2 Corinthians 12:13
New International Version
How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

New Living Translation
The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

English Standard Version
For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

Berean Standard Bible
In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Berean Literal Bible
For in what is it that you were inferior beyond the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

King James Bible
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

New King James Version
For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

New American Standard Bible
For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

NASB 1995
For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

NASB 1977
For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Legacy Standard Bible
For in what respect were you treated as less than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Amplified Bible
For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except [for the fact] that I did not burden you [with my financial support]? Forgive me [for doing you] this injustice!

Christian Standard Bible
So in what way are you worse off than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me for this wrong!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So in what way were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

American Standard Version
For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.

Contemporary English Version
You missed out on only one blessing the other churches received. That is, you didn't have to support me. Forgive me for doing you wrong.

English Revised Version
For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
How were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I didn't bother you for help? Forgive me for this wrong!

Good News Translation
How were you treated any worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for financial help? Please forgive me for being so unfair!

International Standard Version
How were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for help? Forgive me for this wrong!

Majority Standard Bible
In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

NET Bible
For how were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!

New Heart English Bible
For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the churches, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

Webster's Bible Translation
For what is that in which ye were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

Weymouth New Testament
In what respect, therefore, have you been worse dealt with than other Churches, except that I myself never hung as a dead weight upon you? Forgive the injustice I thus did you!

World English Bible
For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for what is there in which you were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!

Berean Literal Bible
For in what is it that you were inferior beyond the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

Young's Literal Translation
for what is there in which ye were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this injustice!

Smith's Literal Translation
For what is it which ye were inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself acted not with negligence to you? favor me for this injustice.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For what is there that you have had less than the other churches, but that I myself was not burthensome to you? Pardon me this injury.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For what is there that you have had which is less than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this injury.

New American Bible
In what way were you less privileged than the rest of the churches, except that on my part I did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

New Revised Standard Version
How have you been worse off than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For what do you lack that other churches have, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this �fault�!

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For what did you lack of other churches, except only in this, that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrongdoing!
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, unless in this?that I did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.

Godbey New Testament
For what is that in which you are inferior to other churches, except that I did not burden you? forgive me this wrong.

Haweis New Testament
For what is there wherein ye have been inferior to the other churches, except that I have not been burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong.

Mace New Testament
for in what were ye inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? an injury I hope you will easily forgive.

Weymouth New Testament
In what respect, therefore, have you been worse dealt with than other Churches, except that I myself never hung as a dead weight upon you? Forgive the injustice I thus did you!

Worrell New Testament
For what is there in which ye were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong!

Worsley New Testament
For what is it that ye were inferior in to the rest of the churches, unless it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?--- Forgive me this injury.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Concern for the Corinthians
12The true marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance. 13 In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! 14See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:7-9
Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? / I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you. / And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.

1 Corinthians 9:12-18
If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. / Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. ...

1 Thessalonians 2:9
Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

Acts 18:3
and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.

Philippians 4:15-16
And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving. / For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.

1 Corinthians 4:12
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

2 Thessalonians 3:8-9
nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. / Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

Acts 20:33-35
I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. / You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. / In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

1 Corinthians 9:6
Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?

Galatians 6:6
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.

1 Timothy 5:17-18
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. / For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

1 Corinthians 9:1-4
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? / Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. / This is my defense to those who scrutinize me: ...

1 Corinthians 12:28-31
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. / Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? / Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ...

Romans 15:27
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.


Treasury of Scripture

For what is it wherein you were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

I myself.

2 Corinthians 12:14
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

2 Corinthians 11:8,9
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service…

1 Corinthians 9:6,12,15-18
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? …

forgive.

