2 Corinthians 12:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?

NIV: Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you?

NASB: Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?

CSB: Did I take advantage of you by any of those I sent you?

NLT: But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?

KJV: Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

NKJV: Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

Paul is responding to an accusation made against him and his associates by some in Corinth. This would have been spurred on by the false apostles among the church. The accusation seems to be this: Paul refuses to accept personal donations as a tactic to make the Corinthians feel guilty, inspiring them to give Paul even more. Another possible implication is that he is planning to steal some or all their contribution to the suffering Christians in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:10–21). Liars interested in tearing Paul down would have suggested his refusal to "burden" the Corinthians was a crafty way of deceitfully getting the better of them in the end (2 Corinthians 12:16).

Of course, Paul was not doing this. His conduct, and that of his fellow ministers, showed no such sin. Most likely, the false apostles made the accusation as cover for their willingness to take money, even though Paul would not do so.

Now Paul asks them flat out: Did I take advantage of you through anyone I sent to you? He has in mind Titus and another man mentioned in the following verse. He seems to be asking if they have any evidence, at all, that they were cheated by Paul or any of his messengers. In short, they do not.

Second Corinthians 12:11–21 describes Paul's disappointment that the Corinthians did not defend him against attacks from false apostles. The believers of Corinth saw the signs and wonders God performed through him. Paul declares once again that he will not receive payment from them. A father provides for his children, not the other way around. He rejects an accusation that he or Titus plan to swindle them and expresses his concern that when he arrives in Corinth, he will find some still unrepentant of specific sins.

With as much humility as possible, Paul describes an astounding experience. He was caught up to the ''third heaven'' and received a revelation from God that he cannot reveal on earth. He refuses to brag about it, but mentions it in order to introduce the consequences of that experience. To keep Paul humble, God gave him a ''thorn in the flesh,'' some malady which the Bible does not explicitly explain. Paul has learned to be content in his suffering since God's power is made perfect in his weakness. He chastises the Corinthians for not commending him since they know him. He defends himself against a charge of crafty swindling, and he expresses concern that he will find some still living in sin when he arrives in Corinth.

Second Corinthians 12 follows Paul's sarcastic ''boasting'' about his suffering for Christ. The chapter continues with Paul refusing to take credit for an astounding revelation from God. Given a ''thorn in the flesh'' to keep him humble, Paul learned to be content with his suffering since God's power was made perfect in his weakness. Still, the Corinthians should have defended him to the false apostles and not believed lies about him swindling money from them with no evidence. He is concerned that when he comes to visit them, he will find some still unrepentant of specific sins. This leads Paul to his final warnings and the close of his letter, in chapter 13.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.