2 COR 7:12 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) So if I also wrote to you all, not on account of the one having done wrong, nor on account of the one having been wronged, but on account of your earnestness that would be revealed to us all before God,

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, 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 So even though I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one having done wrong, nor for the sake of the one having suffered wrong, but so that your earnestness which is on our behalf might be revealed to you before God.

UST So then, when I sent the previous letter to you, I was not primarily dealing with the person who did what was wrong. Also, I was not primarily dealing with the person whom he hurt. Rather, I intended to show you how eager you are to act rightly toward us and that God approves of this.

MSB So even though I wrote to you, [it was] not on account of the [one who] did wrong [or] the [one who] was harmed, but rather that your earnestness on our behalf[fn] would be made clear to you in the sight of God.

7:12 Scrivener TR our earnestness on your behalf

BLB So even if I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one having done wrong, nor for the sake of the one having suffered wrong, but rather for the sake of your earnestness for us being revealed to you before God.

AICNT So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, nor on account of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

OEB So, then, even though I did write to you, it was not for the sake of the wrongdoer, or of the man who was wronged, but to make you conscious, in the sight of God, of your own earnest care for us. And it is this that has encouraged us.

WEBBE So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET So then, even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong, or on account of the one who was wronged, but to reveal to you your eagerness on our behalf before God.

LSV If, then, I also wrote to you—not for his cause who did wrong, nor for his cause who suffered wrong, but for our diligence in your behalf being revealed to you before God—

FBV So when I wrote to you, I wasn't writing about who did the wrong or who was wronged, but to show you how devoted you are to us in God's sight.

TCNT So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, nor on account of the one who was wronged, but so that [fn]your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

7:12 your earnestness for us ¦ our earnestness for you SCR

T4T So, even though I wrote that severe letter to you, I did not write it just so that you would punish the man who had done what was wrong. Also, I did not write it for the benefit of the person whom he had wronged. Instead, I wrote it so that, when you read the letter, God would enable you to realize how much you really do respect my authority.

LEB Consequently, even if I wrote to you, it was not because of the one who did wrong or because of the one who had been wronged, but in order that your diligence _⌊on our behalf_⌋[fn] might be revealed to you before God.

7:12 Literally “on behalf of us”

BBE So though I sent you a letter, it was not only because of the man who did the wrong, or because of him to whom the wrong was done, but so that your true care for us might be made clear in the eyes of God.

Moff So my letter was written to you, not on account of the offender nor for the sake of the injured party, but in order to let you realize before God how seriously you do care for me.

Wymth Therefore, though I wrote to you, it was not to punish the offender, nor to secure justice for him who had suffered the wrong, but it was chiefly in order that your earnest feeling on our behalf might become manifest to yourselves in the sight of God.

ASV So although I wrote unto you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God.

DRA Wherefore although I wrote to you, it was not for his sake that I did the wrong, nor for him that suffered it; but to manifest our carefulness that we have for you

YLT If, then, I also wrote to you — not for his cause who did wrong, nor for his cause who did suffer wrong, but for our diligence in your behalf being manifested unto you before God —

Drby So then, if also I wrote to you, [it was] not for the sake of him that injured, nor for the sake of him that was injured, but for the sake of our diligent zeal for you being manifested to you before [fn]God.

7.12 Elohim

RV So although I wrote unto you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God.

SLT Wherefore, if I also wrote to you, not for him having been unjust, for him having suffered injustice, but that your care for us might be made manifest to you before God.

Wbstr Wherefore, though I wrote to you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.

KJB-1769 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

KJB-1611 Wherefore though I wrote vnto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appeare vnto you.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps Wherefore, though I wrote vnto you, I dyd it not for his cause that had done the hurt, neither for his cause that was hurt: but that your good minde to vswarde myght appeare among you in the syght of God.
(Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the hurt, neither for his cause that was hurt: but that your good mind to uswarde might appear among you in the sight of God.)

Gnva Wherefore, though I wrote vnto you, I did not it for his cause that had done the wrong, neither for his cause that had the iniurie, but that our care toward you in the sight of God might appeare vnto you.
(Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did not it for his cause that had done the wrong, neither for his cause that had the injurie, but that our care toward you in the sight of God might appear unto you. )

Cvdl Wherfore though I wrote vnto you, yet is it not done for his cause that dyd hurte, nether for his cause that was hurte, but that youre diligence (which ye haue for vs in the sighte of God) mighte be manifest wt you.
(Wherefore though I wrote unto you, yet is it not done for his cause that did hurt, neither for his cause that was hurt, but that your(pl) diligence (which ye/you_all have for us in the sight of God) might be manifest with you.)

