SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:12
¶ No nos encomendamos pues otra vez a vosotros, sino os damos ocasin de gloriaros por nosotros, para que tengis qu responder contra los que se glorían en las apariencias, y no en el corazn.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:12
Verse 12. For we commend not ourselves?] I do not say these things to bespeak your good opinion, to procure your praise; but to give you an occasion to glory-to exult on our behalf; and to furnish you with an answer to all those who either malign us or our ministry, and who only glory in appearance- have no solid ground of exultation, and whose heart is dishonest and impure. St. Paul probably speaks here concerning the false apostle, who had been dividing the Church and endeavouring to raise a party to himself, by vilifying both the apostle and his doctrine.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. For we commend not ourselves again to you , etc..] We have no need to do so, being well known to you; nor do we intend it when we thus speak of ourselves, and of our ministrations: but give you occasion to glory on our behalf ; suggest some things to you which you may make use of in our favour, for the vindicating of our characters and conduct: that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart ; by whom are meant the false apostles who gloried in an outward show, in their learning, eloquence, and popular applause they had acquired, and not in the sincerity of their hearts, and the testimony of a good conscience, things which the true apostles of Christ were most ambitious of.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-15 - The apostle quickens himself and others to acts of duty. Well-grounde hopes of heaven will not encourage sloth and sinful security. Let all consider the judgment to come, which is called, The terror of the Lord Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the worker of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument an persuasion, to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as his disciples. Their zeal and diligence were for the glory of God and the good of the church. Christ's love to us will have a like effect upo us, if duly considered and rightly judged. All were lost and undone dead and ruined, slaves to sin, having no power to deliver themselves and must have remained thus miserable for ever, if Christ had not died We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the end of our living an actions. A Christian's life should be devoted to Christ. Alas, how man show the worthlessness of their professed faith and love, by living to themselves and to the world!
Greek Textus Receptus
ου 3756 PRT-N γαρ 1063 CONJ παλιν 3825 ADV εαυτους 1438 F-3APM συνιστανομεν 4921 5719 V-PAI-1P υμιν 5213 P-2DP αλλα 235 CONJ αφορμην 874 N-ASF διδοντες 1325 5723 V-PAP-NPM υμιν 5213 P-2DP καυχηματος 2745 N-GSN υπερ 5228 PREP ημων 2257 P-1GP ινα 2443 CONJ εχητε 2192 5725 V-PAS-2P προς 4314 PREP τους 3588 T-APM εν 1722 PREP προσωπω 4383 N-DSN καυχωμενους 2744 5740 V-PNP-APM και 2532 CONJ ου 3756 PRT-N καρδια 2588 N-DSF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:12 {As giving you occasion of glorying} (aformen didontes humin kaucematos). An old Greek word (apo, horme, onset, rush), a base of operations, material with which to glory, as we say "a tip" only much more. {That ye may have wherewith to answer} (hina ecete pros). Literally, "That ye may have something against (for facing those, etc.)." Paul wishes his champions in Corinth to know the facts. {In appearance, and not in heart} (en proswpwi kai me en kardiai). He means the Judaizers who were braggarts about their orthodox Judaism.
