2 Corinthians 12:18 kjv
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
2 Corinthians 12:18 nkjv
I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
2 Corinthians 12:18 niv
I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?
2 Corinthians 12:18 esv
I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?
2 Corinthians 12:18 nlt
When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other's steps, doing things the same way.
2 Corinthians 12 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 12:17 | "Did I take advantage of you through any of the messengers I sent to you?" | Close relation to previous verse |
| Phil 2:21 | "For they all seek their own interests, not the interests of Christ Jesus." | Contrasts with Paul’s selfless concern |
| 1 Thess 2:5-6 | "For we never came with words of flattery, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness. Nor did we seek glory from man, whether from you or from others," | Echoes Paul's self-disinterestedness |
| Acts 20:33-35 | "I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" | Illustrates Paul’s conduct |
| 1 Cor 9:18 | "What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may make the gospel free charge, not making full use of my right in the gospel." | Further demonstration of selflessness |
| 2 Cor 11:10 | "As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia." | Emphasizes sincerity |
| Gal 4:19 | "my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!" | Shows fatherly love |
| 1 John 3:16 | "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." | Demonstrates genuine love |
| Phil 1:8 | "For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with affection of Christ Jesus." | Expression of deep affection |
| 2 Cor 7:13 | "Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced even more greatly at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all." | Titus’s refreshed spirit |
| 2 Cor 8:8 | "I say this not as a command, but to prove by the zeal of others that your love also is genuine." | Proof of genuine love |
| Rom 15:27 | "They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be the means by which they share in ministering to them." | Principle of reciprocal blessing |
| 1 Cor 4:15-16 | "For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me." | Paul as spiritual father |
| 2 Cor 5:19-20 | "that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." | Paul’s ministry’s nature |
| Eph 3:8 | "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." | Humility in service |
| 1 Cor 1:27-28 | "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, but God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, and what is low and despised God chose, what is nothing, to bring to nothing the things that are," | God’s choice of the weak |
| Phil 4:17 | "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your account." | Focus on spiritual fruit |
| 2 Cor 8:7 | "But as you excel in everything, in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you, see that you excel in this grace also." | Encouraging growth |
| Col 1:28 | "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." | Goal of ministry |
| John 21:15 | "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."" | Charge to care for others |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 18 Meaning
This verse expresses Paul's rhetorical question, highlighting his concern that Titus, whom he sent to Corinth, had benefited from or gained something from the Corinthians. It reveals Paul's fatherly affection and deep concern for the spiritual well-being and practical needs of the believers in Corinth.
2 Corinthians 12 18 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 12 continues Paul’s defense of his apostolic authority and ministry, particularly in response to critics in Corinth who questioned his legitimacy. Paul recounts his vision of paradise and a “thorn in the flesh” given to keep him from conceit. In this final part of the chapter, Paul addresses the potential accusations that he, or those he sent (like Titus), had exploited the Corinthians financially. He uses a series of rhetorical questions to deny any self-serving motives and emphasizes his genuine fatherly concern for their spiritual welfare and their eagerness to participate in the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. The immediate context is Paul’s anticipation of his next visit to Corinth, wanting to avoid any misunderstanding or cause for sorrow, and instead foster genuine joy and reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 12 18 Word Analysis
- "Did": Interrogative particle. Introduces a question seeking a yes or no answer.
- "I": First-person singular pronoun. Refers to the apostle Paul.
- "gain" / "profit": Greek: ὠφελέω (ōpheleō). Means to be of advantage, benefit, or to get gain. Here it implies financial or personal advantage.
- "of": Preposition indicating possession or origin.
- "you": Second-person plural pronoun. Refers to the believers in Corinth.
- "by": Preposition indicating agency or means.
- "any": Indefinite pronoun. Referring to any person, no matter how insignificant.
- "of": Preposition.
- "them": Third-person plural pronoun. Refers to those whom Paul sent.
- "whom": Relative pronoun. Introducing the subordinate clause.
- "I": First-person singular pronoun. Paul.
- "sent": Greek: πέμπω (pempo). To dispatch, send forth.
- "unto": Preposition indicating direction or purpose.
- "you": Second-person plural pronoun. The Corinthians.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Did I gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?": This phrase is a direct and strong denial of exploitation. Paul asserts that none of the messengers he sent (implied to be Titus and possibly others like Timothy) sought financial advantage from the Corinthians on his behalf. It's a defensive statement aimed at preempting accusations of greed or self-interest.
2 Corinthians 12 18 Bonus Section
The underlying concern Paul addresses here is the potential for hypocrisy in ministry. Accusations of financial impropriety were common and could easily undermine the credibility of the apostolic message. By asking this question, Paul is both assuring the Corinthians of his and his associates' probity and also implicitly reminding them of the purity required in all those who represent Christ. The reference to "them whom I sent" likely includes Titus, whom Paul had specifically dispatched to the Corinthians, and for whom he had great confidence and affection. This reinforces the theme of brotherhood and mutual reliance within the early church's leadership.
2 Corinthians 12 18 Commentary
Paul’s rhetorical question is a powerful testament to his integrity and genuine care for the Corinthian church. He operates on the principle of selfless love, similar to how Christ served without personal gain (Phil 2:7). Paul’s apostolic work was motivated by a desire for their spiritual growth and a longing to see them flourish in their faith and love. He aimed not to be a financial burden but to be a spiritual father who poured himself out for them. His concern is that if any of his representatives acted differently, it would reflect poorly on him and, more importantly, hinder the Gospel. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining financial integrity and spiritual purity in ministry.