The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:13 Explained

2 Corinthians 12:13

KJV: For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

YLT: for what is there in which ye were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this injustice!

Darby: For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.

ASV: For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  what  is it  wherein  ye were inferior  to  other  churches,  except  [it be] that  I  myself  was  not  burdensome  to you?  forgive  me  this  wrong. 

What does 2 Corinthians 12:13 Mean?

Verse Meaning

In irony again Paul appealed to his readers for forgiveness because he had not treated them as he had a right to do as an apostle. It was only in refraining from demanding his rights of support as an apostle that Paul had not treated the Corinthians as an apostle would normally do (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:5-12; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18). He had given them special privileges. This treatment had led some to criticize him.
Paul"s focusing on the signs (evidences) of an apostle rather than on the rights of an apostle is helpful for all servants of the Lord to observe. We, too, should concentrate on demonstrating the proofs of our ambassadorship in our works, especially our perseverance, rather than expecting those we serve to follow us because we claim our rights. We need to earn the respect of those we serve with our works rather than demanding it because of our position.

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 12:11-21 - "i Seek Not Yours, But You"
"The long burst of passionate self-vindication has now at last expended itself," says Dean Stanley, and Paul returns to the point whence he diverged at 2 Corinthians 10:7, where he was avowing his intention to repress the disobedience of those who still resisted his authority at Corinth. "Now," he says, "my folly is over. That I should have indulged in it is your fault, not mine." What a comfort it is that he lays such repeated stress on his weakness! Instead of complaining of it, he used it as an argument with Christ that He should put forth more grace, and as an argument with his converts, that the results of his work had been granted as the divine endorsement of his apostolate.
Paul felt that his paternal relation to this church gave him the right to rebuke them, as a father rebukes his children. But he realized that they did not reciprocate his love, probably because they permitted the evil things enumerated in the closing verses. Often moral obliquity accounts for the decline and failure of love. Among other things, they had even accused him of getting money, if not directly, yet through Titus. But there were worse things still that needed to be dealt with, 2 Corinthians 12:20-21. Would that we were more often humbled to the dust by the sins of our brethren! [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12:13

Wherein ye were made inferior [ο ησσωτητε]
First aorist passive indicative of ησσοομαι — hēssoomai the text of Aleph B D instead of the usual ηττητητε — hēttēthēte from the common ητταομαι — hēttaomai to be inferior or less from the comparative ηττων — hēttōn See ησσων — hēssōn in 2 Corinthians 12:15. ο — Ho is the neuter accusative with the passive verb (Robertson, Grammar, p. 479). [source]
Forgive me this wrong [χαρισαστε μοι την αδικιαν ταυτην]
Consummate irony to the stingy element in this church (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:9). [source]
Except that I was not a burden []
Alluding to the possible objection that his refusal to receive pay was a sign either of his want of power to exact it, or of his want of affection for them (2 Corinthians 11:7). [source]
Forgive, etc. []
Ironical. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 12:13

