2 Corinthians 5:12 (KJV)

Passage

For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

2 Corinthians 5:12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

2 Corinthians 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "commend", "ourselves", "again", "give", "occasion", "glory", "behalf", and "somewhat". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "commend" and "ourselves", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 11's "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord..." into verse 13's "For whether we be beside ourselves it...", so "commend" and "ourselves" belong inside that flow. In 2 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "commend" and "ourselves" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.