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2 Corinthians 4

2 Cor. 4:5 KJV (With Strong’s)

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5
For
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
we preach
kerusso (Greek #2784)
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
KJV usage: preacher(-er), proclaim, publish.
Pronounce: kay-roos'-so
Origin: of uncertain affinity
not
ou (Greek #3756)
the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not
KJV usage: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.
Pronounce: oo
Origin: οὐκ (ook), and (before an aspirate) οὐχ (ookh) a primary word
ourselves
heautou (Greek #1438)
him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
KJV usage: alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
Pronounce: heh-ow-too'
Origin: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846
, but
alla (Greek #235)
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV usage: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Pronounce: al-lah'
Origin: neuter plural of 243
Christ
Christos (Greek #5547)
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
KJV usage: Christ.
Pronounce: khris-tos'
Origin: from 5548
Jesus
Iesous (Greek #2424)
Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
KJV usage: Jesus.
Pronounce: ee-ay-sooce'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (03091)
the Lord
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
; and
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
ourselves
heautou (Greek #1438)
him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
KJV usage: alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
Pronounce: heh-ow-too'
Origin: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846
your
humon (Greek #5216)
of (from or concerning) you
KJV usage: ye, you, your (own, -selves).
Pronounce: hoo-mone'
Origin: genitive case of 5210
servants
doulos (Greek #1401)
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
KJV usage: bond(-man), servant.
Pronounce: doo'-los
Origin: from 1210
for
dia (Greek #1223)
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
KJV usage: after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
Pronounce: dee-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act
Jesus’ sake
Iesous (Greek #2424)
Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
KJV usage: Jesus.
Pronounce: ee-ay-sooce'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (03091)
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More on:

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Christ,
Preaching,
Servant,
The Lord Jesus

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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we.
Matt. 3:11• 11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matt. 3:11)
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John 1:21‑23• 21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
 22Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
 23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. (John 1:21‑23)
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John 3:27‑31• 27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
 28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
 29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
 30He must increase, but I must decrease.
 31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. (John 3:27‑31)
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John 7:18• 18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. (John 7:18)
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Acts 3:12‑13• 12And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
 13The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. (Acts 3:12‑13)
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Acts 8:9‑10• 9But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
 10To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. (Acts 8:9‑10)
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Acts 10:25‑26• 25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
 26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. (Acts 10:25‑26)
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Acts 14:11‑15• 11And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
 12And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
 13Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
 14Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
 15And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: (Acts 14:11‑15)
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Rom. 15:17‑18• 17I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
 18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, (Rom. 15:17‑18)
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1 Cor. 1:13‑15,23• 13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
 14I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
 15Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (1 Cor. 1:13‑15,23)
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1 Cor. 3:5‑6• 5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
 6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (1 Cor. 3:5‑6)
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1 Cor. 10:33• 33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (1 Cor. 10:33)
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Phil. 1:15• 15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: (Phil. 1:15)
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1 Thess. 2:5‑6• 5For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
 6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (1 Thess. 2:5‑6)
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Titus 1:11• 11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. (Titus 1:11)
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1 Peter 5:2‑5• 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
 3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
 4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
 5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:2‑5)
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2 Peter 2:3• 3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (2 Peter 2:3)
Christ.
2 Cor. 1:19• 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. (2 Cor. 1:19)
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Matt. 23:8• 8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (Matt. 23:8)
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Acts 2:36• 36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
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Acts 5:31• 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31)
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Acts 10:36• 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (Acts 10:36)
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Rom. 14:8‑9• 8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
 9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. (Rom. 14:8‑9)
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1 Cor. 1:23• 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (1 Cor. 1:23)
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1 Cor. 2:2• 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Cor. 2:2)
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1 Cor. 8:6• 6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (1 Cor. 8:6)
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1 Cor. 12:3• 3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1 Cor. 12:3)
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1 Cor. 15:47• 47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. (1 Cor. 15:47)
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Phil. 2:11• 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:11)
and.
2 Cor. 1:24• 24Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. (2 Cor. 1:24)
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2 Cor. 5:14‑15• 14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:14‑15)
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Matt. 20:25‑27• 25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
 26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
 27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (Matt. 20:25‑27)
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Luke 22:25‑26• 25And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
 26But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. (Luke 22:25‑26)
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John 13:14‑15• 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:14‑15)
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Rom. 15:1‑2• 1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
 2Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. (Rom. 15:1‑2)
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1 Cor. 9:19‑23• 19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
 20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
 21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
 22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
 23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. (1 Cor. 9:19‑23)
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Gal. 5:13• 13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Gal. 5:13)
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2 Tim. 2:10• 10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Tim. 2:10)
• Personal interest, or honor, vanishes before His name. And such a servant was the Apostle to the Corinthians. What a change, from the prejudiced, law-bound, yet impassioned Jew of Tarsus! (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 4:5-6” by W. Kelly)
• As Christ Jesus is Lord, and the believer owns and proclaims it according to his measure, so is He the one true and safe motive for the ready service of His saints. Personal interest, or honor, vanishes before His name. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 4:5-6” by W. Kelly)
• Personal interest, temporal gain, self-exaltation and the applause of men, are all lost sight of in the joy of serving for Christ's sake. How truly he could say, "We preach not ourselves". (“2 Corinthians 4” by H. Smith)
• They preached “Christ Jesus the Lord.” This shows that their burden was not just to present Christ—wonderful as that is in itself—but to bring the saints under His Lordship claims. (“A True Christian Minister Has Personal Exercises Regarding the Ministry He Carries: 2 Corinithains 4” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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5
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus Lord, and ourselves your bondmen for Jesus’ sake.

W. Kelly Translation

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5
For not ourselves do we preach, but Jesus Christ as Lorda, and ourselves your bondmen for Jesus’ sake,

WK Translation Notes

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a
The order of the words "Jesus" "Christ" and "Lord" fluctuate in the MSS.