2 Corinthians 12:13 (DBY)

Passage

For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 12:11 I have become a fool; *ye* have compelled me; for *I* ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.

2 Corinthians 12:12 The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.

2 Corinthians 12:13 For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.

2 Corinthians 12:14 Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

2 Corinthians 12:15 Now *I* shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "been", "inferior", "other", "assemblies", "unless", "myself", and "laziness". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "been" and "inferior", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 12's "The signs indeed of the apostle were..." into verse 14's "Behold this third time I am ready...", so "been" and "inferior" 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 "been" and "inferior" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.