What Does 2 Corinthians 12:13 Mean in the King James?
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The one way you are called “inferior” is that the speaker refused to make his presence a burden, and then ironically calls that refusal a wrong.
THE MEANING
You can be met by care that does not turn itself into your debt. The verse names your freedom from a burden as the one way you are supposedly “inferior,” then calls that freedom a “wrong” with unmistakable irony. Its request for forgiveness lets freely given care and the appearance of offense occupy the same line.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie that being cared for without financial cost means you were shortchanged.
THE ROOT
χαρίσασθέ
charísasthe
GROWS FROM
χάρις
cháris
Favor; a freely bestowed gift.
The verb translated “forgive” grows from the word for favor, carrying the sense of freely granting something. That makes the line’s irony sharper: the speaker presents his refusal to burden you as an offense, then asks you to release it as though it were a debt.
ALSO GROWS
charízomai: To grant freely, show favor, or forgive.
χαρίζομαι
This is the verb used in the verse; forgiveness carries the shape of freely granting release.
cháris: Favor, a gracious gift, or thanks.
χάρις
The verb’s root connects forgiveness with favor given freely, not merely a verdict about a wrong.
ἀδικία
adikía
GROWS FROM
δίκη
díkē
Right, justice; ἀδικία is a breach or absence of what is right.
The word for “wrong” belongs to the language of justice and injury. Calling his refusal to make himself a burden an ἀδικία gives the sentence its sting: not charging you is framed, ironically, as if it harmed you.
ALSO GROWS
díkē: Right or justice.
δίκη
It reveals the justice-language beneath the translated word “wrong.”
adikéō: To do wrong or injure.
ἀδικέω
This related verb makes the supposed injury explicit, sharpening the contrast with the speaker’s refusal to burden you.
THE PATTERN
Care becomes trustworthy when it gives without turning its cost into a debt for the receiver.
Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.THE THREAD
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.The verb translated “forgiven” is χαρίζομαι (charízomai, to grant freely or forgive), from the same word family as the verb in this verse. That shared root ties forgiveness to favor freely given, making the request to pardon the supposed “wrong” of not burdening you all the more pointed.
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