TNT Wherfore though I wrote vnto you I did it not for his cause that did hurte nether for his cause that was hurte: but that oure good mynde whych we have towarde you in the sight of god myght appere vnto you.
(Wherefore though I wrote unto you I did it not for his cause that did hurt neither for his cause that was hurt: but that our good mind whych we have toward you in the sight of god might appear unto you. )

Wycl Therfor thouy Y wroot to you, Y wroot not for hym that dide the iniurie, nether for hym that suffride, but to schewe oure bisinesse, which we han for you bifor God.
(Therefore though I wrote to you, I wrote not for him that did the injurie, neither for him that suffered, but to show our bisiness, which we have for you before God.)

Luth Darum, ob ich euch geschrieben habe, so ist‘s doch nicht geschehen um deswillen, der beleidiget hat, auch nicht um deswillen, der beleidiget ist, sondern um deswillen, daß euer Fleiß gegen uns offenbar würde bei euch vor GOtt.
(Therefore, if/whether I you written have, so it_is though/but not happen around/by/for therefore, the/of_the insulted/offended has, also not around/by/for therefore, the/of_the insulted/offended is, rather around/by/for therefore, that your(pl) diligence to/against us/to_us/ourselves apparently would at/in you before/in_front_of God.)

ClVg Igitur, etsi scripsi vobis, non propter eum qui fecit injuriam, nec propter eum qui passus est: sed ad manifestandam sollicitudinem nostram, quam habemus pro vobis[fn]
(Igitur, even_though I_wrote to_you(pl), not/no because him who/which he_did injury, but_not because him who/which suffered it_is: but to obviousndam anxietym ours, how we_have for to_you(pl) )

7.12 Qui fecit injuriam. Ut ille qui incestum fecit. Vel illos tangit quos superius in prima. Epistola injurias et fraudes fratribus fecisse dixit. Et ostendit non magis causa eorum qui peccaverunt scripsisse remitti eis, quam causa Ecclesiæ quæ omni contumeliam aut fraudem patienti compatitur et indignatur. Et hoc est quod ait: Igitur etsi scripsi vobis, non tantum propter eum qui fecit injuriam, id est fraudem proximo suo, nec propter eum qui passus est fraudem, sed ad manifestandam sollicitudinem nostram, quam, etc. Totius populi sollicitudinem se habere ostendit, ut scilicet injusti emendentur et polluti sanctificentur, et Ecclesiæ reconcilientur.

7.12 Who he_did injury. As he/that_one who/which incestum he_did. Or those touches which above in/into/on prima. Epistola injurias and fraudes brothers have_done he/she_said. And he_showed not/no more cause their who/which they_sinned I_wrotesse remitti to_them, how cause Assemblies/Churches which all insult or fraudem patienti compatitur and indignatur. And this it_is that he_said: Therefore even_though I_wrote to_you(pl), non only because him who/which he_did injury, that it_is fraudem the_next his_own, but_not because him who/which suffered it_is fraudem, but to obviousndam anxietym ours, how, etc. Totius of_the_people anxietym himself to_have he_showed, as namely injusti emendentur and polluted sanctificentur, and Assemblies/Churches reconcilientur.

UGNT ἄρα εἰ καὶ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν, οὐχ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικήσαντος, οὐδὲ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικηθέντος, ἀλλ’ ἕνεκεν τοῦ φανερωθῆναι τὴν σπουδὴν ὑμῶν, τὴν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ.
(ara ei kai egrapsa humin, ouⱪ heneken tou adikaʸsantos, oude heneken tou adikaʸthentos, all’ heneken tou fanerōthaʸnai taʸn spoudaʸn humōn, taʸn huper haʸmōn pros humas enōpion tou Theou.)

