to take rightful pride in his authentic, heart-deep ministry, so they can answer those who value outward show over inner reality. Some judged by appearances—eloquence, charisma, external credentials—rather than the sincerity God sees. Paul urges the church to discern true service by what springs from a transformed heart, not by surface impressiveness. The verse exposes a perennial temptation in the church and reorients evaluation toward God’s standards. It also subtly defends Paul without self-promotion, inviting the Corinthians to defend what they know of him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949We are not again requesting your approval, but we are giving you the chance of taking pride in us, so that you may be able to give an answer to those whose glory is in seeming, and not in the heart.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for not again ourselves do we recommend to you, but we are giving occasion to you of glorifying in our behalf, that ye may have <FI>something<Fi> in reference to those glorifying in face and not in heart;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752We commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory in our behalf: that you may have somewhat to answer them who glory in face, and not in heart.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[For] we do not again commend ourselves to you, but [we are] giving to you occasion of boast in our behalf, that ye may have [such] with those boasting in countenance, and not in heart.
Context
After asserting integrity before God and appealing to the Corinthians’ consciences (v. 11), Paul clarifies that he is not self-promoting. He equips them to answer critics who “glory in appearance, and not in heart.” Verse 12 thus contrasts genuine, Godward ministry with superficial boasting. Verse 13 will handle how Paul’s behavior might be misread—madness or sobriety—before verses 14–15 reveal the controlling motive: the constraining love of Christ and the purpose of living for Him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 6:12
As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 10:8
For though I should glory somewhat abundantly concerning our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down), I shall not be put to shame:
- 2 Corinthians 11:12
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11
I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
- 2 Corinthians 10:12
For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.
- 2 Corinthians 1:14
as also ye did acknowledge us in part, that we are your glorying, even as ye also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
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