2Cor 12:11-21 | ESV | STEP | I have been a fool ! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you . For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles , even though I am nothing .

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Concern for the Corinthian Church

11 ^aI have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was ^bnot at all inferior to these super-apostles, ^ceven though I am nothing. 12 ^dThe signs of a true apostle were performed among you ^ewith utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that ^fI myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 Here ^gfor the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for ^hI seek not what is yours but you. For ⁱchildren are not obligated to save up for their parents, but ^jparents for their children. 15 ^kI will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If ^lI love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that ^mI myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you ⁿthrough any of those whom I sent to you? 18 ^oI urged Titus to go, and sent ^pthe brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is ^qin the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and ^rall for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps ^swhen I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those ^twho sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, ^usexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.