2 Corinthians 5:12
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.”
A short, plain-language explanation of 2 Corinthians 5:12 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.
“We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.”
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)“For 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.”
King James Version · Public Domain“We 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.”
American Standard Version · Public Domain“for 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;”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainOther passages that echo 2 Corinthians 5:12 — 11 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 27:2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— a stranger, and not your own lips.
- 2 Corinthians 1:14as you have already understood us in part, so that you may boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of our Lord Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
- 2 Corinthians 6:4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
- 2 Corinthians 10:8For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
- 2 Corinthians 10:12We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
- 2 Corinthians 11:12But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
- Galatians 6:12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).