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14 Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have[a] to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives![b] If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit! 17 I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I?[c] 18 I urged Titus to visit you[d] and I sent our[e] brother along with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he?[f] Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not behave in the same way?[g]

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:14 tn Grk “children ought not,” but this might give the impression that children are not supposed to support sick or aging parents in need of help. That is not what Paul is saying. His point is that children should not have to pay their parent’s way.
  2. 2 Corinthians 12:15 tn Grk “souls.”
  3. 2 Corinthians 12:17 tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative answer, indicated by the ‘tag’ question “have I?” at the end of the clause. The question is rhetorical.
  4. 2 Corinthians 12:18 tn The words “to visit you” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, and must be supplied for the modern reader.
  5. 2 Corinthians 12:18 tn Grk “the.”
  6. 2 Corinthians 12:18 tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative answer, indicated by the ‘tag’ question “did he?” at the end of the clause.
  7. 2 Corinthians 12:18 tn Grk “[Did we not walk] in the same tracks?” This is an idiom that means to imitate someone else or to behave as they do. Paul’s point is that he and Titus have conducted themselves in the same way toward the Corinthians. If Titus did not take advantage of the Corinthians, then neither did Paul.

14 Here (A)for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I (B)will not be a burden to you; for I (C)do not seek what is yours, but (D)you. For (E)children ought not to save up for their parents, but (F)parents for their children. 15 So I will (G)most gladly spend and be fully spent for your souls. If (H)I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I (I)did not burden you myself. Nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I (J)took you in by deceit. 17 (K)Have I taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you? 18 I (L)encouraged (M)Titus to go, and I sent (N)the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did we not walk [a]in the same (O)spirit—(P)in the very same steps?

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:18 Or by the same Spirit