2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 12:13–20

¹³In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

¹⁴See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. ¹⁵And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?

¹⁶Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery. ¹⁷Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you? 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?^b

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.

Footnotes

b 12:18 Literally Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Not in the same footsteps?

Read all of 2 Corinthians 12

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Greek it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

2 Corinthians 12:13

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
In what way	τί	ti	Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular	G5101 who, which, what
were you inferior	ἡσσώθητε	hēssōthēte	Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural	G2274 I am defeated, made inferior
to	ὑπὲρ	hyper	Preposition	G5228 in behalf of, above
the	τὰς	tas	Article - Accusative Feminine Plural	G3588 the
other	λοιπὰς	loipas	Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural	G3062 left, left behind, the remainder
churches	ἐκκλησίας	ekklēsias	Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural	G1577 an assembly, congregation, church
except	εἰ	ei	Conjunction	G1487 if
that	ὅτι	hoti	Conjunction	G3754 that, since, because
I	ἐγὼ	egō	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
was not a burden	κατενάρκησα	katenarkēsa	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G2655 I burden, encumber
to you	ὑμῶν	hymōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
Forgive	χαρίσασθέ	charisasthe	Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Plural	G5483 I show favor to, forgive
me	μοι	moi	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
this	ταύτην	tautēn	Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G3778 this, he, she, it
wrong	ἀδικίαν	adikian	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G93 unrighteousness

2 Corinthians 12:14

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
See	Ἰδοὺ	Idou	Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular	G2400 See! Lo! Behold! Look!
I am	ἔχω	echō	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G2192 I have, hold, possess
ready	ἑτοίμως	hetoimōs	Adverb	G2093 readily
to come	ἐλθεῖν	elthein	Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active	G2064 I come, go
to	πρὸς	pros	Preposition	G4314 to, towards, with
you	ὑμᾶς	hymas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
a third time	τρίτον	triton	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular	G5154 third
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
I will not be a burden	καταναρκήσω	katanarkēsō	Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G2655 I burden, encumber
because	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
I am not seeking	ζητῶ	zētō	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G2212 I seek, search for, desire
your	ὑμῶν	hymōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
but	ἀλλὰ	alla	Conjunction	G235 but, except
you	ὑμᾶς	hymas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
For	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
children	τέκνα	tekna	Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural	G5043 a child, descendent, inhabitant
should not have	ὀφείλει	opheilei	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G3784 I owe, ought
to save up	θησαυρίζειν	thēsaurizein	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G2343 I store up, treasure up, save
for	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
parents	γονεῦσιν	goneusin	Noun - Dative Masculine Plural	G1118 a parent
but	ἀλλὰ	alla	Conjunction	G235 but, except
parents	γονεῖς	goneis	Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G1118 a parent
for	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Neuter Plural	G3588 the
children	τέκνοις	teknois	Noun - Dative Neuter Plural	G5043 a child, descendent, inhabitant

2 Corinthians 12:15

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
And	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
for the sake of	ὑπὲρ	hyper	Preposition	G5228 in behalf of, above
your	ὑμῶν	hymōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
souls	ψυχῶν	psychōn	Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural	G5590 the soul, life, self
I	ἐγὼ	egō	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
most gladly	ἥδιστα	hēdista	Adverb - Superlative	G2236 most gladly, pleasantly
spend my money	δαπανήσω	dapanēsō	Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G1159 I spend, bear expense, waste
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
If	εἰ	ei	Conjunction	G1487 if
I love	ἀγαπῶν	agapōn	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G25 I love
you	ὑμᾶς	hymas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
more	περισσοτέρως	perissoterōs	Adverb	G4057 greatly, exceedingly
will	ἀγαπῶμαι	agapōmai	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular	G25 I love
less	ἧσσον	hēsson	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative	G2276 lesser, inferior, weaker

2 Corinthians 12:16

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Be that as it may	Ἔστω	Estō	Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G1510 I am, exist
I	ἐγὼ	egō	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
was not a burden	κατεβάρησα	katebarēsa	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G2599 I burden, oppress
to you	ὑμᾶς	hymas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
but	ἀλλὰ	alla	Conjunction	G235 but, except
crafty	πανοῦργος	panourgos	Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3835 cunning, crafty
as I am	ὑπάρχων	hyparchōn	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G5225 I am, exist, am in possession
I caught	ἔλαβον	elabon	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G2983 I receive, take
you	ὑμᾶς	hymas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
by trickery	δόλῳ	dolō	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G1388 deceit, guile, treachery

