2 Corinthians 12 · Verse 19

2 Corinthians 12:19

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.
2 Corinthians 12:19, King James Version

2 Corinthians 12:19 in other translations

BSBHave 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.
WEBAgain, 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.
ASVYe 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.
YLTAgain, think ye that to you we are making defence? before God in Christ do we speak; and the all things, beloved, are for your up-building,
DARBYYe have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.
BBEIt may seem to you that all this time we have been attempting to put ourselves in the right; but we are saying these things before God in Christ. For all things, dear brothers, are for your profit.
WebsterAgain, think ye that we excuse ourselves to you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edification.

What does 2 Corinthians 12:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. Again--The oldest manuscripts read, "This long time ye think that we are excusing ourselves unto you? (Nay). It is before God (as opposed to 'unto you') that we speak in Christ" (2Co 2:17). English Version Greek text was a correction from 2Co 3:1; 5:12.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 19. Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? 2Cor 5:12. The sense is, do not suppose that this is said from mere anxiety to obtain your favour, or to ingratiate ourselves into your esteem. This is said doubtless to keep himself from the suspicion of being actuated by improper motives, he had manifested great solicitude certainly in the previous chapters to vindicate his character; but he here says that it was not from a mere desire to show them that his conduct was right; it was from a desire to honour Christ.

We speak before God in Christ. We declare the simple and undisguised truth as in the presence of God. I have no mere desire to palliate my conduct; I disguise nothing; I conceal nothing; I say nothing for the mere purpose of self-vindication; but I can appeal to the Searcher of hearts for the exact truth of all that I say. The phrase "before God in Christ" means, probably, "I speak as in the presence of God and as a follower of Christ, as a Christian man." It is the solemn appeal of a Christian to his God for the truth of what he said, and a solemn asseveration that what he said was not for the mere purpose of excusing or apologizing for (Greek) his conduct.

But we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. All that I have done has been for your welfare. My vindication of my character, and my effort to disabuse you of your prejudices, have been that you might have unwavering confidence in the gospel, and might be built up in holy faith. On the word edify, Rom 14:19, 1Cor 8:1; 1Cor 10:23.

(*) "excuse" "defend" (c) "ourselves" 2Cor 5:12

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 Think ye that we excuse ourselves - Απολογουμεθα; That we make an apology for our conduct; or, that I have sent Titus and that brother to you because I was ashamed or afraid to come myself? We speak before God in Christ - I have not done so; I speak the truth before God; he is judge whether I was actuated in this way by any sinister or unworthy motive. For your edifying - Whatever I have done in this or any other way, I have done for your edifying; not for any emolument to myself or friends.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

We owe it to good men, to stand up in the defence of their reputation; and we are under special obligations to those from whom we have received benefit, especially spiritual benefit, to own them as instruments in God's hand of good to us. Here is an account of the apostle's behaviour and kind intentions; in which see the character of a faithful minister of the gospel. This was his great aim and design, to do good…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 →

2 Corinthians 12:19 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠάλαιPalaiPreviouslyG3819
δοκεῖτεdokeiteyou have been thinkingG1380
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ὑμῖνhuminto youG4771
ἀπολογούμεθα.apologoumethawe are presenting a defense.G626
κατέναντιkatenantibeforeG2713
θεοῦtheouGodG2316
ἐνeninG1722
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
λαλοῦμεν.laloumenwe speak.G2980
τὰta<the>G3588
δὲdebutG1161
πάντα,pantaall things,G3956
ἀγαπητοί,agapētoibeloved,G27
ὑπὲρhuperforG5228
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
ὑμῶνhumōnyourG4771
οἰκοδομῆς.oikodomēsedification.G3619

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 12:19

  • Romans 9:1

    I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

  • 1 Corinthians 14:26

    How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:8

    For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

  • 1 Corinthians 10:14

    Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

  • Philippians 4:1

    Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:1

    Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

  • Romans 12:19

    Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:12-13

    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. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:10

    As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:12-23

    If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. …

  • 1 Corinthians 10:33

    Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:31

    The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
think.
3:1; 5:12
we speak.
11:10,31; Ro 9:1
but.
5:13; 10:8; 13:10; 1Co 9:12-23; 10:33; 14:26
dearly.
15; 7:1; Ro 12:19; 1Co 10:14; Php 4:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 12:18

    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?

  • 2 Corinthians 12:19

    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.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:20

    For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

Read all of 2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿Pensáis aún que nos excusamos con vosotros? Delante de Dios en Cristo hablamos: mas todo, muy amados, por vuestra edificación.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Vous avez longtemps pensé que nous nous justifions auprès de vous. Nous parlons devant Dieu en Christ, et toutes choses, bien-aimés, pour votre édification.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ihr seid lange der Meinung gewesen, daß wir uns vor euch verantworten. Wir reden vor Gott in Christo, alles aber, Geliebte, zu eurer Auferbauung.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Olim putatis quod excusemus nos apud vos? coram Deo in Christo loquimur: omnia autem, carissimi, propter ædificationem vestram.