2 Corinthians 12:13 kjv
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
2 Corinthians 12:13 nkjv
For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
2 Corinthians 12:13 niv
How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
2 Corinthians 12:13 esv
For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
2 Corinthians 12:13 nlt
The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
2 Corinthians 12 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 11:9 | ... and when I was present with you, and in need, I was not burdensome to any of you... | Personal example of self-denial for the sake of others. |
| Phil 4:17 | Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. | Similar sentiment of seeking spiritual fruit rather than material gifts. |
| 1 Thess 2:9 | For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be burdensome to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. | Paul's emphasis on self-sufficiency in ministry to avoid burdening the church. |
| Gal 6:6 | Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. | The principle of supporting spiritual workers, which Paul here declines for their sake. |
| 1 Cor 9:12 | If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not still more? Yet we have not used this right, but endure all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. | Paul's deliberate relinquishment of his right to support to protect the gospel. |
| Acts 20:33-34 | "I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Indeed, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities and for those who are with me." | Paul's personal testimony of working to meet his own needs. |
| John 15:12 | "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." | The core principle of sacrificial love guiding ministry. |
| 1 Cor 13:4-7 | "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." | The characteristics of love that motivated Paul. |
| 2 Cor 1:12 | For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with holiness and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God. | Paul's consistent claim of integrity and godly motive in his ministry. |
| 2 Cor 8:8 | I speak not by way of commandment, but as in sincerity of others, I also test the sincerity of your love. | Connecting the Corinthians' love to their practical actions, similar to his self-denial. |
| Rom 15:27 | Yes, they were pleased to do so, and indeed they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in material things. | The mutual obligations in spiritual and material blessings within the body of Christ. |
| 1 Tim 5:17 | Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. | The established principle of support for ministers, which Paul here gracefully sets aside. |
| Acts 18:3 | And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for they were tentmakers by trade. | Paul's practical work ethic in Corinth. |
| Matt 10:10 | nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staff; for a worker is worthy of his food. | Jesus' instruction to disciples regarding provision during ministry. |
| 1 Cor 4:1-2 | Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. | The ultimate responsibility of stewards to Christ. |
| 2 Cor 10:15-16 | ...not boasting of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us, a measure to reach even you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you, since we were the first to come to you with the gospel of Christ... | Paul's reasoning for his ministry extending to Corinth and his boundaries of boasting. |
| Eph 4:1 | I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called... | The call to live consistently with one's faith. |
| 1 Pet 5:2-3 | shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor by exercising lordship over those entrusted to you, but becoming examples to the flock. | The model for ministerial leadership. |
| Rom 1:14 | I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. | Paul's sense of obligation to all people for the gospel. |
| 1 Cor 7:33-34 | But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried man cares about the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. | Paul's focus on pleasing the Lord, which underpins his ministry priorities. |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 13 Meaning
This verse signifies that despite Paul's reluctance to burden the Corinthians, his true motive was genuine love for them, seeking their spiritual welfare and growth. He affirms that he will not seek financial support from them, but rather their spiritual abundance. The principle is that true ministry is motivated by love and seeks the best for the flock, not personal gain.
2 Corinthians 12 13 Context
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul is addressing challenges to his apostolic authority by opposing Judaizers or false apostles within the Corinthian church. He has been recounting his own sufferings and weaknesses for Christ, including a "thorn in the flesh" (12:7), to demonstrate that his power is perfected in weakness and that his ministry is genuinely from God, not self-appointed or boastful. This specific verse (12:13) follows his self-deprecating comparisons to the false apostles and his declaration of love for the Corinthians, despite their perceived shortcomings and his own struggles. The Corinthian church had faced issues of division, immorality, and questioning of apostolic credentials. Paul's words here aim to correct their understanding of true spiritual leadership and to reaffirm his pure motives in ministry. He had previously supported himself while ministering to them (Acts 18:3), choosing not to be a financial burden.
2 Corinthians 12 13 Word Analysis
- Orphanos (ὀρφανός - orphanos): This Greek word means "orphan." In this context, it signifies a state of being left without fatherly care or support. Paul’s assertion of not being an "orphan" among them points to his feeling of being unjustly deprived of the legitimate support and respect due to a spiritual father, while simultaneously assuring them he did not treat them as such or act in a way that suggested he was neglected. It underscores his dedication to them as his spiritual children.
