2 Corinthians 5:12

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who take pride in outward appearance and not in what is in the heart.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • 2 Cor 3:1 : 1 A Living Letter Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? We don’t need letters of recommendation to you or from you as some other people do, do we?
  • 2 Cor 1:14 : 14 just as also you have partly understood us, that we are your source of pride just as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
  • 2 Cor 11:12-16 : 12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a chance to be regarded as our equals in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions. 16 Paul’s Sufferings for Christ I say again, let no one think that I am a fool. But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
  • 2 Cor 12:1-9 : 1 Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh It is necessary to go on boasting. Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago(whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know that this man(whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows) 4 was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred to be put into words, things that a person is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. 6 For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me, 7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me– so that I would not become arrogant. 8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me,“My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.
  • 2 Cor 12:11 : 11 The Signs of an Apostle I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison to those“super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
  • Gal 6:12-14 : 12 Those who want to make a good showing in external matters are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh. 14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
  • 2 Cor 6:4 : 4 But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,
  • 2 Cor 10:8 : 8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.
  • 2 Cor 10:12 : 12 Paul’s Mission For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
  • 2 Cor 10:18 : 18 For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.
  • Prov 27:2 : 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • 2 Cor 5:13
    80%

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

  • 2 Cor 5:11
    80%

    11The Message of Reconciliation Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people, but we are well known to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too.

  • 2 Cor 1:12
    80%

    12Paul Defends His Changed Plans For our reason for confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives and sincerity which are from God– not by human wisdom but by the grace of God– we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more toward you.

  • 2 Cor 10:11-13
    3 verses
    79%

    11Let such a person consider this: What we say by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.

    12Paul’s Mission For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.

    13But we will not boast beyond certain limits, but will confine our boasting according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, that reaches even as far as you.

  • 2 Cor 3:1-2
    2 verses
    79%

    1A Living Letter Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? We don’t need letters of recommendation to you or from you as some other people do, do we?

    2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone,

  • 1 Thess 2:4-6
    3 verses
    78%

    4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

    5For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed– God is our witness–

    6nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others,

  • 2 Cor 4:5
    78%

    5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.

  • 2 Cor 12:19
    78%

    19Have 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.

  • 2 Cor 10:7-8
    2 verses
    77%

    7You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we.

    8For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.

  • 2 Cor 10:15-18
    4 verses
    77%

    15Nor do we boast beyond certain limits in the work done by others, but we hope that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded among you according to our limits,

    16so that we may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person’s area.

    17But the one who boasts must boast in the Lord.

    18For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.

  • 2 Cor 4:2
    76%

    2But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.

  • 2 Cor 12:5-6
    2 verses
    76%

    5On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.

    6For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me,

  • 2 Cor 11:12
    76%

    12And what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a chance to be regarded as our equals in the things they boast about.

  • 2 Thess 3:9
    75%

    9It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

  • 2 Cor 9:3-4
    2 verses
    74%

    3But I am sending these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready just as I kept telling them.

    4For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated(not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you.

  • 2 Cor 10:2
    74%

    2now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that(I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving according to human standards.

  • 2 Thess 1:12
    74%

    12that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Cor 8:20-21
    2 verses
    74%

    20We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering.

    21For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.

  • 2 Cor 7:14
    74%

    14For if I have boasted to him about anything concerning you, I have not been embarrassed by you, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus about you has proved true as well.

  • 2 Cor 8:24
    74%

    24Therefore show them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.

  • 2 Cor 11:16-18
    3 verses
    74%

    16Paul’s Sufferings for Christ I say again, let no one think that I am a fool. But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

    17What I am saying with this boastful confidence I do not say the way the Lord would. Instead it is, as it were, foolishness.

    18Since many are boasting according to human standards, I too will boast.

  • 1 Thess 2:1-2
    2 verses
    74%

    1Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you– it has not proven to be purposeless.

    2But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition.

  • 2 Cor 2:17
    74%

    17For we are not like so many others, hucksters who peddle the word of God for profit, but we are speaking in Christ before God as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God.

  • 2 Cor 7:2-3
    2 verses
    73%

    2Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we have ruined no one, we have exploited no one.

    3I do not say this to condemn you, for I told you before that you are in our hearts so that we die together and live together with you.

  • 1 Thess 1:5
    73%

    5in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction(surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).

  • 1 Cor 4:10
    73%

    10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored!

  • 2 Cor 3:5
    73%

    5Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

  • 2 Cor 5:9
    73%

    9So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please him.

  • 1 Cor 4:6
    73%

    6I have applied these things to myself and Apollos because of you, brothers and sisters, so that through us you may learn“not to go beyond what is written,” so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of the one against the other.

  • 2 Cor 6:3
    73%

    3We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

  • 2 Cor 5:7
    73%

    7for we live by faith, not by sight.

  • 2 Cor 11:5
    73%

    5For I consider myself not at all inferior to those“super-apostles.”

  • 2 Cor 12:1
    73%

    1Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh It is necessary to go on boasting. Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

  • 2 Cor 1:14
    73%

    14just as also you have partly understood us, that we are your source of pride just as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.