2 Corinthians 5:12

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but we speak [in such a way as] to give you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can have an answer for those who take pride in [outward] appearances instead of what is in the heart.

Cross References

2 Corinthians 1:14

as you have understood us partially [or “only a part of you have understood us”], that we are [the occasion of] your boasting, even as you are [the occasion of] our boasting.

2 Corinthians 10:12

For we do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with certain people who commend themselves. People who measure their[spiritual] stature by what [they think] they are, and compare their [spiritual] status with their own set of standards, are foolish.

2 Corinthians 10:18

For it is not the person who commends himself that is approved [by God], but the one whom the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 10:7

You people are looking [merely] at the appearance of things [or, “You should look at what is obvious!” In either case, it suggests they were misjudging Paul’s ministry]. If any person is confident within himself that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: We are just as much Christ’s [servants] as he is.

2 Corinthians 10:8

For even if I should boast too much about the authority the Lord gave us for building you people up [spiritually], and not tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

2 Corinthians 12:11

I have become foolish [i.e., by my boasting], but you made me do it [i.e., in order to vindicate myself] For I should have been commended by you [i.e., for my effective ministry there in Corinth], because I was not inferior in any way to those “super apostles” [See 11:5], even though I am nothing.

2 Corinthians 3:1

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again [i.e., by saying that we are not like other people]? Or, do we need letters of recommendation to you or from you, as others do?

2 Corinthians 6:4

But, as ministers of God, we [try to] commend ourselves [to others] in every way. [We do this] by [our] great steadfastness in troubles, hardships and difficulties.

Philippians 1:26

so that, by my being with you again, you will be able to rejoice all the more in [our lives together with] Christ Jesus.