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Saturday, October 26th, 2024
the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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Webster's Bible Translation

2 Corinthians 12:13

For what is that in which ye were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Minister, Christian;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Suffering;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Disciples;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Burden;   Grace;   Person of Christ;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Collection;   Forgiveness;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Corinth;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Corinthians, Second Epistle to the;   Forgiveness;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
So you received everything that the other churches have received. Only one thing was different: I was not a burden to you. Forgive me for this!
Revised Standard Version
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!
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For what is it wherin ye were inferiors vnto other cogregacions except it be therin that I was not greveous vnto you. Forgeve me this wronge done vnto you.
Hebrew Names Version
For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.
New American Standard Bible
For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
New Century Version
So you received everything that the other churches have received. Only one thing was different: I was not a burden to you. Forgive me for this!
Update Bible Version
For what is there wherein you were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except [it is] that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.
English Standard Version
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!
World English Bible
For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For wherein were ye inferior to the other churches, unless that I myself was not burdensom to you.
Weymouth's New Testament
In what respect, therefore, have you been worse dealt with than other Churches, except that I myself never hung as a dead weight upon you? Forgive the injustice I thus did you!
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And what is it, that ye hadden lesse than othere chirchis, but that Y my silf greuyde you not? Foryyue ye to me this wrong.
English Revised Version
For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except [it be] that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.
Berean Standard Bible
In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Contemporary English Version
You missed out on only one blessing that the other churches received. That is, you didn't have to support me. Forgive me for doing you wrong.
Amplified Bible
For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except [for the fact] that I did not burden you [with my financial support]? Forgive me [for doing you] this injustice!
American Standard Version
For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.
Bible in Basic English
For what is there in which you were made less than the other churches, but in the one thing that I was not a trouble to you? Let me have forgiveness for this wrong.
Complete Jewish Bible
Is there any way in which you have been behind any of the other congregations, other than in my not having been a burden to you? For this unfairness, please forgive me!
Darby Translation
For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.
International Standard Version
How were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for help? Forgive me for this wrong!1 Corinthians 1:7; 9:12; 2 Corinthians 11:7,9;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
For in what have you been less than the other churches, except in this, that I have not burdened you? Forgive me this offence.
Murdock Translation
For in what fell ye short of the other churches; except in this, that I was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this fault.
King James Version (1611)
For what is it wherein yee were inferior to other Churches, except it bee that I my selfe was not burthensome to you? forgiue me this wrong.
New Living Translation
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!
New Life Bible
What makes you feel less important than the other churches? Is it because I did not let you give me food and clothing? Forgive me for this wrong!
New Revised Standard
How have you been worse off than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
Geneva Bible (1587)
For what is it, wherein yee were inferiours vnto other Churches, except that I haue not bene slouthfull to your hinderance? forgiue me this wrong.
George Lamsa Translation
For what do you lack that other churches have, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this fault!
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, - save that, I myself, would not allow myself to be a burden unto you? Forgive me this wrong!
Douay-Rheims Bible
For what is there that you have had less than the other churches but that I myself was not burthensome to you? Pardon me this injury.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For what is it, wherin ye were inferiour vnto other Churches, except [it be] that I was not chargeable vnto you? Forgeue me this wrong.
Good News Translation
How were you treated any worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for financial help? Please forgive me for being so unfair!
Christian Standard Bible®
So in what way are you worse off than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me for this wrong!
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
For in what respect are you made worse off more than the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Literal Translation
For what is it in which you were less than the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.
Young's Literal Translation
for what is there in which ye were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this injustice!
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For what is it, wherin ye are inferiours to the other congregacions? excepte it be yt I haue not bene greuous vnto you.Forgeue me this wroge.
Mace New Testament (1729)
for in what were ye inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? an injury I hope you will easily forgive.
New English Translation
For how were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!
New King James Version
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!
Simplified Cowboy Version
The only thing I didn't give y'all was the opportunity to support me financially. I think this is the only way I've wronged y'all. Please forgive me for not allowing y'all to help me.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Legacy Standard Bible
For in what respect were you treated as less than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Contextual Overview

11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I behind the very greatest apostles, though I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13 For what is that in which ye were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent to you? 18 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? 19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves to you? we speak before God in Christ: but [we do] all things, dearly beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and [that] I shall be found by you such as ye would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I myself: 2 Corinthians 12:14, 2 Corinthians 11:8, 2 Corinthians 11:9, 1 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Corinthians 9:12, 1 Corinthians 9:15-18

forgive: 2 Corinthians 11:7

Reciprocal: Numbers 18:31 - your reward Nehemiah 5:15 - so did Acts 20:35 - how that Romans 12:3 - according 1 Corinthians 1:7 - ye 1 Corinthians 9:18 - when 2 Corinthians 10:2 - we walked 2 Corinthians 12:16 - I did not 1 Thessalonians 2:9 - chargeable 3 John 1:7 - taking