SBL-GNT ἄρα εἰ καὶ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν, οὐχ ⸀ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικήσαντος, ⸀οὐδὲ ⸁ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικηθέντος, ἀλλʼ ⸀1ἕνεκεν τοῦ φανερωθῆναι τὴν σπουδὴν ὑμῶν τὴν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.
(ara ei kai egrapsa humin, ouⱪ ⸀heneken tou adikaʸsantos, ⸀oude ⸁heneken tou adikaʸthentos, allʼ ⸀1heneken tou fanerōthaʸnai taʸn spoudaʸn humōn taʸn huper haʸmōn pros humas enōpion tou theou.)

RP-GNT Ἄρα εἰ καὶ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν, οὐχ εἵνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικήσαντος, οὐδὲ εἵνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικηθέντος, ἀλλ' εἵνεκεν τοῦ φανερωθῆναι τὴν σπουδὴν ὑμῶν τὴν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.
(Ara ei kai egrapsa humin, ouⱪ heineken tou adikaʸsantos, oude heineken tou adikaʸthentos, all' heineken tou fanerōthaʸnai taʸn spoudaʸn humōn taʸn huper haʸmōn pros humas enōpion tou theou.)

TC-GNT Ἄρα εἰ καὶ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν, οὐχ [fn]εἵνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικήσαντος, [fn]οὐδὲ [fn]εἵνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικηθέντος, ἀλλ᾽ [fn]εἵνεκεν τοῦ φανερωθῆναι τὴν σπουδὴν [fn]ὑμῶν τὴν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ.
(Ara ei kai egrapsa humin, ouⱪ heineken tou adikaʸsantos, oude heineken tou adikaʸthentos, all heineken tou fanerōthaʸnai taʸn spoudaʸn humōn taʸn huper haʸmōn pros humas enōpion tou Theou. )

7:12 εινεκεν ¦ ενεκεν 𝔐^pt CT

7:12 ουδε ¦ αλλ ουδε WH

7:12 εινεκεν ¦ ενεκεν 𝔐^pt CT

7:12 υμων την υπερ ημων ¦ ημων την υπερ υμων SCR

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 7:5–16: Paul was glad that the believers repented

In this section, Paul explained why he had great joy. Earlier he had sent Titus to Corinth because he wanted to know what the believers there were doing and whether they still accepted him. Paul had then gone to Macedonia, a northern province of Greece (7:5). He had met Titus there (7:6), and Titus had reported that the believers still accepted Paul and loved him (7:7a–d).

Then, in 7:8–9, Paul wrote that he was happy because the believers had responded properly to his earlier stern letter (also mentioned in 2:1–4; see also the section on “Paul’s letters to the Corinthians” in the introduction to these Notes). Paul explained the proper results of repentance (7:10–11). Lastly, Paul told them the reason for writing that letter (7:12–13a).

Then Paul told them that he was both encouraged and happy that they had responded properly to Titus (7:13b–16).

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul’s Joy (NIV)

Paul’s joy at the repentance of the Corinthians

Titus’ news comforts Paul and makes him happy

7:12a

So even though I wrote to you,

So, although I wrote earlier to you^(plur),
So I wrote that letter to you, but

even though I wrote to you: The phrase even though indicates that Paul did write, but he did not write for the purpose of punishing the wrongdoer (7:12b) or helping the person wronged (7:12c). Other ways to translate this clause are:

although I wrote to you (RSV)

when I wrote to you, I didn’t write because (GW)

I wrote that letter, not because of (NCV)

I wrote to you, but

I wrote to you: This clause refers to the severe letter that Paul wrote earlier. (See note on “my letter” in 7:8a.) Your translation should indicate or imply that same letter.

7:12b

it was not on account of the one who did wrong

it was not for the sake of the wrongdoer
I did not write for the purpose of dealing with the person who did the wrong,

it was not on account of the one who did wrong: This clause probably refers to the person mentioned in 2:5–8. The main purpose of Paul writing the severe letter was something other than commanding the believers to punish the wrongdoer. Other ways to translate this clause are:

it was not for the sake of the offender (NJB)

My purpose…was not to write about who did the wrong (NLT)

I didn’t write because of the man who did the wrong (GW)

it wasn’t to accuse the one who was wrong (CEV)

7:12c

or the one who was harmed,

nor for the sake of the person he had wronged,
and I did not write for the person he hurt.

