2 Corinthians 11:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge?

NIV: Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?

NASB: Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?

CSB: Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?

NLT: Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return?

KJV: Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

NKJV: Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?

It's not just sarcastically labelled "super-apostles" that Paul is concerned about (2 Corinthians 11:5). He's also bothered that the Corinthians themselves seem to be swayed by accusations against Paul. These included complaints that he was not impressive as a speaker and he experienced too much suffering. Focusing on appearances, instead of truth, they assume a divine messenger would be impressive and worldly.

Now Paul seems to answer another charge: He refused to take money from the Corinthians while serving them as a representative of Christ. He asks sarcastically if he sinned when he humbled himself in this. In truth, he did this in order to lift them up as children of God through their faith in Christ.

Paul had the right to ask them to support him financially while he was working with them. However, he never wanted any confusion about his motives to interfere with anyone trusting in Christ. He explained all of this in an earlier letter to them (1 Corinthians 9:4–18). Instead of taking money from them, Paul chose to work with his hands as a tent-maker. Scholars suggest this might be something to which Paul's opponents pointed as specific evidence that he was not truly an apostle. For ancient philosophers and traveling orators, manual labor was the last possible option for supporting oneself. In fact, it was a sign the speaker was not good enough to attract supporters. Perhaps Paul's accusers said that a genuine apostle of Jesus would not need to work with his hands as Paul did. These false teachers very likely accepted all the money the Corinthians would give to them.

Paul's comment shows that his refusal to take money from them continued to be a point of contention, despite his explanation. Some of them may simply have had a hard time respecting a teacher who was also a common laborer.

Second Corinthians 11:1–15 includes Paul's unmasking of the false apostles in Corinth. They are like the serpent in the garden tempting Eve. Or, they resemble a man trying to seduce a betrothed woman away from her promised husband. They disguise themselves as servants of righteousness as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Paul is a spiritual father who must protect the Corinthians from deceptions like a false Christ and a false spirit. Paul doubles down on his commitment not to take funds from the Corinthians for his own needs, simply to prove how he is different from the false apostles.

Second Corinthians 11 compares the believers in Corinth to a betrothed bride. It also pictures them as Eve facing temptation from the snake in the garden in Genesis 3. Paul's job as their spiritual father is to protect them from the lies of false apostles. These deceivers disguise themselves as servants of righteousness in the same way that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Paul is shocked the Corinthians put up with such harsh treatment from these men. He sarcastically pretends to brag about himself as the false teachers do about themselves. Instead, he boasts mostly about the ways he has endured suffering in his service to Christ.

Chapter 11 follows Paul's warning in the previous chapter. There, he vowed to be as bold as needed when he comes to see them in person. He describes himself as a protective spiritual father trying to save the Corinthians from the deceptions of the false apostles to teach a false gospel about a false Jesus. He is shocked the Corinthians put up with their harsh treatment and says he has decided to foolishly boast in order to compete with the false apostles. His boasting about his service to Christ, though, is mostly a long list of all the ways he has suffered for Christ. That theme continues into chapter 12, where Paul explains just how much his suffering has improved his walk with Christ.

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.