2 COR 12:18 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) I urged Titos to go there along with another believer. Surely Titos must have exploited you all? No, didn’t we all do the same things as guided by the same spirit.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT I urged Titus to go and sent the other brother with him. Unless Titus took advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same footsteps?

UST For example, I asked Titus to visit you, and I had a fellow believer go with him. You know that Titus did not cheat you. He and I live the same way and do the same things.

12:18 Literally Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Not in the same footsteps?

BLB I urged Titus to go, and sent with him our brother. Did Titus exploit you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Not in the same steps?

AICNT I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not follow the same footsteps?

OEB I urged Titus to go, and I sent another follower with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we live in the same Spirit, and tread in the same footsteps?

WEBBE I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET I urged Titus to visit you and I sent our brother along with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not behave in the same way?

LSV I begged Titus, and sent with [him] the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Did we not [walk] in the same steps?

FBV I urged Titus to go and see you, and I sent another brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? No, we both have the same spirit and use the same methods.

TCNT I urged Titus to visit you and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit and in the same footsteps?

T4T Titus went and visited you because I urged him to do so. I also sent the other believer, whom you know, to go with Titus. You know that Titus did not [RHQ] trick you in order to get money from you. And you certainly know that he and I have always [RHQ] acted in exactly the same honest way towards you.

LEB I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he?[fn] Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit?[fn] Did we not walk in the same footsteps?[fn]

12:18 *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here

12:18 *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a positive answer here

BBE I gave orders to Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus make any profit out of you? were we not guided by the same Spirit, in the same ways?

Moff I asked Titus to go, and with him I sent our brother. Titus did not make anything out of you, did he? And did not I act in the same spirit as he did? Did I not take the very same steps?

Wymth I begged Titus to visit you, and sent our other brother with him. Did Titus gain any selfish advantage over you? Were not he and I guided by one and the same Spirit, and did we not walk in the same steps?

ASV I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

DRA I desired Titus, and I sent with him a brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? did we not in the same steps?

YLT I entreated Titus, and did send with [him] the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? in the same spirit did we not walk? — did we not in the same steps?

Drby I begged Titus, and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? [have we] not in the same steps?

RV I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not by the same Spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

SLT I called for Titus, and sent with a brother. Has Titus taken advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? not in the same steps?

Wbstr I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

KJB-1769 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

KJB-1611 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother: did Titus make a gaine of you? Walked wee not in the same spirit? walked wee not in the same steps?
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from marking of added words (and possibly capitalisation and punctuation))

Bshps I desired Titus, and with hym I sent a brother: Dyd Titus defraude you of any thyng? Haue we not walked in the same spirite? not in the same steppes?
(I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother: Did Titus defraud you of anything? Have we not walked in the same spirite? not in the same steps?)

Gnva I haue desired Titus, and with him I haue sent a brother: did Titus pill you of any thing? walked we not in the selfe same spirit? walked we not in the same steppes?
(I have desired Titus, and with him I have sent a brother: did Titus pill you of anything? walked we not in the self-same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? )

Cvdl I desyred Titus, & with him I sent a brother: dyd Titus defraude you? Haue we not walked in one sprete? Wete we not in like fotesteppes?
(I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother: did Titus defraud you? Have we not walked in one sprete? Wete we not in like footsteps?)

TNT I desyred Titus and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus defraude you of eny thynge? walked we not in one sprete? walked we not in lyke steppes?
(I desired Titus and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus defraud you of any thing? walked we not in one sprete? walked we not in like steps? )

Wycl Y preiede Tite, and Y sente with hym a brother. Whether Tite begilide you? whether we yeden not in the same spirit? whether not in the same steppis?
(I prayed Tite, and I sent with him a brother. Whether Tite begilide you? whether we went not in the same spirit? whether not in the same steps?)

Luth Ich habe Titus ermahnet und mit ihm gesandt einen Bruder. Hat euch auch Titus übervorteilet? Haben wir nicht in einem Geist gewandelt? Sind wir nicht in einerlei Fußtapfen gegangen?
(I have Titus admonished/rebuked and with him sent a brother. Hat you also Titus exploitationt? Have we/us not in on spirit changed? Are we/us not in no_matter footsteps went/gone?)