2 Corinthians 11:7
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

Jump to Previous
Assemblies Burden Burdensome Charge Churches Dead Dealt Except Favored Forgive Forgiveness Hung Inferior Injury Injustice Less Respect Rest Treated Trouble Unless Weight Wherein Worse Wrong
Jump to Next
Assemblies Burden Burdensome Charge Churches Dead Dealt Except Favored Forgive Forgiveness Hung Inferior Injury Injustice Less Respect Rest Treated Trouble Unless Weight Wherein Worse Wrong
2 Corinthians 12
1. For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations,
9. yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities;
11. blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting.
14. He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father;
20. although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there.














In what way were you inferior to the other churches
This phrase reflects Paul's rhetorical question to the Corinthians, challenging them to consider how they might have been treated less favorably than other churches. The Greek word for "inferior" (ἥττημα, hēttēma) suggests a sense of being less or lacking. Historically, Corinth was a wealthy and influential city, yet Paul emphasizes spiritual equality among the churches. This highlights the early church's struggle with unity and the temptation to measure worth by worldly standards rather than spiritual ones.

except that I was not a burden to you
Paul's choice to not be a financial burden to the Corinthians is significant. The Greek word for "burden" (καταναρκάω, katanarkaō) implies being a financial weight. Paul often worked as a tentmaker to support himself, as seen in Acts 18:3. This decision was rooted in his desire to preach the gospel freely and avoid any accusations of exploiting the church for personal gain. It reflects a deep commitment to integrity and self-sacrifice, setting a model for Christian leadership that prioritizes the spiritual well-being of others over personal comfort.

Forgive me this wrong!
This phrase is rich with irony and humility. The Greek word for "wrong" (ἀδικία, adikia) typically denotes injustice or wrongdoing. Paul uses irony to emphasize that his "wrong" was actually a selfless act of love. By asking for forgiveness, he underscores the absurdity of the Corinthians' potential grievance against him for not accepting their support. This reflects Paul's deep pastoral care and his willingness to humble himself for the sake of reconciliation and unity within the church.

(13) What is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches?--His mind travels back to the insinuation that he cared less for them than he did for the churches of Macedonia, because he had maintained his independence and had received no gifts from them. If they complained of this, they should, at least, remember that this was the only point of inferiority. They had experienced fully all the advantages that flowed from his special power as an Apostle. For that wrong, so far as it was a wrong, he asks their forgiveness.

That I myself was not burdensome.--He uses here, and in the next verse, the same characteristic word for "sponging" on them, which has been commented on in the Note on 2Corinthians 11:9. He obviously dwells on it with a touch of irony, as a word that had been used of him by some of his rivals.

Verse 13. - I was not burdensome. The same word as in 2 Corinthians 11:9. Forgive me this wrong. There is an exquisite dignity and pathos mixed with the irony of this remark.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In what way
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

were you inferior
ἡσσώθητε (hēssōthēte)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2274: From the same as hetton; to make worse, i.e. Vanquish; by implication, to rate lower.

to
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

the
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

other
λοιπὰς (loipas)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3062: Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones.

churches,
ἐκκλησίας (ekklēsias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.

except
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

was not a burden
κατενάρκησα (katenarkēsa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2655: (properly a medical term: I stupefy, hence) I burden, encumber. From kata and narkao; to grow utterly torpid, i.e. slothful.

to you?
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Forgive
χαρίσασθέ (charisasthe)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5483: (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.

me
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

this
ταύτην (tautēn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

wrong!
ἀδικίαν (adikian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 93: Injustice, unrighteousness, hurt. From adikos; injustice; morally, wrongfulness.


Links
2 Corinthians 12:13 NIV
2 Corinthians 12:13 NLT
2 Corinthians 12:13 ESV
2 Corinthians 12:13 NASB
2 Corinthians 12:13 KJV

2 Corinthians 12:13 BibleApps.com
2 Corinthians 12:13 Biblia Paralela
2 Corinthians 12:13 Chinese Bible
2 Corinthians 12:13 French Bible
2 Corinthians 12:13 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 12:13 For what is there in which you (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 12:12
Top of Page
Top of Page