2 Corinthians 5:12

5:12 We are not trying to commend¹ ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us,² so that you may be able to answer those who take pride³ in outward appearance⁴ and not in what is in the heart.

2 Corinthians 5:18

5:18 And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 8:10

8:10 So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you⁵ made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,

2 Corinthians 10:8

10:8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us⁶ for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.⁷

2 Corinthians 12:7

12:7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore,⁸ so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble⁹ me – so that I would not become arrogant.¹⁰

¹tn The present tense of συνιστάνομεν (sunistanomen) has been translated as a conative present.

²tn Or “to boast about us.”

³tn Or “who boast.”

⁴tn Or “in what is seen.”

⁵tn Grk “who.”

⁹tn The word “us” is not in the Greek text but is supplied. Indirect objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, and must be supplied for the modern English reader.

¹⁰tn Grk “I will not be put to shame,” “I will not be ashamed.” The words “of doing so” are supplied to clarify for the reader that Paul will not be ashamed of boasting somewhat more about the authority the Lord gave him (beginning of v. 8).

¹³tc Most mss (Ì⁴⁶ D Ψ 1881 Ï) lack διό (dio, “Therefore”), but the widespread distribution and quality of mss which include it (א A B F G 0243 33 81 1175 1739 pc) argues for its authenticity. Internally, its case is equally strong in that its inclusion is grammatically rough (διό is hardly necessary to convey purpose, especially since Paul uses ἵνα [{ina, “so that”] next).

¹⁴tn Or “to harass.”

¹⁵tn The phrase “so that I might not become arrogant” is repeated here because it occurs in the Greek text two times in the verse. Although redundant, it is repeated because of the emphatic nature of its affirmation.