2 Corinthians 5:12

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.

¹¹ Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.

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.

¹³ If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.

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: 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.
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.
WEB: For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
ASV: We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but [speak] as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart.
DARBY: [For] we do not again commend ourselves to you, but [we are] giving to you occasion of boast in our behalf, that ye may have [such] with those boasting in countenance, and not in heart.
BLB: We do not commend ourselves to you⁺ again, but are giving to you⁺ occasion of boasting on behalf of us, so that you⁺ may have [something] toward those boasting in appearance and not in heart.

ÅB: Vi gir oss nå ikke igjen skussmål for dere; men vi gir dere leilighet til å rose dere av oss, for at dere kan ha noe å sette imot dem som roser seg av det de er i det utvortes og ikke i hjertet.
OTB: Vi anbefaler ikke oss selv til dere igjen, men gir dere en mulighet til å være stolte av oss, slik at dere har et svar for dem som tar stolthet i ytre utseende og ikke i hjertet.
B1930: Vi gir oss nu ikke atter skussmål for eder; men vi gir eder leilighet til å rose eder av oss, forat I kan ha noget å sette imot dem som roser sig av det de er i det utvortes og ikke i hjertet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

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
2 Corinthians 1:14
as you have already understood us in part, so that you may boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of our Lord Jesus.
Read in context
Galatians 6:12–14
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 11:12–16
But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 10:18
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
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
2 Corinthians 6:4
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
Read in context
2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
Read in context