Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
2 Corinthians 12:14 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 14. 14Behold, 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.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse announces readiness for a third visit, seeks the people rather than their possessions, and uses a parent-child provision analogy.
Signs happened, yet the distinctive proof he wants remembered is that he did not feed on them.
This verse is one part of that explanation in 2 Corinthians 12:11–18. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 2 Corinthians 12:11–18
Read 2 Corinthians 12:14 with 12:11–18. This verse announces readiness for a third visit, seeks the people rather than their possessions, and uses a parent-child provision analogy. The complete unit establishes this movement: Paul says Corinth should have commended him: apostolic signs occurred with endurance, yet his distinctive policy was not burdening them; he seeks the people rather than their possessions and answers allegations of indirect financial gain through Titus's matching conduct.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The unit brings the fool's speech back to verifiable signs, financial practice, and relational purpose. Within that movement, this verse announces readiness for a third visit, seeks the people rather than their possessions, and uses a parent-child provision analogy.
Follow the Context
- Paul calls the boast foolish and says Corinth should have commended him.
- Signs of an apostle occurred with endurance, signs, wonders, and powers.
- Corinth was not inferior except that Paul was not a financial burden.
- The coming third visit seeks people, not possessions.
- A parent-child analogy supports Paul's willingness to spend himself.
- He voices the accusation that indirect guile hid his gain.
- Questions about envoys and Titus appeal to shared conduct and steps.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you”
In plain language: Pastoral care should seek persons rather than extract resources.
announces readiness for a third visit, seeks the people rather than their possessions, and uses a parent-child provision analogy. Pastoral care should seek persons rather than extract resources.
Why it matters: The wording carries interpretive or ethical risk that requires the full unit and its stated limits.
How certain? strongWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
Parental language does not make adults dependents to control or resources to own.
What Remains True
Pastoral care should seek persons rather than extract resources.
How It Can Shape Life
- Design visits and services around people's good, not fundraising access.
Teach It Back
Explain how 2 Corinthians 12:14 contributes to 2 Corinthians 12:11–18. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 2 Corinthians 12:11–18 — Signs, Parental Care, and Shared Financial IntegritySources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Corinthians 12:11–18, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 2Co.txt, 12:11–18
Open the 2 Corinthians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - 2 Corinthians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 2 Corinthians chapter print views, 12:11–18, including attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open NET 2 Corinthians 12 notesmodern open commentary
2 Corinthians
Peter Balla
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: Whole-letter setting, literary movement, Greek observations, and passage-level evangelical interpretation.
Exact location: Balla, TGC Bible Commentary, 2 Corinthians, introduction and section on 12:11–18
Open source ↗modern annotated new testament
2 Corinthians introduction and annotations in The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Alan J. Avery-Peck; edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler
Oxford University Press, 2011
Supports: Jewish and Greco-Roman context, scriptural echoes, composition questions, and concise verse-level alternatives.
Exact location: Avery-Peck, Jewish Annotated New Testament, print pp. 315–331, introduction and annotations on 12:11–18
Open source ↗peer reviewed open access social scientific study
The Social Construction of Paul's Apostolic Leadership in Corinth
Jack Barentsen
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 74.4, 2018
Supports: Social-scientific analysis of negotiated authority, community response, suffering, patronage, collection, and unity claims.
Exact location: Barentsen, 'The Social Construction of Paul's Apostolic Leadership in Corinth,' HTS 74.4 (2018), article a5191, pp. 1–13
Open source ↗Lexical and grammatical evidence
STEP Bible Data
Tyndale House Cambridge
Tyndale House Cambridge, repository snapshot verified 2026
Supports: Independent morphology, form, and lexical-range cross-check for material Greek claims.
Exact location: STEP Bible Data repository, Greek morphology and lexical records for 2 Corinthians 12:11–18
Open source ↗