Cross-References

Genesis 11:29
And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife [was] Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 12:5
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went to go forth into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
Genesis 12:6
And Abram passed through the land to the place of Sichem, to the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite [was] then in the land.
Genesis 12:8
And he removed from thence to a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, [having] Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he erected an altar to the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
Genesis 12:12
Therefore it will come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they will say, This [is] his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
Genesis 12:13
Say, I pray thee, thou [art] my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
Genesis 20:2
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, she is my sister: And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
Genesis 20:5
Said he not to me, She [is] my sister? and she, even she herself said, He [is] my brother: in the integrity of my heart, and innocence of my hands have I done this.
Genesis 26:7
And the men of the place asked [him] of his wife; and he said, She [is] my sister: for he feared to say, [She is] my wife; lest, [said he], the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she [was] fair to look upon.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches,.... The apostle here suggests, and appeals to themselves for the truth of it, that in nothing they came short of other churches; that as he was not behind the very chiefest of the apostles, and so they had no reason to be ashamed of him and despise him; neither were they inferior in gifts, grace, and knowledge, to other churches, all which were through his ministry; wherefore they ought to have spoken well of him, and not to have taken the part of the false apostles against him; since all the honour and credit they were in as a church were owing to him as an instrument. The Gospel was first preached to them by an apostle; they were converted under the ministry of an apostle; they were planted and settled as a church by the means of an apostle; and in which respects no church could go beyond them, or boast of more; they had the same Gospel preached to them, and with as much power and purity as other churches; they had received the same Spirit, the same graces, and the same gifts of the Spirit, both ordinary and extraordinary; so that they came behind others in no gift whatever; see 1 Corinthians 1:7, and had the same miraculous works done among them, as were in other places, for the confirmation of the Gospel. There was not one thing the apostle could think of, in which they differed from others, and which he mentions;

except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? because he freely preached the Gospel to them, took no wages of them, but chose rather to work with his own hands, and supply his necessities, than to be troublesome to them; in this, indeed, they differed from other churches, who liberally contributed to their ministers, and honourably maintained them:

forgive me this wrong; not that the apostle seriously desired this, or thought that he had done them any real injury, and so acknowledges it; for if any wrong was done hereby, it was to himself, and not them; but it is an ironical way of speaking, and was a sharp rebuke to them, for their ignorance, ingratitude, and negligence.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For what is it ... - This verse contains a striking mixture of sarcasm and irony, not exceeded, says Bloomfield, by any example in Demosthenes. the sense is,” I have given among you the most ample proof of my apostolic commission. I have conferred on you the highest favors of the apostolic office. In these respects you are superior to all other churches. In one respect only are you inferior - it is in this, that you have not been burdened with the privilege of supporting me. If you had had this, you would have been inferior to no others. But this was owing to me; and I pray that you will forgive me this I might have urged it; I might have claimed it; I might have given you the privilege of becoming equal to the most favored in all respects. But I have not pressed it, and you have not done it, and I ask your pardon.” There is a delicate insinuation that they had not contributed to his needs (see the note, 2 Corinthians 11:8); an intimation that it was a privilege to contribute to the support of the gospel, and that Paul might have been “burdensome to them” (see the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:1-12); and an admission that he was in part to blame for this, and had not in this respect given them an opportunity to equal other churches in all respects.

Was not burdensome to you - see this explained in the notes on 2 Corinthians 10:8.

Forgive me this wrong - “If it be a fault, pardon it. Forgive me that I did not give you this opportunity to be equal to other churches. It is a privilege to contribute to the support of the gospel, and they who are permitted to do it should esteem themselves highly favored. I pray you to pardon me for depriving you of any of your Christian privileges.” What the feelings of the Corinthians were about forgiving Paul for this we know not; but most churches would be as ready to forgive a minister for this as for any other offence.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 12:13. For what is it wherein you were inferior — This is a fine, forcible, yet delicate stroke. It was your duty and your interest to have supported your apostle; other Churches have done so: I did not require this from you; in this respect all other Churches are superior to you. I am the cause of your inferiority, by not giving you an opportunity of ministering to my necessities: forgive me the wrong I have done you. It is the privilege of the Churches of Christ to support the ministry of his Gospel among them. Those who do not contribute their part to the support of the Gospel ministry either care nothing for it, or derive no good from it.


 
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