- Etērēsa (ἐτήρησα - etērēsa): From the verb tēreō (τηρέω), meaning "to keep, guard, preserve, remain, wait for." Here, it implies Paul refrained from demanding or collecting the financial support that was rightfully his, choosing instead to "guard" against becoming a burden. He did not exercise this right; he held back from it.
- Kathekthen (κατεσχέθην - kateschethēn): A passive form of katechō (κατέχω), meaning "to hold fast, retain, restrain, possess." This verb suggests that Paul restrained himself from using his legal or established right to financial support from the Corinthians. He kept it under control or did not permit it to be exercised towards them.
- All' ē eklekyomai (ἀλλ’ ἢ ἐκλέκυμαι - all’ ē eklekyomai): "But lest I be wronged" or "but that I might not be put to shame." While commonly translated as "burdened," a stronger underlying sense is that of being made to feel like a cause for shame or distress, or being 'exploited' as a burden. Another perspective derived from the Septuagint usage of the root suggests he avoided being "deceived" or "hindered." His primary aim was not to be a burden in the sense of being a weight, but perhaps more importantly, to prevent their spiritual state from becoming one where they could be a burden to God's standards, or where his continued ministry might be hindered by their spiritual immaturity, leading to his own ministry appearing ineffective or a cause for their shame.
- Agapō (ἀγαπῶ - agapō): The Greek word for love, referring to selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love, distinct from mere affection or liking. Paul’s statement emphasizes that his love for them was genuine and motivated his self-denial.
- Perissōteron (περισσοτέρως - perissoterōs): "More abundantly" or "exceedingly." This adverb modifies "love," indicating that his love was exceptionally great, and that this abundant love was the reason for his actions.
- Peloulai (πεσούλαι - peloulai): This verb has a more specific sense here, implying they would fall into the habit of receiving financial support from him, or perhaps it refers to their eventual state of spiritual maturity (which Paul was building towards), that they would not be in a position to be weakened by accepting it. It is about their potential reception of it, or Paul’s care for their spiritual position. Some interpret it as "despoiled" or "ruined" if he acted differently.
Phrase/Group Analysis:
- "Though I am an orphan, I did not hold you back": This is an idiomatic expression meaning Paul did not act like someone who was neglected or had his rights denied, by subsequently imposing himself on them financially. He chose not to leverage a potential sense of entitlement for financial gain.
- "I will not be a burden": This isn't just about financial weight. It's about spiritual "weightiness" or hindering their spiritual progress. His primary concern was their spiritual health and readiness to receive the Gospel fully.
- "I will spend and be spent for your souls": This is a powerful metaphor. "Spend" (dapanēsomai - δαπανήσομαι) implies expending resources, even life itself. "Be spent" (expended for yourselves, perisseuxō - περισσεύξω) implies being completely used up, poured out, consumed entirely for their sake, similar to an offering. Paul saw their souls as worth his ultimate sacrifice.
2 Corinthians 12 13 Bonus Section
The phrase "I will spend and be spent for your souls" is a powerful and perhaps deliberate repetition or elaboration of an idea he introduced earlier, where he said he did not "hold you back" (i.e., make them a burden). His love for them was so profound that it compelled him to not only not be a burden but to become an abundant giver, pouring himself out until he was entirely depleted for their spiritual welfare. This active, self-sacrificing aspect of love is central to the Gospel and is the ultimate testament to apostolic authenticity, distinguishing him from those who sought only material gain. The wording emphasizes a total investment of his entire being for the Corinthians' spiritual salvation and flourishing.
2 Corinthians 12 13 Commentary
Paul's stance in 2 Corinthians 12:13 reveals a profound commitment to the Corinthians' spiritual well-being over his own temporal needs. He prioritized demonstrating genuine love through self-denial, rather than exercising his rights as an apostle for financial support. His motive was not to avoid burdening them literally, but to protect their spiritual growth and integrity, ensuring they were not dependent but mature. He pledged to give generously of himself—his time, energy, and even his life—for the salvation and spiritual abundance of their souls, echoing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ for His church. This is the hallmark of selfless, Christ-like ministry.
Practical Usage:
- Ministers should examine their motives for financial support, ensuring they seek the flock's spiritual good, not personal enrichment.
- Spiritual leaders should be willing to "spend and be spent" for those they lead, making sacrifices for their disciples' spiritual growth.
- The principle of love demands prioritizing the well-being of others, even at personal cost.