or the one who was harmed: The Greek word that the BSB translates as “on account of” in 7:12b also occurs here. The BSB does not repeat it here, but the English implies that meaning. In some languages it is necessary or more natural to have “on account of” in your translation here. For example:

nor on account of the one who suffered the wrong (RSV)

the one who was harmed: This phrase refers to the person who was sinned against. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the one offended (NJB)

who was wronged (NLT)

the man who was hurt by it (GW)

7:12d

but rather that your earnestness on our behalf would be made clear to you in the sight of God.

but rather I wrote earlier so that you would realize before God that you indeed earnestly support us^(excl) as your leaders.
Rather, I wrote that letter so that it would be plain to you in the sight of God how loyal you are to us.

but rather that your earnestness on our behalf would be made clear to you in the sight of God: The Greek words are literally “but on the account of making clear to yourselves before God your zeal/devotion for us.” It describes the real reason why Paul wrote. Other ways to translate this clause are:

but in order that your zeal for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God (RSV)

but to let you see for yourselves, in the sight of God, how deeply you really do care for us (JBP)

My aim in writing was to help to make plain to you, in the sight of God, how truly you are devoted to us. (REB)

your earnestness on our behalf would be made clear to you: This clause indicates that now the believers understood that they were fully committed to following Paul as their leader. Other ways to translate this clause are:

your zeal for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God (RSV)

to make plain to you, in God’s sight, how deep your devotion to us really is (GNT)

you yourselves should fully realise in the sight of God what concern you have for us (NJB)

your earnestness on our behalf: The Greek word that the BSB translates as earnestness is the same Greek word that the BSB translates as “earnestness” in 7:11b. Here the word refers to earnestly supporting Paul. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

your zeal for us (RSV)

your earnestness on our behalf (NASB)

loyal…to us (NLT)

in the sight of God: This phrase indicates that God was aware of what the believers experienced. Here is another way to translate this:

in God’s sight (GNT)

General Comment on 7:12a–d

In some languages it is more natural to have the positive reason (7:12d) before the negative reasons (7:12b–c). For example:

^12aSo I wrote to you ^12dso that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are, ^12band it was not on account of the one who did the wrong ^12cor of the injured party.

^12aSo I wrote to you ^12dso that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. ^12bI did not write to you on account of the one who did the wrong ^12cor on account of the injured party.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ἄρα

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἄρα εἰ καί ἔγραψα ὑμῖν οὐχ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικήσαντος οὐδέ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικηθέντος ἀλλʼ ἕνεκεν τοῦ φανερωθῆναι τήν σπουδήν ὑμῶν τήν ὑπέρ ἡμῶν πρός ὑμᾶς ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

Here, the word So introduces an inference or conclusion from what Paul said in [7:8–11](../07/08.md) about the letter and its results. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces an inference or conclusion. Alternate translation: [Therefore,] or [As you can see,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἔγραψα

˱I˲_wrote

Here, the phrase I wrote refers to the previous letter that Paul sent to the Corinthians. See how you translated “I wrote” in [2:3–4](../02/03.md). Alternate translation: [I wrote that letter] or [I sent the letter]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἀδικηθέντος

˓having_been˒_done_wrong

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who did the action, Paul implies that the person having done wrong did it. Alternate translation: [whom that person wronged]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

τοῦ φανερωθῆναι τὴν σπουδὴν ὑμῶν, τὴν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς

the_‹one› the_‹one› the_‹thing› ˓to_be˒_revealed ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἄρα εἰ καί ἔγραψα ὑμῖν οὐχ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικήσαντος οὐδέ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀδικηθέντος ἀλλʼ ἕνεκεν τοῦ φανερωθῆναι τήν σπουδήν ὑμῶν τήν ὑπέρ ἡμῶν πρός ὑμᾶς ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who did the action, Paul implies that he or his letter did it. Alternate translation: [I might reveal to you your earnestness which is on our behalf] or [my letter might reveal to you your earnestness which is on our behalf]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὴν σπουδὴν ὑμῶν, τὴν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of earnestness, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “earnest.” Alternate translation: [how earnest you are on our behalf]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ

before ¬the God

Here, Paul refers to something being revealed before God to indicate a close connection to God. See how you translated the phrase before God in [4:2](../04/02.md). The phrase could indicate that: (1) God testifies to or approves the Corinthians’ earnestness. Alternate translation: [with God testifying to it] (2) the Corinthians recognize their earnestness when they are in God’s presence. Alternate translation: [in God’s presence]