2 Corinthians 12:15
New International Version
So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?

New Living Translation
I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.

English Standard Version
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

Berean Standard Bible
And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?

Berean Literal Bible
Now I will spend most gladly, and will be utterly spent, for your souls. If loving you more abundantly, am I loved less?

King James Bible
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

New King James Version
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

New American Standard Bible
I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

NASB 1995
I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

NASB 1977
And I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you the more, am I to be loved the less?

Legacy Standard Bible
So I will most gladly spend and be fully spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

Amplified Bible
But I will very gladly spend [my own resources] and be utterly spent for your souls. If I love you greatly, am I to be loved less [by you]?

Christian Standard Bible
I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

American Standard Version
And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

Contemporary English Version
So I will gladly give all I have and all I am. Will you love me less for loving you too much?

English Revised Version
And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will be very glad to spend whatever I have. I'll even give myself for you. Do you love me less because I love you so much?

Good News Translation
I will be glad to spend all I have, and myself as well, in order to help you. Will you love me less because I love you so much?

International Standard Version
I will be very glad to spend my money and myself for you. Do you love me less because I love you so much?

Majority Standard Bible
And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?

NET Bible
Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives! If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

New Heart English Bible
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

Webster's Bible Translation
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

Weymouth New Testament
And as for me, most gladly will I spend all I have and be utterly spent for your salvation.

World English Bible
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I will most gladly spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, loving you more abundantly, I am loved less.

Berean Literal Bible
Now I will spend most gladly, and will be utterly spent, for your souls. If loving you more abundantly, am I loved less?

Young's Literal Translation
and I most gladly will spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, more abundantly loving you, less I am loved.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I very willingly will expend and be expended for your souls; if also loving you more abundantly, the less I should be loved.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls; although loving you more, I be loved less.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, very willingly, I will spend and exhaust myself for the sake of your souls, loving you more, while being loved less.

New American Bible
I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your sakes. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

New Revised Standard Version
I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I will gladly pay my expenses, and I will even give myself for the sake of your souls; though the more I love you, the less you love me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But I cheerfully also shall spend and I would even give up my person for the sake of your souls, even though, the more I love you, the less you love me.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I, indeed, will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

Godbey New Testament
But I will most delightfully spend and be spent for your souls. If the more abundantly I love you am I loved the less?

Haweis New Testament
And I will most cheerfully spend and be spent for your souls, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

Mace New Testament
I shall be glad to sacrifice myself and all I have for your service, even tho' it should happen that the more I love you, the less I should be beloved.

Weymouth New Testament
And as for me, most gladly will I spend all I have and be utterly spent for your salvation.

Worrell New Testament
And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I to be loved the less?

Worsley New Testament
And I will with the greatest pleasure spend and be spent for your souls; even though the more I love you, the less I should be loved.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Concern for the Corinthians
14See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.…

Cross References
Philippians 2:17
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

1 Thessalonians 2:8
We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.

Galatians 4:19
My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

Romans 9:3
For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,

1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:16
By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Acts 20:24
But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Romans 1:14-15
I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. / That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

2 Corinthians 1:6
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide. / It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained. / As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.

2 Timothy 2:10
For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Exodus 32:32
Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”


Treasury of Scripture

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

will.

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 1:6,14
And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation…

2 Corinthians 2:3
And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

you.

2 Corinthians 12:14
Behold, 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.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

though.

2 Corinthians 6:12,13
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels…

2 Samuel 13:39
And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

2 Samuel 17:1-4
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: …

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2 Corinthians 12
1. For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations,
9. yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities;
11. blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting.
14. He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father;
20. although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there.














And for the sake of your souls,
Paul's primary concern is the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian believers. This reflects the pastoral heart of Paul, who consistently prioritizes the salvation and spiritual growth of his converts. The phrase "for the sake of your souls" underscores the eternal perspective Paul holds, valuing spiritual health over material or temporal concerns. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 16:26 about the value of the soul over worldly gain.

