2 Corinthians 12:19
New International Version
Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

New Living Translation
Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you.

English Standard Version
Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
Have you been thinking all along that we have been making a defense to you? We speak in Christ before God, but all things, beloved, for your edification.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

New American Standard Bible
All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for building you up, beloved.

NASB 1995
All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.

NASB 1977
All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.

Legacy Standard Bible
All this time you think we are defending ourselves to you. We speak in Christ in the sight of God. And all these things, beloved, are for your building up.

Amplified Bible
All this time you have been thinking that we are [merely] defending ourselves to you. It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking [as one] in Christ; and everything, dearly beloved, is to strengthen you [spiritually].

Christian Standard Bible
Have you been thinking all along that we were defending ourselves to you? No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You have thought all along that we were defending ourselves to you. No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? Actually, we have been speaking to God as followers of Christ. But, my friends, we did it all for your good.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Have you been thinking all along that we're trying to defend ourselves to you? We speak as Christ's people in God's sight. Everything we do, dear friends, is for your benefit.

Good News Translation
Perhaps you think that all along we have been trying to defend ourselves before you. No! We speak as Christ would have us speak in the presence of God, and everything we do, dear friends, is done to help you.

International Standard Version
Have you been thinking all along that we are trying to defend ourselves before you? We are speaking before God in the authority of the Messiah, and everything, dear friends, is meant to build you up.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.

New Heart English Bible
Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves before you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ; and all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

Webster's Bible Translation
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves to you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edification.

Weymouth New Testament
You are imagining, all this time, that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it is as in God's presence and in communion with Christ that we speak; but, dear friends, it is all with a view to your progress in goodness.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Again, [do] you think that we are making defense to you? We speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, [are] for your up-building,

Berean Literal Bible
Have you been thinking all along that we have been making a defense to you? We speak in Christ before God, but all things, beloved, for your edification.

Young's Literal Translation
Again, 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,

Smith's Literal Translation
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves to you? before God in Christ we speak: and all things, beloved, for your building up.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Of old, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ; but all things, my dearly beloved, for your edification.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Have you ever thought that we should explain ourselves to you? We speak in the sight of God, in Christ. But all things, most beloved, are for your edification.

New American Bible
Have you been thinking all along that we are defending ourselves before you? In the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and all for building you up, beloved.

New Revised Standard Version
Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves before you? We are speaking in Christ before God. Everything we do, beloved, is for the sake of building you up.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Why? Do you still think we are apologizing? No! We speak before God in Christ: and we do all these things, my beloved, for your edification.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Do you again think that we make excuses to you? We speak before God in The Messiah, and all these things, my beloved, are for your edification.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Do you think again that we offer you a defense of ourselves? We speak all these things before God in Christ, beloved, for your edification.

Godbey New Testament
For a long time you were thinking that I am apologizing to you. We speak before God in Christ; but all things, beloved, are for your edification.

Haweis New Testament
Think ye that we are again making an apology to you? In the sight of God speak we in Christ: but all things, beloved, for your edification.

Mace New Testament
do you think I have been making excuses for not coming? as I am a christian, in the presence of God, I have, my beloved, in every thing consulted your advantage.

Weymouth New Testament
You are imagining, all this time, that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it is as in God's presence and in communion with Christ that we speak; but, dear friends, it is all with a view to your progress in goodness.

Worrell New Testament
Think ye all this time that we are excusing ourselves to you? Before God in Christ we are speaking; and all, beloved, for your edification.

Worsley New Testament
Do ye then think that we are making apologies to you? No, we speak before God in Christ: and all, my beloved, for your edification.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Concern for the Corinthians
18I 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? 19Have 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. 20For 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.…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 5:12
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.

2 Corinthians 7:2
Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.

1 Corinthians 10:33
as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.

1 Thessalonians 2:4
Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.

Galatians 1:10
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Romans 14:19
So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Philippians 1:7
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. / To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. / To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. ...

Romans 15:2
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4
I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. / My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 4:12
to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

1 Timothy 1:5
The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

Proverbs 16:2
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

Proverbs 21:2
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.


Treasury of Scripture

Again, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

think.

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?

2 Corinthians 5:12
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.

we speak.

2 Corinthians 11:10,31
As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia…

Romans 9:1
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

but.

2 Corinthians 5:13
For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

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:

2 Corinthians 13:10
Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

dearly.

2 Corinthians 12:15
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

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.

Jump to Previous
Attempting Bar Beloved Building Christ Communion Dear Dearly Defence Defense Edification Edifying Excuse Excusing Friends God's Imagining Making Ourselves Presence Profit Progress Reality Right Seem Sight Speak Strengthening Supposing Think Time View
Jump to Next
Attempting Bar Beloved Building Christ Communion Dear Dearly Defence Defense Edification Edifying Excuse Excusing Friends God's Imagining Making Ourselves Presence Profit Progress Reality Right Seem Sight Speak Strengthening Supposing Think Time View
2 Corinthians 12
1. For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations,
9. yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities;
11. blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting.
14. He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father;
20. although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there.














