2 Corinthians 12:14 (YLT)

Passage

Lo, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children,

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 12:12 The signs, indeed, of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,

2 Corinthians 12:13 for what is there in which ye were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this injustice!

2 Corinthians 12:14 Lo, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children,

2 Corinthians 12:15 and I most gladly will spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, more abundantly loving you, less I am loved.

2 Corinthians 12:16 And be it <FI>so<Fi> , I--I did not burden you, but being crafty, with guile I did take you;

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "third", "time", "ready", "come", "burden", "seek", "yours", and "children". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "third" and "time", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "for what is there in which ye..." into verse 15's "and I most gladly will spend and...", so "third" and "time" 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 "third" and "time" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.