ClVg Rogavi Titum, et misi cum illo fratrem. Numquid Titus vos circumvenit? nonne eodem spiritu ambulavimus? nonne iisdem vestigiis?
(Rogavi Titum, and I_sent when/with that/there brother. Is_it Titus you(pl) circumvenit? isn't_it the_same in_spirit we_walked? isn't_it to_themdem vestigiis? )

UGNT παρεκάλεσα Τίτον καὶ συναπέστειλα τὸν ἀδελφόν. μήτι ἐπλεονέκτησεν ὑμᾶς Τίτος? οὐ τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι περιεπατήσαμεν οὐ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσιν?
(parekalesa Titon kai sunapesteila ton adelfon. maʸti epleonektaʸsen humas Titos? ou tōi autōi pneumati periepataʸsamen ou tois autois iⱪnesin?)

SBL-GNT παρεκάλεσα Τίτον καὶ συναπέστειλα τὸν ἀδελφόν· μήτι ἐπλεονέκτησεν ὑμᾶς Τίτος; οὐ τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι περιεπατήσαμεν; οὐ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσιν;
(parekalesa Titon kai sunapesteila ton adelfon; maʸti epleonektaʸsen humas Titos; ou tōi autōi pneumati periepataʸsamen; ou tois autois iⱪnesin;)

RP-GNT Παρεκάλεσα Τίτον, καὶ συναπέστειλα τὸν ἀδελφόν· μήτι ἐπλεονέκτησεν ὑμᾶς Τίτος; Οὐ τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι περιεπατήσαμεν; Οὐ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσιν;
(Parekalesa Titon, kai sunapesteila ton adelfon; maʸti epleonektaʸsen humas Titos; Ou tōi autōi pneumati periepataʸsamen; Ou tois autois iⱪnesin;)

TC-GNT Παρεκάλεσα Τίτον, καὶ συναπέστειλα τὸν ἀδελφόν· μήτι ἐπλεονέκτησεν ὑμᾶς Τίτος; Οὐ τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι περιεπατήσαμεν; Οὐ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσι;
(Parekalesa Titon, kai sunapesteila ton adelfon; maʸti epleonektaʸsen humas Titos; Ou tōi autōi pneumati periepataʸsamen; Ou tois autois iⱪnesi; )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:11–21: Proof that Paul was an apostle and his concern for the believers

In this section, the attitude of some believers in Corinth forced Paul to act foolishly and boast (12:11a). Paul knew he deserved praise from them and was better than the false teachers even though humanly speaking he deserved nothing (12:11b–d). Paul reminded the believers of all that he had done among them that proved he was an apostle (12:12). He asked them if they were angry at him with a rhetorical question and, using irony, told them that they should not be angry (12:13).

He told them that he would continue to avoid accepting their money for his support and explained why (12:14). He told them of his great love for them (12:15).

Using irony, Paul told them that he had not deceived them (12:16) and that his colleagues had not exploited them either (12:17–18). He explained that he had not been defending himself, but rather he was teaching them to be strong in their faith (12:19). He told them of some of his fears about them (12:20–21).

Other examples for this section heading are:

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthian Church (NRSV)

Paul loved the believers in Corinth

Paul reminded the believers in Corinth about his deeds and explained his worry for them

Paul defended his apostleship and spoke about his concern for the believers

12:18a

I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him.

I urged Titus and he went and visited you^(plur). And I sent our^(incl) other brother with him.
For example, I urged Titus to go and sent our fellow-believer with him.

I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him: This sentence refers to one of the times that Paul had sent someone (12:17). The visit of Titus was important to Paul. Of all of Paul’s coworkers, the believers in Corinth perhaps knew Titus the best and trusted him the most. So Paul used the example of Titus to show clearly that the believers could trust Paul as well.

In some languages it will not be clear that 12:18 is an example of what Paul said in 12:17. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the connection in your translation. For example:

In particular, I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him

For example, I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him

brother: Here the word brother refers to a believer. The word indicates a close relationship, because all believers are children of God. See how you translated this word in 1:1 or 11:9.

Paul did not name this believer, but the believers in Corinth knew him.

12:18b

Did Titus exploit you in any way?

Did Titus take advantage of you? Of course not!
Titus certainly did not exploit you!

Did Titus exploit you in any way?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the meaning, “Titus did not exploit you in any way.” Translate in a way that emphasizes that meaning. Some ways to translate this are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
did Titus take advantage of you? No! (NLT)
Would you say that Titus took advantage of you? (GNT)
As a statement. For example:
Titus certainly did not exploit you!
Assuredly Titus did not take advantage of you!