Have you been thinking all along
This phrase suggests a continuous action or assumption by the Corinthians. The Greek word for "thinking" (δοκεῖτε, dokeite) implies a perception or opinion that the Corinthians might have held persistently. Paul is addressing a misunderstanding, indicating that the Corinthians might have misjudged his intentions. Historically, this reflects the tension between Paul and the Corinthian church, where his motives and authority were often questioned.

that we have been defending ourselves to you?
The word "defending" (ἀπολογούμεθα, apologoumetha) is derived from the Greek word for making a defense or giving an account. This is the same root used in apologetics, the discipline of defending religious doctrines. Paul is clarifying that his purpose is not self-justification. In the historical context, Paul faced criticism and needed to clarify his apostolic authority, but his ultimate goal was not self-defense but something greater.

We speak before God in Christ
This phrase emphasizes the sincerity and divine accountability of Paul's words. "Before God" (ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, enōpion tou Theou) indicates that Paul's speech is not merely human rhetoric but is made in the presence of God, highlighting the seriousness and truthfulness of his message. "In Christ" (ἐν Χριστῷ, en Christō) signifies that Paul's identity and mission are rooted in his relationship with Christ. This reflects the theological foundation of Paul's ministry, where Christ is central to all actions and teachings.

and all of this, beloved
The term "beloved" (ἀγαπητοί, agapētoi) is a term of endearment, showing Paul's deep affection for the Corinthians despite the challenges and misunderstandings. It reflects the Christian principle of love (ἀγάπη, agapē), which is foundational in Paul's teachings. Historically, this term would remind the Corinthians of their shared identity in Christ and the love that should bind them together.

is for your edification
The word "edification" (οἰκοδομήν, oikodomēn) comes from the Greek term for building up or constructing. In a spiritual sense, it refers to the strengthening and growth of the church community. Paul's ultimate goal is not self-promotion but the spiritual growth and maturity of the Corinthians. This aligns with the broader scriptural theme of the church as a body that needs nurturing and development, as seen throughout Paul's epistles.

(19) Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you?--Many of the best MSS. present the reading palai (long ago), instead of palin (again). In this case the sentence is better taken as an assertion, not as a question--"You are thinking, and have been thinking for a long time, that it is to you that we have been making our defence." The Greek verb for "excuse," is that which is always used of a formal apologia, or vindication (Luke 12:11; Luke 21:14; Acts 19:33; Acts 24:10). St. Paul deprecates the idea that he has any wish to enter on such a vindication. He is anxious to explain his conduct, as in 2Corinthians 1:15-24; 2Corinthians 8:20-24; 2Corinthians 11:7-12, but he does not acknowledge that he stands at the bar before their judgment-seat. He speaks, i.e., in the same tone of independence as in 1Corinthians 4:3-5. The motive which really prompts him to speak as he has spoken is not the wish to clear himself from aspersions, but "before God in Christ,"--under a profound sense that God is his Judge, and that Christ is, as it were, the sphere in which his thoughts revolve,--he is seeking to "edify," i.e., to build them up in the faith or love of God. He has the same end in view in all this perturbed emotion as in the calm liturgical directions of 1Corinthians 14:12-26. . . . Verse 19. - Again, think you that we excuse ourselves unto you? The best reading is not palin, again, but palai, long ago. This word with the present is an elegant classical idiom, and means, "You have, perhaps, been imagining all this time that I am pleading with you by way of self-defence. Do not think it! You are no judges of mine. My only object is to speak before God in Christ, not to defend myself since I need no defence so far as you are concerned - but to help in building you up, by removing the falsehoods that alienate you from me."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Have you been thinking
δοκεῖτε (dokeite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.

all along
Πάλαι (Palai)
Adverb
Strong's 3819: Of old, long ago, in times past, former. Probably another form for palin; formerly, or sometime since; ancient.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

we were making a defense
ἀπολογούμεθα (apologoumetha)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 626: To give a defense, defend myself (especially in a law court): it can take an object of what is said in defense.

to you?
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

We speak
λαλοῦμεν (laloumen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

before
κατέναντι (katenanti)
Preposition
Strong's 2713: Opposite, in front (of), over against. From kata and enanti; directly opposite.

God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Christ,
Χριστῷ (Christō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

all
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

of [this],
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

beloved,
ἀγαπητοί (agapētoi)
Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 27: From agapao; beloved.

[is]
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

to build you up.
οἰκοδομῆς (oikodomēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3619: Feminine of a compound of oikos and the base of doma; architecture, i.e. a structure; figuratively, confirmation.


Links
2 Corinthians 12:19 NIV
2 Corinthians 12:19 NLT
2 Corinthians 12:19 ESV
2 Corinthians 12:19 NASB
2 Corinthians 12:19 KJV

2 Corinthians 12:19 BibleApps.com
2 Corinthians 12:19 Biblia Paralela
2 Corinthians 12:19 Chinese Bible
2 Corinthians 12:19 French Bible
2 Corinthians 12:19 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 12:19 Again do you think that we (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 12:18
Top of Page
Top of Page