2 Corinthians 1:12

Paul Defends His Changed Plans

1:12 For our reason for confidence ¹  is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives ²  and sincerity which are from God ³  – not by human wisdom ⁴  but by the grace of God – we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more ⁵  toward you.

2 Corinthians 3:4

3:4 Now we have such confidence in God through Christ.

2 Corinthians 7:11

7:11 For see what this very thing, this sadness ⁶  as God intended, has produced in you: what eagerness, what defense of yourselves, ⁷  what indignation, ⁸  what alarm, what longing, what deep concern, ⁹  what punishment! ¹⁰  In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

2 Corinthians 11:19

11:19 For since you are so wise, you put up with ¹¹  fools gladly.

2 Corinthians 11:24

11:24 Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one. ¹² 

2 Corinthians 13:8

13:8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth.

[1:12]  ¹ tn Or “for boasting.”

[1:12]  ² tc Two viable variants exist at this place in the text: ἁγιότητι (Jagiothti, “holiness”) vs. ἁπλότητι (Japlothti, “pure motives”). A confusion of letters could well have produced the variant (TCGNT 507): In uncial script the words would have been written agiothti and aplothti. This, however, does not explain which reading created the other. Overall ἁπλότητι, though largely a Western-Byzantine reading (א² D F G Ï lat sy), is better suited to the context; it is also a Pauline word while ἁγιότης (Jagioth") is not. It also best explains the rise of the other variants, πραότητι (praothti, “gentleness”) and {σπλάγχνοις} (splancnoi", “compassion”). On the other hand, the external evidence in favor of ἁγιότητι is extremely strong (Ì⁴⁶ א* A B C K P Ψ 0121 0243 33 81 1739 1881 al co). This diversity of mss provides excellent evidence for authenticity, but because of the internal evidence listed above, ἁπλότητι is to be preferred, albeit only slightly.

[1:12]  ³ tn Grk “pure motives and sincerity of God.”

[1:12]  ⁴ tn Or “not by worldly wisdom.”

[1:12]  ⁵ tn Or “and especially.”

[7:11]  ⁶ tn Grk “this very thing, to be grieved.”

[7:11]  ⁷ tn The words “of yourselves” are not in the Greek text but are implied.

[7:11]  ⁸ sn What indignation refers to the Corinthians’ indignation at the offender.

[7:11]  ⁹ tn Or “what zeal.”

[7:11]  ¹⁰ sn That is, punishment for the offender.

[11:19]  ¹¹ tn Or “you tolerate.”

[11:24]  ¹⁶ tn Grk “forty less one”; this was a standard sentence. “Lashes” is supplied to clarify for the modern reader what is meant.