2 Corinthians 12:19

¹⁷ Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?

¹⁸ I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?

Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.

²⁰ For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

²¹ I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.

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: Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.
KJV: Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
WEB: Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
ASV: Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, [are] for your edifying.
DARBY: Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.
BLB: Do you⁺ think all along that we are making a defense to you⁺? We speak in Christ before God, and all things, beloved, for your⁺ edification.

ÅB: Alt lenge har dere tenkt at det er dere vi forsvarer oss for. Nei, det er for Guds åsyn vi taler i Kristus; men alt er til deres oppbyggelse, mine elskede!
OTB: Hele denne tiden har dere tenkt at vi forsvarer oss overfor dere. I sannhet, det er for Guds åsyn vi har talt i Kristus; og alt for deres oppbyggelse, kjære.
B1930: Alt lenge har I tenkt at det er eder vi forsvarer oss for. Nei, det er for Guds åsyn vi taler i Kristus; men alt er til eders opbyggelse, mine elskede!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Romans 9:1
I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 14:26
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
Read in context
Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 3:1
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
Read in context
Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Read in context
2 Corinthians 5:12–13
We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
Read in context