2 Corinthians 5 12

2 Corinthians 5:12 kjv

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.

2 Corinthians 5:12 nkjv

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

2 Corinthians 5:12 niv

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.

2 Corinthians 5:12 esv

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.

2 Corinthians 5:12 nlt

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.

2 Corinthians 5 verses

2 Corinthians 5 12 Meaning

The apostle Paul clarifies that his renewed mention of his ministry and spiritual standing is not for his own self-commendation, but rather to equip the Corinthian believers. He provides them with legitimate reasons to take pride in his authentic ministry. This enablement allows them to effectively respond to critics and false teachers who boast based on superficial external displays and outward appearances, lacking true spiritual character or pure motives of the heart.

2 Corinthians 5 12 Context

Chapter 5 of 2 Corinthians is pivotal in Paul's defense of his apostolic ministry and his exploration of the believer's future hope and present mission. He moves from discussing the transient nature of the earthly body (v. 1-10), emphasizing that believers "walk by faith, not by sight" (v. 7), to standing before Christ's judgment seat (v. 10). Verse 11 introduces the "terror of the Lord," which motivates Paul to persuade people and makes his life transparent to God and the Corinthians. This leads directly into verse 12, where he assures them that his earnest appeal is not self-promotion but an empowering tool for them. Throughout this section, Paul contrasts genuine, Spirit-led ministry—often characterized by weakness, suffering, and sincerity—with the false boasting and outward show of his opponents, commonly referred to as "super-apostles" or false teachers, who valued rhetorical skill, worldly status, and Jewish credentials. This verse specifically addresses the Corinthians' need for solid grounds to defend the true Gospel and Paul's genuine ministry against those who sought to undermine it.

2 Corinthians 5 12 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): This conjunction serves to connect the verse to the preceding thoughts, particularly Paul's transparency before God and people, and his earnest desire to persuade them (2 Cor 5:11). It indicates a reason or an explanation for his continued openness.
• we are not commending (οὐ πάλιν ἑαυτοὺς συνιστάνομεν - ou palin heautous sunistanomen): Paul states his negative intent directly.
  • οὐ (ou): The negative particle, "not."
  • πάλιν (palin): "Again." This refers back to 2 Cor 3:1, where Paul defensively, and perhaps somewhat reluctantly, commended himself. Here, he assures them his motive is different this time; it's not a re-run of a self-serving appeal.
  • ἑαυτοὺς (heautous): "Ourselves." Paul consistently shifts the focus from himself to God and to the spiritual benefit of the believers.
  • συνιστάνομεν (sunistanomen): "We commend/present/introduce." From sunistemi, meaning to set with, to stand with, hence to introduce or to approve. Paul refrains from self-endorsement purely for his own advantage.
• unto you (ὑμῖν - hymin): The immediate audience, the Corinthian believers, indicating his direct concern for their welfare and spiritual understanding.
• but (ἀλλ’ - all’): A strong adversative conjunction, highlighting a direct contrast between his non-self-commendation and his actual purpose.
• give you occasion (ἀφορμὴν διδόντες - aphormēn didontes): Paul actively provides them with a means or reason.
  • ἀφορμὴν (aphormēn): "Occasion," "opportunity," "starting point," or "foothold." This suggests a strategic advantage or ammunition given to them for debate. It's a military term, referring to a base of operations or a logistical supply point. Paul is supplying them with a basis for argument.
  • διδόντες (didontes): "Giving." An active and intentional offering on Paul's part.
• to glory on our behalf (καυχήματος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν - kauchēmatos hyper hēmōn):
  • καυχήματος (kauchēmatos): "Of boasting," "of glorying," or "of pride." Not boasting in the worldly sense, but having a legitimate, Spirit-honoring confidence in Paul and his ministry. It implies a ground for rightful satisfaction.
  • ὑπὲρ (hyper): "On behalf of" or "concerning." The glorying is not of Paul himself, but rather the Corinthians can rightly speak confidently about Paul and his genuine ministry because of the evidence of God's work through him among them.
• that ye may have somewhat to answer (ἵνα ἔχητε πρὸς - hina echēte pros): This phrase defines the specific purpose of his giving them occasion to boast.
  • ἵνα (hina): "So that," "in order that." A clear teleological (purpose) clause.
  • ἔχητε (echēte): "You may have." Equips them.
  • πρὸς (pros): "Toward," "with respect to." Indicates direction in an encounter or argument.
• them which glory in appearance (τοὺς ἐν προσωπῷ καυχᾶσθαι - tous en prosopō kauchasthai): This pinpoints Paul's opponents.
  • τοὺς (tous): "Those who." Refers to specific individuals or a group.
  • ἐν προσωπῷ (en prosopō): "In appearance," literally "in face." Prosopon refers to the outer person, facade, public image, or external presentation. It critiques a focus on superficial characteristics such as eloquence, impressive credentials, wealth, or worldly status. This highlights the polemic against the false apostles who emphasized external show.
  • καυχᾶσθαι (kauchasthai): "To boast" or "to glory." The same root as kauchēmatos, but used here with a negative connotation due to its object and origin. Their boasting is based on superficialities.
• and not in heart (καὶ μὴ ἐν καρδίᾳ - kai mē en kardia): The direct contrast to the false teachers' method.
  • καὶ (kai): "And."
  • μὴ (mē): "Not." A more subjective negation than ou.
  • ἐν καρδίᾳ (en kardia): "In heart." This signifies genuine character, pure motives, spiritual sincerity, inner truth, and integrity. True ministry springs from the heart. This contrasts sharply with the "appearance" of the false teachers, whose inner motives were likely corrupt or self-serving, despite their outwardly impressive display.

