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2 Corinthians 12:15

Love for othersGenerosityServing others

13 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.

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.

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be 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 unto 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

    So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

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  • 2 Corinthians 1:6

    And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

    Read in context

  • Philippians 2:17

    Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

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  • Colossians 1:24

    Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

    Read in context

  • 2 Timothy 2:10

    Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 2:3

    And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 6:12–13

    Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

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  • Hebrews 13:17

    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

    Read in context