2 Corinthians 12:17

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Did I exploit	ἐπλεονέκτησα	epleonektēsa	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G4122 I take advantage of
you	ὑμᾶς	hymas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
by	δι’	di’	Preposition	G1223 through, on account of
anyone	τινα	tina	Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G5100 any one, some one
I sent	ἀπέσταλκα	apestalka	Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G649 I send forth, send, send away, dismiss
you	ὑμᾶς	hymas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you

2 Corinthians 12:18

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
I urged	παρεκάλεσα	parekalesa	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G3870 I summon, entreat, admonish, comfort
Titus	Τίτον	Titon	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G5103 Titus
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
I sent	συναπέστειλα	synapesteila	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G4882 I send together with
brother	ἀδελφόν	adelphon	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G80 a brother
Titus	Τίτος	Titos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G5103 Titus
exploit	ἐπλεονέκτησεν	epleonektēsen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G4122 I take advantage of
you	ὑμᾶς	hymas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
Did we not walk	περιεπατήσαμεν	periepatēsamen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural	G4043 I walk, conduct my life
in the	τῷ	tō	Article - Dative Neuter Singular	G3588 the
same	αὐτῷ	autō	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Neuter 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
Spirit	Πνεύματι	Pneumati	Noun - Dative Neuter Singular	G4151 wind, breath, spirit
in the	τοῖς	tois	Article - Dative Neuter Plural	G3588 the
same	αὐτοῖς	autois	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Neuter 3rd Person Plural	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
footsteps	ἴχνεσιν	ichnesin	Noun - Dative Neuter Plural	G2487 a track, footstep

2 Corinthians 12:19

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Have you been thinking	δοκεῖτε	dokeite	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural	G1380 I think, seem, appear, it seems
all along	Πάλαι	Palai	Adverb	G3819 of old, long ago
that	ὅτι	hoti	Conjunction	G3754 that, since, because
we were making a defense	ἀπολογούμεθα	apologoumetha	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural	G626 I give a defense, defend myself
to you	ὑμῖν	hymin	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
We speak	λαλοῦμεν	laloumen	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural	G2980 I speak, say
before	κατέναντι	katenanti	Preposition	G2713 opposite, in front of
God	Θεοῦ	Theou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
in	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
Christ	Χριστῷ	Christō	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G5547 anointed, the Messiah, the Christ
and	δὲ	de	Conjunction	G1161 but, on the other hand, and
all	πάντα	panta	Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
of	τὰ	ta	Article - Nominative Neuter Plural	G3588 the
beloved	ἀγαπητοί	agapētoi	Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural	G27 loved, beloved
to build you up	οἰκοδομῆς	oikodomēs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3619 the act of building, a building, edification

2 Corinthians 12:20

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
For	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
I am afraid	φοβοῦμαι	phoboumai	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular	G5399 I fear, am terrified
when I come	ἐλθὼν	elthōn	Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2064 I come, go
I may not find	εὕρω	heurō	Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular	G2147 I find
you	ὑμᾶς	hymas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
as	οἵους	hoious	Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural	G3634 of what kind, such as
I wish	θέλω	thelō	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G2309 I will, wish, desire
and	κἀγὼ	kagō	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular	G2504 I also, I too
you	ὑμῖν	hymin	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
may not find	εὑρεθῶ	heurethō	Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 1st Person Singular	G2147 I find
as	οἷον	hoion	Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G3634 of what kind, such as
you wish	θέλετε	thelete	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural	G2309 I will, wish, desire
that there may be	πως	pōs	Adverb	G4459 how, in what manner
quarreling	ἔρις	eris	Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular	G2054 contention, strife
jealousy	ζῆλος	zēlos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2205 eagerness, zeal, rivalry
rage	θυμοί	thymoi	Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G2372 an outburst of passion, wrath
rivalry	ἐριθεῖαι	eritheiai	Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural	G2052 ambition, rivalry
slander	καταλαλιαί	katalaliai	Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural	G2636 evil-speaking, backbiting, detraction
gossip	ψιθυρισμοί	psithyrismoi	Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G5587 a whispering, secret slandering
arrogance	φυσιώσεις	physiōseis	Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural	G5450 a puffing up, pride
disorder	ἀκαταστασίαι	akatastasiai	Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural	G181 disturbance, upheaval, revolution