Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. New Living Translation You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. English Standard Version For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. Berean Standard Bible For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. Berean Literal Bible For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord; and ourselves as your servants for the sake of Jesus. King James Bible For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. New King James Version For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. New American Standard Bible For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants on account of Jesus. NASB 1995 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. NASB 1977 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. Legacy Standard Bible For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. Amplified Bible For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. Christian Standard Bible For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. Holman Christian Standard Bible For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. American Standard Version For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. Contemporary English Version We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. English Revised Version For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. GOD'S WORD® Translation Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. Good News Translation For it is not ourselves that we preach; we preach Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. International Standard Version For we do not preach ourselves, but rather Jesus the Messiah as Lord, and ourselves as merely your servants for Jesus' sake. Majority Standard Bible For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus? sake. NET Bible For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. New Heart English Bible For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. Webster's Bible Translation For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. Weymouth New Testament World English Bible For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus—LORD, and [we are] ourselves your servants because of Jesus; Berean Literal Bible For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord; and ourselves as your servants for the sake of Jesus. Young's Literal Translation for not ourselves do we preach, but Christ Jesus -- Lord, and ourselves your servants because of Jesus; Smith's Literal Translation For we proclaim not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord; and ourselves your servants through Jesus. Catholic Public Domain Version For we are not preaching about ourselves, but about Jesus Christ our Lord. We are merely your servants through Jesus. New American Bible For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. New Revised Standard Version For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor we do not preach about ourselves, but about Christ Jesus our LORD; and as to ourselves, we are your servants for Jesus’ sake. Aramaic Bible in Plain English For we have not been preaching ourselves, but The Messiah Yeshua, Our Lord; but we ourselves are your Servants for Yeshua's sake. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants, for Jesus sake. Godbey New Testament For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. Haweis New Testament For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus? sake. Mace New Testament for we preach not our selves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, professing our selves your servants for his sake. Weymouth New Testament Worrell New Testament For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord; and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake; Worsley New Testament for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for the sake of Jesus. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Light of the Gospel…4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.… Cross References Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: / Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Galatians 1:10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. Romans 15:1-3 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. / Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. / For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.” John 13:13-16 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. / So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. ... 1 Peter 5:2-3 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. Colossians 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Acts 20:19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews. 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it. / On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children. Matthew 23:11-12 The greatest among you shall be your servant. / For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 22:26-27 But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves. John 3:30 He must increase; I must decrease. Ephesians 3:8 Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, Treasury of Scripture For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. we. Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: John 1:21-23 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No… John 3:27-31 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven… Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. and. 2 Corinthians 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. 2 Corinthians 5:14,15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: … Matthew 20:25-27 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them… Jump to Previous Bondmen Bond-Servants Christ Jesus Ourselves Preach Preaching Sake ServantsJump to Next Bondmen Bond-Servants Christ Jesus Ourselves Preach Preaching Sake Servants2 Corinthians 4 1. Paul declares how he has used all sincerity and diligence in preaching the gospel,7. and how his troubles and persecutions did redound to the praise of God's power, 12. to the benefit of the church, 16. and to the apostle's own eternal glory. For we do not proclaim ourselves This phrase emphasizes the humility and selflessness required in Christian ministry. Paul contrasts the true gospel message with false teachings that often glorify the messenger rather than the message. In the cultural context of Corinth, where eloquent speech and personal charisma were highly valued, Paul’s approach was countercultural. This aligns with John 3:30, where John the Baptist says, "He must increase, but I must decrease," highlighting the focus on Christ rather than personal gain or recognition. but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, emphasizing his role as a servant of Christ rather than promoting himself. 2. Jesus Christ Central to the message, Jesus is proclaimed as Lord, highlighting His divine authority and the focus of the Gospel message. 3. Corinthian Church The recipients of the letter, the church in Corinth faced various challenges, including issues of leadership and understanding the true nature of the Gospel. 4. Servants Paul and his companions, who see themselves as servants for the sake of Jesus, emphasizing humility and service in their ministry. 5. The Gospel The good news of Jesus Christ, which Paul and his companions are dedicated to proclaiming, not for personal gain but for the glory of God. Teaching Points Proclaiming Christ, Not OurselvesOur message should always center on Jesus Christ as Lord. Personal agendas or self-promotion have no place in the proclamation of the Gospel. Servanthood as a Model for Ministry Like Paul, we are called to be servants for Jesus' sake. This means prioritizing the needs of others and the mission of the Gospel over our own desires. Humility in Leadership True Christian leadership is marked by humility and a focus on serving others, following the example of Christ. The Lordship of Christ Recognizing Jesus as Lord means submitting to His authority in every aspect of our lives and ministries. The Purpose of Our Service Our service is for Jesus' sake, meaning it is motivated by love for Him and a desire to see His kingdom advanced.(5) For we preach not ourselves.--The words, like those about "commending ourselves," imply a reference to something that had been said. He was charged with being egotistic in his preaching, perhaps with special reference to passages like 1Corinthians 2:1-4; 1Corinthians 3:1-10; 1Corinthians 4:11-13. He indignantly repudiates that charge. "Christ Jesus" had been all along the subject of his preaching. (Comp. 1Corinthians 2:2.) So far as he had spoken of himself at all, it had been as a minister and servant for their sake (1Corinthians 3:22-23; 1Corinthians 9:19). . . . Verse 5. - For we preach not ourselves. There is no glory or illumination on our faces, and we have no personal ends to gain, nor are we "lords" over your faith. This is, perhaps, meant as an answer to some charge of egotism. The Lord; rather, as Lord (Philippians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 12:3). Your servants; literally, your slaves (1 Corinthians 9:19). For Jesus' sake. So Christ had himself desired (Matthew 20:27). Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Forγὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. we do not proclaim κηρύσσομεν (kēryssomen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural Strong's 2784: To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth. ourselves, ἑαυτοὺς (heautous) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. Jesus Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. Christ Χριστὸν (Christon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. [as] Lord, Κύριον (Kyrion) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. and δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. ourselves ἑαυτοὺς (heautous) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. [as] your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. servants δούλους (doulous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave. for Jesus’ Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. sake. διὰ (dia) Preposition Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. Links 2 Corinthians 4:5 NIV2 Corinthians 4:5 NLT 2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV 2 Corinthians 4:5 NASB 2 Corinthians 4:5 KJV 2 Corinthians 4:5 BibleApps.com 2 Corinthians 4:5 Biblia Paralela 2 Corinthians 4:5 Chinese Bible 2 Corinthians 4:5 French Bible 2 Corinthians 4:5 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 4:5 For we don't preach ourselves but Christ (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) |
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