Words-group analysis:

• "For we are not commending ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion...": Paul clarifies his renewed open sharing. His primary motive is not selfish advancement but the edification and protection of the Corinthians. This reflects a consistent pattern of selfless leadership found in Paul's ministry (cf. 2 Cor 12:19, 1 Cor 9:19-23).
• "...to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them...": Paul empowers them with arguments. He implicitly acknowledges that they have been troubled by attacks on his apostleship and gives them valid points to counter these assaults, focusing on the evidence of transformed lives and God's power.
• "...them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.": This forms the central polemic of the verse, encapsulating Paul's ongoing struggle with the false apostles in Corinth. It sets up a foundational biblical distinction: the critical difference between superficial, external religiosity (common in much of ancient pagan and even some Jewish practice) and the genuine, internal spiritual reality of a transformed life and sincere motivation. The false teachers valued what could be seen or heard—eloquent speech, impressive backgrounds, charismatic display—whereas Paul insisted on the unseen qualities of integrity, faithful suffering, and Christ-like character as the marks of true ministry.

2 Corinthians 5 12 Bonus section

Paul's distinction between "appearance" (prosopon) and "heart" (kardia) is a recurring theme in his epistles and throughout Scripture. It directly confronts a common human tendency to value outward display over internal reality. In the Greco-Roman world, rhetoric, public speaking skills, and philosophical cleverness were highly prized, often determining a speaker's influence regardless of the substance of their message. The false teachers likely excelled in these areas, presenting a "stronger" image than Paul, who often appeared physically weak or was not an eloquent speaker by their standards. Paul consistently countered this by emphasizing God's use of weakness and foolishness (by worldly standards) to confound the wise (1 Cor 1:27). The "heart" in biblical theology represents the totality of the inner person: thoughts, desires, motives, will, and conscience. Therefore, to boast "in heart" is to boast in genuine spiritual reality and integrity, whereas boasting "in appearance" is to rely on superficialities. This verse also serves as a critical interpretive lens for understanding many of Paul's challenges in Corinth, which often revolved around discerning true spiritual authority from deceptive imitations.

2 Corinthians 5 12 Commentary

In 2 Corinthians 5:12, Paul, having spoken of his own sincerity and the spiritual power of his ministry, preemptively addresses any suspicion that he might be boasting. He firmly denies any self-serving motive, asserting that his purpose is entirely for the Corinthians' benefit. He desires to provide them with robust arguments and a clear basis to confidently affirm the authenticity of his apostleship and the divine origin of the message he preached. This empowerment is crucial for them to engage with the false teachers infiltrating their community. These "super-apostles" prided themselves on external attributes—eloquence, worldly wisdom, visible status, or perhaps adherence to certain ceremonial practices—which were mere facades. Paul's contrasting criterion, "not in heart," exposes the root issue: these opponents lacked true spiritual integrity, pure motives, and an inner transformation evident in genuine Christian character. Paul's genuine ministry was proven not by impressive external show, but by his conduct, suffering, and the transforming power of the Gospel in their lives, stemming from a pure heart (e.g., integrity, transparency, love for God and them). Thus, the verse calls believers to discern between outward pomp and inward purity when evaluating spiritual leadership.

Example: A congregation might be impressed by a new preacher's captivating rhetoric and expansive claims, but fail to examine his consistent character, commitment to sacrificial service, or the true fruit of the Spirit in his daily life—qualities stemming from the heart.