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Bible >2 Corinthians >Chapter 5 > Verse 12

◄ 2 Corinthians 5:12►

New International Version
We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

New Living Translation
Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.

English Standard Version
We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving to you occasion of boasting on behalf of us, so that you may havean answer toward those boasting in appearance, and not inthe heart.

King James Bible
For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat toanswer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

New King James Version
For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may havean answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

New American Standard Bible
We are not commending ourselves to you again, butare giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will havean answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

NASB 1995
We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

NASB 1977
We are not again commending ourselves to you butare giving you an occasion to be proud of us, that you may havean answer for those who take pride in appearance, and not in heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
We are not again commending ourselves to you butare giving you an opportunity to boast of us, so that you will havean answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

Amplified Bible
We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an occasion to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you will havean answer for those who take pride in [outward] appearances [the virtues they pretend to have] rather than what is [actually] in heart.

Christian Standard Bible
We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance rather than in the heart.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
We are not trying once more to brag about ourselves. But we want you to be proud of us, when you are with those who are not sincere and brag about what others think of them.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We are not trying to show you our qualifications again, but we are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us. Then you can answer those who are proud of their appearance rather than their character.

Good News Translation
We are not trying again to recommend ourselves to you; rather, we are trying to give you a good reason to be proud of us, so that you will be able to answer those who boast about people's appearance and not about their character.

International Standard Version
We are not recommending ourselves to you again but are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who are proud of outward things rather than inward character.

NET Bible
We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who take pride in outward appearance and not in what is in the heart.

New Heart English Bible
We are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
For we commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

Weymouth New Testament
We are not again commending ourselves to your favour, but are furnishing you with a ground of boasting on our behalf, so that you may have a reply ready for those with whom superficial appearances are everything and sincerity of heart counts for nothing.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
For 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.

World English Bible
For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
for we do not again recommend ourselves to you, but we are giving occasion to you of glorifying in our behalf, that you may have [something] in reference to those glorifying in face and not in heart;

Berean Literal Bible
We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving to you occasion of boasting on behalf of us, so that you may havean answer toward those boasting in appearance, and not inthe heart.

Young's Literal Translation
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 something in reference to those glorifying in face and not in heart;

Smith's Literal Translation
For not again do we recommend ourselves to you, but giving you occasion for boasting over us, that ye might have for them boasting in face, and not in heart.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
We 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
We are not commending ourselves again to you, but rather we are presenting you with an opportunity to glory because of us, when you deal with those who glory in face, and not in heart.

New American Bible
We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you an opportunity to boast of us, so that you may have something to say to those who boast of external appearance rather than of the heart.

New Revised Standard Version
We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
We are not boasting of ourselves to you, but we give you occasion to be proud of us, before those who glory as hypocrites but who are not sincere in heart.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
We do not praise ourselves again before you, but we give you an occasion that you may boast of us in the presence of those who are boasting in appearance and not in the heart.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
We do not again commend ourselves to you, but give you an occasion to boast of us, that you may be able to answer those who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

Godbey New Testament
We are not commending ourselves to you, but giving you occasion of boasting in our behalf, in order that you may have response to those who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

Haweis New Testament
For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have an answer for those who glory in countenance, and not in heart.

Mace New Testament
and this I say, not to commend myself again unto you, but to give you an occasion of glorying on my account, that you may confront those who make a false show of glorying.

Weymouth New Testament
We are not again commending ourselves to your favour, but are furnishing you with a ground of boasting on our behalf, so that you may have a reply ready for those with whom superficial appearances are everything and sincerity of heart counts for nothing.

Worrell New Testament
We are not again commending ourselves to you, but giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may havesomething suited to those who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

Worsley New Testament
for we are not again recommending ourselves to you, but giving you an occasion of glorying on our account; that ye may havesomewhat to answer those who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Ambassadors for Christ
11Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.12 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.13If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 6:1
“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Galatians 6:13
For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

1 Corinthians 1:31
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

1 Corinthians 5:6
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough?

1 Corinthians 9:15-16
But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast. / Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

2 Corinthians 1:14
as you have already understood us in part, that you may boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of our Lord Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:1
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?

2 Corinthians 10:12
We 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 10:17-18
Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” / For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 11:12
But 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.

Philippians 3:3-4
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— / though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Philippians 3:18-19
For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. / Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

Treasury of Scripture

For we commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

we.

2 Corinthians 3:1
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as someothers, epistles of commendation to you, orletters of commendation from you?

2 Corinthians 6:4
But in allthings approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

2 Corinthians 10:8,12,18
For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: …

give.

2 Corinthians 1:14
As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye alsoare ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2 Corinthians 11:12-16
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we…

2 Corinthians 12:1-9
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord…

appearance.

Galatians 6:12-14
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ…

Jump to Previous

Able Appearance Appearances Approval Behalf Boast Boasting Cause Chance Commend Commending Favour Furnishing Glory Glorying Ground Heart Occasion Opportunity Ourselves Position Ready Requesting Seeming Sincerity Something Somewhat Speak Superficial Themselves

Jump to Next

2 Corinthians 5

1.That in his assured hope of immortal glory,
9.and in expectation of it, he labors to keep a good conscience;
12.not that he may boast of himself,
14.but as one that, having received life from Christ,
17.endeavors to live as a new creature to Christ only,
18.and by his ministry of reconciliation, to reconcile others also in Christ to God.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

We are not commending ourselves to you again.
Paul emphasizes that he is not seeking to boast or re-establish his credentials with the Corinthians. This reflects his earlier defense of his apostleship in2 Corinthians 3:1-3, where he argues that the Corinthians themselves are his letter of recommendation. The context here is Paul's ongoing struggle with false apostles who questioned his authority and sought to undermine his ministry.

Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us,
Paul desires that the Corinthians have a reason to take pride in his ministry, not for his own sake, but so they can confidently support his genuine apostolic work. This reflects the mutual relationship between Paul and the church, where their spiritual growth and understanding are intertwined with his ministry. It also connects to1 Corinthians 9:15-18, where Paul discusses his rights as an apostle and his choice to preach the gospel without charge.

so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
Paul contrasts the superficial judgments of his opponents with the true, heart-based evaluation that God desires. This echoes1 Samuel 16:7, where God tells Samuel that He looks at the heart rather than outward appearances. The false apostles likely emphasized external credentials and eloquence, which Paul counters by highlighting the importance of sincerity and inner transformation, as seen in2 Corinthians 4:16-18. This also aligns with Jesus' teachings inMatthew 23, where He criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on outward appearances.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Paul the Apostle
The author of 2 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth. He is defending his ministry and the sincerity of his apostleship.

2.Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral challenges. The church in Corinth faced various issues, including divisions and false teachings.

3.False Apostles
Individuals in Corinth who questioned Paul's authority and boasted in outward appearances rather than genuine faith and character.

Teaching Points

Authentic Ministry
Paul emphasizes the importance of authenticity in ministry. True commendation comes from God and is based on the heart, not external appearances.

Discernment in Leadership
Believers should discern the character and motives of their leaders. True leaders are those who prioritize inner transformation over outward show.

Pride in the Right Things
It is appropriate to take pride in what God is doing in and through us, rather than in superficial achievements or appearances.

Defense of the Faith
Christians should be prepared to defend their faith and the integrity of their leaders against those who value appearances over substance.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 5

Who were the super-apostles in early Christianity?

What holidays are celebrated in Christianity?

How does James 4:2-3 reconcile the promise of answered prayer with the many unanswered prayers observed in reality?

What does 'caught up to the third heaven' mean?

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12)For we commend not ourselves againunto you.--The better MSS. omit "For," which may have been inserted for the sake of an apparent sequence of thought. In reality, however, what follows is more intelligible without it. He has scarcely uttered the words that precede this sentence when the poison of the barbed arrow of the sneer to which he had referred in2Corinthians 3:1 again stings him. He hears his enemies saying, "So he is commending himself again;" and these words are the answer to that taunt. "No," he says, "it is not so, but in appealing to the witness of the work done in your consciences we give you an 'occasion' (orstarting-point) of a boast which we take for granted that you, the great body of the Church of Corinth, will be ready to make for us."

That ye may have somewhat to answer.--The opponents, of whom we are to hear more hereafter (see Notes on2Corinthians 10:7-18;2Corinthians 11:12-33), rise up once more in his thoughts. "That such as these should be boasting oftheir work andtheir success!" What did they glory in?In appearance. The words may apply to anything external--claims of authority, training, knowledge, and the like. The use of the word, however, in2Corinthians 10:1 seems to imply a more definite meaning. Men contrasted what we should call the dignified "presence" of his rivals with his personal defects, the weakness of his body, the lowness of his stature. "Take your stand," he seems to say, "against that boast, on the work done by us in your consciences."

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. -For we commend not ourselves again unto you. Still reverting to the charge that he was guilty of self praise, he says that his object is not this, for it was needless (2 Corinthians 3:2, 3).But give you occasion to glory on our behalf. But we speak as we have done to give you a starling-point for something to boast of on our behalf. He has already said (2 Corinthians 1:4) that the teachers and the taught in their mutual affection ought to have some ground for "boasting" (i.e. for speaking with some praise and exultation) of each other. The Corinthians were being robbed of this by the interested lies of St. Paul's opponents, who thought only about outward appearances. This is why no has set forth to them the aim and glory of his ministry. Nothing could be more gentle and forbearing than such a mode of stating his object. Yet for those who were sufficiently finely strung to understand it, there was an almost pathetic irony involved in it.Which glory in appearance, and not in heart; literally,in face. The grounds of their boasting, whatever they were, were superficial and external (2 Corinthians 10:7), not deep and sincere. But those who would judge of Paul aright must look into his very heart, and not on his face.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

We are not commending
συνιστάνομεν(synistanomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4921:To place together, commend, prove, exhibit; instrans: I stand with; To be composed of, cohere.

ourselves
ἑαυτοὺς(heautous)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438:Himself, herself, itself.

to you
ὑμῖν(hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

again.
πάλιν(palin)
Adverb
Strong's 3825:Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.

Instead,
ἀλλὰ(alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

we are giving
διδόντες(didontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1325:To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

you
ὑμῖν(hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

an occasion
ἀφορμὴν(aphormēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 874:From a compound of apo and hormao; a starting-point, i.e. an opportunity.

to be proud
καυχήματος(kauchēmatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2745:A boasting; a ground of boasting (glorying, exultation). From kauchaomai; a boast in a good or a bad sense.

of
ὑπὲρ(hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228:Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

us,
ἡμῶν(hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

so that
ἵνα(hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

you can answer
ἔχητε(echēte)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

those who
τοὺς(tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

take pride
καυχωμένους(kauchōmenous)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2744:To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt.

in
ἐν(en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

appearances
προσώπῳ(prosōpō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4383:From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.

[rather than]
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

in
ἐν(en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] heart.
καρδίᾳ(kardia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588:Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.

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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 5:12 For we are not commending ourselves (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)