I will most gladly spend my money and myself.
Paul expresses his willingness to sacrifice both his financial resources and personal energy for the Corinthians. This selflessness is a hallmark of Christian leadership, echoing the example of Christ, who gave Himself for humanity (Philippians 2:5-8). The use of "spend" and "myself" indicates total commitment, reminiscent of the sacrificial love described in John 15:13. Paul's actions contrast with the false apostles who sought personal gain from the Corinthians.

If I love you more,
Paul's increasing love for the Corinthians is evident despite their challenges and criticisms. This reflects the unconditional love that is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and mirrors the love of Christ for the church (Ephesians 5:25). Paul's love is not contingent on the Corinthians' response, demonstrating a mature, Christ-like love that seeks the best for others regardless of personal cost.

will you love me less?
Here, Paul addresses the paradox of his relationship with the Corinthians. Despite his deep love and sacrifices, he faces the possibility of their diminishing affection. This rhetorical question highlights the tension and misunderstanding in their relationship. It serves as a call for the Corinthians to reflect on their response to genuine apostolic care. This situation is reminiscent of Israel's relationship with God, where despite His steadfast love, they often turned away (Hosea 11:1-4). Paul's question challenges the Corinthians to reciprocate the love and commitment he has shown them.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth. He is expressing his willingness to sacrifice for their spiritual well-being.

2. The Corinthian Church
The recipients of the letter, the church in Corinth was a diverse and often troubled congregation that Paul had a deep pastoral concern for.

3. Paul's Apostolic Ministry
This event refers to Paul's ongoing mission to spread the Gospel and nurture the early Christian communities, often at great personal cost.
Teaching Points
Sacrificial Love
Paul exemplifies Christ-like love by being willing to "spend and be fully spent" for others. This challenges us to consider how we can sacrificially love and serve those around us.

Unconditional Commitment
Despite the Corinthians' lack of reciprocation, Paul remains committed to their spiritual growth. This teaches us to remain steadfast in our commitments, even when they are not appreciated.

Joy in Service
Paul finds joy in his sacrifices, which encourages us to find joy in serving others, knowing that our labor is not in vain.

Selfless Leadership
Paul’s example is a model for Christian leaders to prioritize the spiritual well-being of their flock over personal gain or recognition.

Love Beyond Rejection
Paul’s rhetorical question about being loved less despite loving more challenges us to love others even when it is not returned.(15) And I will very gladly spend and be spent.--The pronoun is emphatic, I, for my part. The latter verb implies spending to the last farthing. As he sought not theirs, but them, so he is ready to spend for them not only all that he has, but even, as if to the verge of exhaustion, all that he is. And yet with all this there was the painful consciousness of toiling without adequate return. It seemed to him, in his intense craving for affection, as if their love varied inversely with his own.

Verse 15. - Spend and be spent; rather, spend and be outspent, or spent to the uttermost (Philippians 2:17).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

for the sake of
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

souls,
ψυχῶν (psychōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

{will} most gladly
ἥδιστα (hēdista)
Adverb - Superlative
Strong's 2236: Most gladly, most pleasantly. Neuter plural of the superlative of the same as hedeos; with great pleasure.

spend my money
δαπανήσω (dapanēsō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1159: To spend, bear expense, waste, squander. From dapane; to expend, i.e. to incur cost, or to waste.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[myself].
ἐκδαπανηθήσομαι (ekdapanēthēsomai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1550: To spend (give out) completely, exhaust. From ek and dapanao; to expend, i.e. exhaust.

If
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

I love
ἀγαπῶν (agapōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

more,
περισσοτέρως (perissoterōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4057: Greatly, exceedingly, abundantly, vehemently. Adverb from perissos; superabundantly.

will [you] love me
ἀγαπῶμαι (agapōmai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

less?
ἧσσον (hēsson)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 2276: Lesser, inferior, weaker. Neuter of comparative of heka used for that of kakos; worse; by implication, less.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 12:15 I will most gladly spend and be (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 12:14
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