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2 Corinthians 12:15

Love for othersGenerosityServing others

13 In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?

16 Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.

17 Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
KJV
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
WEB
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
ASV
And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
DARBY
Now *I* shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.
BLB
Now I will spend most gladly, and will be utterly spent for your⁺ souls. If loving you⁺ more abundantly, am I loved less?
ÅB
Men jeg vil med glede ofre, ja bli ofret for deres sjeler, om jeg enn elskes dess mindre av dere jo mere jeg elsker dere.
OTB
Jeg vil med glede bruke og bli brukt for deres sjeler. Hvis jeg elsker dere mer, skal jeg da bli elsket mindre?
B1930
Men jeg vil med glede ofre, ja bli ofret for eders sjeler, om jeg enn elskes dess mindre av eder jo mere jeg elsker eder.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:8

    We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 1:6

    If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience.

    Read in context

  • Philippians 2:17

    But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

    Read in context

  • Colossians 1:24

    Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.

    Read in context

  • 2 Timothy 2:10

    For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 2:3

    I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be saddened by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 6:12–13

    It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained.

    Read in context

  • Hebrews 13:17

    Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

    Read in context