12:18c

Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?

Did we^(excl,dual) not act the same way towards you? Did we not take the same steps/path regarding you?
We certainly had the same motives and behaved the same way in relating to you!

Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?: There are two issues here.

Issue 1: Interpretation

There are two ways to interpret the word Spirit:

It refers to attitudes about things. Paul and Titus had the same attitude about relating to the believers. For example:
Do not he and I act from the very same motives and behave in the same way? (GNT) (RSV, NIV, GNT, NASB, NABRE, NLT, GW, CEV, NET, NCV, ESV, KJV)
It refers to the Holy Spirit. For example:
Have we not both been guided by the same Spirit, and followed the same course? (REB) (BSB, NJB, REB, NLT96)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).Harris (p. 892) says it refers here to a “disposition of mind.” Thrall (p. 855) says it refers here to the “human disposition.” Martin (p. 449) says it is “parallel with ‘in the same steps’.”

Issue 2: Rhetorical Question

This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the meaning of “we acted in the same spirit and follow the same course.” Translate in a way that emphasizes that meaning. Some ways to translate this are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Did we not conduct ourselves with the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps? (NRSV)
Didn’t we have the same motives and do things the same way? (GW)
As a statement. For example:
Indeed, we acted in the same spirit and follow the same course!
We certainly have the same motives and do things the same way!

walk in the same Spirit: This phrase refers to relating to the believers in the same way. Both Paul and Titus had the same attitudes towards the believers in Corinth. Other ways to translate this are:

act from the very same motives (GNT)

have the same heart

follow in the same footsteps: This phrase refers to doing things in the same way. Paul and Titus related to the believers in Corinth in the same manner. Other ways to translate this are:

behave in the same way (GNT)

walked the same path/track

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

παρεκάλεσα Τίτον καὶ συναπέστειλα τὸν ἀδελφόν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Παρεκάλεσα Τίτον καί συναπέστειλα τόν ἀδελφόν Μήτι ἐπλεονέκτησεν ὑμᾶς Τίτος Οὒ τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι περιεπατήσαμεν οὒ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσιν)

Here Paul refers to a trip Titus took previously to visit the Corinthians. He is probably referring to the visit he mentions in [8:6](../08/06.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that refers to a trip that has already been completed. Alternate translation: [I urged Titus to go to you previously, and I sent the other brother with him]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

τὸν ἀδελφόν

Here Paul assumes that the Corinthians know who this brother is, so he does not name him. Since we do not know who this person was, you should not make the idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [a brother] or [the brother you know]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὸν ἀδελφόν

Paul is using the term brother to mean a person who shares the same faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the other believer]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

μήτι ἐπλεονέκτησεν ὑμᾶς Τίτος?

Paul is using the question form to remind the Corinthians that Titus did not take advantage of them. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You remember that Titus did not take advantage of you.] or [Titus did not take advantage of you!]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

οὐ τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι περιεπατήσαμεν οὐ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσιν?

Paul is using the question form to remind the Corinthians that Titus behaved in the same ways that Paul did. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate these as statements or exclamations. Alternate translation: [You remember that we walked in the same spirit, and we walked in the same footsteps.] or [We walked in the same spirit! We walked in the same footsteps!]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

οὐ & περιεπατήσαμεν οὐ

Here, the word we refers to Titus and Paul only. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [Did Titus and I not walk … Did Titus and I not walk]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οὐ τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι περιεπατήσαμεν

Paul speaks of behavior in life as if it were walking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Did we not behave according to the same spirit] or [Did we not live in the same spirit]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύματι

˱in˲_the same spirit

Here, the word spirit could refer to: (1) the spirit of a person, which refers to the inner life of a person, that is, how that person thinks, feels, and makes decisions. Alternate translation: [in the same mind] or [in the same heart] (2) the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: [in the same Holy Spirit]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οὐ τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἴχνεσιν?

Here Paul speaks as if he and Titus walked on the same path so closely together that the person walking behind stepped in the footsteps of the person in front. He means that they did and said very similar things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Did we not act in the same ways] or [Did we not behave in very similar ways]

Parallel 2 COR 12:18

Section 12:11–21: Proof that Paul was an apostle and his concern for the believers

12:18a

12:18b

12:18c

Parallel 2 COR 12:18