2 Corinthians 12:13 (LSB)

Passage

For in what respect were you treated as less than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 12:11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most-eminent apostles, even if I am nothing.

2 Corinthians 12:12 The signs of a true apostle were worked out among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

2 Corinthians 12:13 For in what respect were you treated as less than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

2 Corinthians 12:14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you. For children ought not to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2 Corinthians 12:15 So I will most gladly spend and be fully spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "respect", "treated", "less", "than", "rest", "churches", "except", and "myself". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "respect" and "treated", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 12's "The signs of a true apostle were..." into verse 14's "Here for this third time I am...", so "respect" and "treated" 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 "respect" and "treated" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.