1 Corinthians 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, etc. []
The exact line of Paul's thought is a matter of much discussion, and must be determined if we are to understand the force of the several words. It appears to be as follows: He has been speaking of the fact that he preaches at his own cost. He so glories in this that he would rather die than surrender this ground of boasting Compare 2 Corinthians 11:7-12; 2 Corinthians 12:13-16. For it is the only ground of boasting that is possible to him. The preaching of the Gospel in itself furnishes no such ground, for one cannot boast of what he needs must do; and the necessity to preach the Gospel is laid on him under penalty of a “woe” if he refuse. He goes on to show, in two propositions, why and how there is no cause for boasting in preaching under necessity. 1. Supposing there were no necessity, but that he preached of free will, like the twelve who freely accepted the apostleship at Christ's call, then he would rightfully have a reward, as a free man entering freely upon service; and so would have some ground of glorying. 2. But supposing I became an apostle under constraint, as was the fact, then I am not in the position of a free man who chooses at will, but of a slave who is made household steward by his master's will, without his own choice, and consequently I have no claim for reward and no ground of boasting. What, then, is my reward? What ground of boasting have I? Only this: to make the Gospel without charge. In this I may glory. [source]
1 Corinthians 6:7 Fault among you [ἥττημα ἐν ὑμῖν]
Only here and Romans 11:12. See note. Ἥττημα faultis from ἥττων lessLit., diminution, decrease. Hence used in the sense of defeat, Isaiah 31:8: “Young men shall be discomfited lit., shall be for diminution.” Similarly the kindred verb ἡττάομαι , in 2 Corinthians 12:13, made inferior; and in 2 Peter 2:19, 2 Peter 2:20, overcome. See note there. Compare 1Corinthians href="/desk/?q=1co+6:8&sr=1">1 Corinthians 6:8) is a source of damage, resulting in forfeiture of the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9), and in loss of spiritual power. [source]
1 Corinthians 6:7 Nay, already it is altogether a defect among you [ηδη μεν ουν ολως ηττημα υμιν εστιν]
“Indeed therefore there is to you already (to begin with, ηδη — ēdē before any question of courts) wholly defeat.” ηττημα — Hēttēma (from ητταομαι — hēttaomai) is only here, Romans 11:12; Isaiah 31:8 and ecclesiastical writers. See ητταομαι — hēttaomai (from ηττων — hēttōn less) in 2 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Peter 2:19. Νικη — Nikē was victory and ηττα — hētta defeat with the Greeks. It is defeat for Christians to have lawsuits (κριματα — krimata usually decrees or judgments) with one another. This was proof of the failure of love and forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). [source]
2 Corinthians 11:9 I was not a burden to any man [ου κατεναρκησα ουτενος]
First aorist active indicative of καταναρκαω — katanarkaō Jerome calls this word one of Paul‘s cilicisms which he brought from Cilicia. But the word occurs in Hippocrates for growing quite stiff and may be a medical term in popular use. Ναρκαω — Narkaō means to become numb, torpid, and so a burden. It is only here and 2 Corinthians 12:13. Paul “did not benumb the Corinthians by his demand for pecuniary aid” (Vincent). [source]
2 Corinthians 12:14 Third time I am ready to come [τριτον τουτο ετοιμως εχω]
Had he been already twice or only once? He had changed his plans once when he did not go (2 Corinthians 1:15.). He will not change his plans now. This looks as if he had only been once (that in Acts 18). Note the third use of καταναρκαω — katanarkaō (2 Corinthians 11:9; 2 Corinthians 12:13, 2 Corinthians 12:14). They need not be apprehensive. He will be as financially independent of them as before. “I shall not sponge on you.” [source]
Hebrews 4:12 The word of God [ο λογος του τεου]
That just quoted about the promise of rest and God‘s rest, but true of any real word of God. Living Cf. the Living God (Hebrews 3:12). In Philo and the Book of Wisdom the Logos of God is personified, but still more in John 1:1-18 where Jesus is pictured as the Logos on a par with God. “Our author is using Philonic language rather than Philonic ideas” (Moffatt). See John 6:63: “The words which I have spoken are spirit and are life.” Active Energetic, powerful (John 1:12; Philemon 3:21; Colossians 1:29). Sharper Comparative of τομος — tomos cutting (from τεμνω — temnō to cut), late adjective, here only in the N.T. Than Often so after a comparative (Luke 16:8; 2 Corinthians 12:13). Two-edged “Two-mouthed” Present middle participle of αχρι μερισμου — diikneomai old verb to go through, here only in N.T. Even to the dividing Old word from μερος — merizō As in 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 15:45, but not an argument for trichotomy. Psychology is constantly changing its terminology. Of both joints and marrow From αρμος — arō to join, comes Μυελος — harmos old word, here only in the N.T. μυω — Muelos (from κριτικος — muō to shut), old word, here only in N.T. This surgeon goes into and through the joints and marrow, not cleaving between them. Quick to discern Verbal adjective in -κρινω — ikos from εντυμησεων και εννοιων καρδιας — krinō skilled in judging, as the surgeon has to be and able to decide on the instant what to do. So God‘s word like his eye sees the secret lurking doubt and unbelief “of the thoughts and intents of the heart” The surgeon carries a bright and powerful light for every dark crevice and a sharp knife for the removal of all the pus revealed by the light. It is a powerful picture here drawn. [source]
2 Peter 2:19 Themselves bondservants [αυτοι δουλοι]
“Themselves slaves” of corruption and sin as Paul has it in Romans 6:20.Of whom (ωι — hōi). Instrumental case, but it may mean “of what.”Is overcome Perfect passive indicative of ητταω — hēttaō (from ηττων — hēttōn less) old verb, in N.T. only here, 2 Peter 2:20; 2 Corinthians 12:13.Of the same (τουτωι — toutōi). “By this one (or thing).”Is brought into bondage Perfect passive indicative of δουλοω — douloō Like Paul again (Romans 6:16, Romans 6:18; Romans 8:21). [source]
2 Peter 2:19 Is overcome [ηττηται]
Perfect passive indicative of ητταω — hēttaō (from ηττων — hēttōn less) old verb, in N.T. only here, 2 Peter 2:20; 2 Corinthians 12:13.Of the same (τουτωι — toutōi). “By this one (or thing).”Is brought into bondage Perfect passive indicative of δουλοω — douloō Like Paul again (Romans 6:16, Romans 6:18; Romans 8:21). [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 12:13 mean?

In what for is it that you were inferior beyond the rest [of the] churches if not that myself I not did burden you Forgive me the wrong this
τί γάρ ἐστιν ἡσσώθητε ὑπὲρ τὰς λοιπὰς ἐκκλησίας εἰ μὴ ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐγὼ οὐ κατενάρκησα ὑμῶν χαρίσασθέ μοι τὴν ἀδικίαν ταύτην

τί  In  what 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: τίς  
Sense: who, which, what.
ἐστιν  is  it 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
  that 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἡσσώθητε  you  were  inferior 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἑσσόομαι 
Sense: to make less, inferior, to overcome.
ὑπὲρ  beyond 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ὑπέρ 
Sense: in behalf of, for the sake of.
λοιπὰς  rest 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: λοιπός  
Sense: remaining, the rest.
ἐκκλησίας  [of  the]  churches 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: ἐκκλησία  
Sense: a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
αὐτὸς  myself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
κατενάρκησα  did  burden 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: καταναρκάω  
Sense: to cause to grow numb or torpid.
χαρίσασθέ  Forgive 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Middle, 2nd Person Plural
Root: χαρίζομαι  
Sense: to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favour to, gratify.
μοι  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἀδικίαν  wrong 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀδικία  
Sense: injustice, of a judge.
ταύτην  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.