I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. 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? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
- 2 Corinthians 11:5-11
A few verses before this in verse 1, the apostle Paul wrote, “I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me!” Paul’s foolishness was the fact that he had just previously written about boasting in nothing but Jesus, but then he proceeded to boast about the Corinthians and his work with them. He continues that boasting in this passage, though he is only employing this technique to make his point clear to the Corinthians. It is only out of love for them and his desire to spread the gospel that Paul boasts about himself in this way.
In verse 5, Paul addresses a group of individuals in the Corinthian church who were boasting about their status, authority, and eloquence, calling them "super-apostles." These false teachers likely presented themselves as more important or superior to Paul because they had polished rhetoric or perhaps even charged money for their services, which gave them an air of prestige. Paul, however, refuses to accept their claim to superiority. His argument here isn’t based on his abilities or accomplishments but on the authenticity of his calling and his deep, sacrificial love for the Corinthians. This speaks to a common theme in Paul's letters: true apostleship is about service, not status.
Paul openly admits in verse 6 that he may not have the rhetorical skills that the "super-apostles" possess, but he highlights what really matters: knowledge of the gospel. In Greco-Roman culture, public speaking was highly esteemed, and eloquent orators were given significant honor. The "super-apostles" likely used this to their advantage, deriding Paul as a weak or unskilled speaker. However, Paul doesn't allow this criticism to undermine his confidence in his ministry. He knows that the foundation of his authority lies not in his speaking style but in his deep understanding of the gospel and the truth of God's Word. The emphasis here is on content, not form. Paul’s knowledge of the gospel was not lacking; he communicated the truth to the Corinthians fully, plainly, and with transparency, including by living out the gospel.
In verse 7, Paul poses a rhetorical question to the Corinthians, pointing out that he never took money from them for preaching the gospel. This decision was a deliberate one on Paul's part, as he didn’t want anyone to think he was in ministry for financial gain. Unlike the "super-apostles" who likely demanded payment, Paul chose to lower himself by working as a tentmaker to support himself, thereby elevating the Corinthians spiritually. Paul implies that the Corinthians had somehow viewed his refusal to accept payment as a negative thing; it could have been seen as undermining one’s credibility. Yet Paul was countercultural, willingly forgoing financial support in order to ensure that the gospel remained free from any accusations of commercialism.
Paul uses hyperbole to make a point in verse 8. He didn’t literally "rob" other churches, but he received financial support from other congregations so that he could minister to the Corinthians without charging them. This was especially true of the church in Philippi, which supported Paul throughout his ministry (Philippians 4:15-16). Paul was willing to depend on the generosity of other churches so that the Corinthians could hear the gospel without cost. This reveals Paul's deep commitment to them and his desire to remove any potential stumbling block from their faith journey.
Paul continues to explain his decision not to accept financial support from the Corinthians in verse 9. He wanted to ensure that his ministry was never a burden to them. When Paul had financial needs during his time in Corinth, believers from Macedonia (likely from the Philippian church) provided for him. Paul’s attitude demonstrates his deep sensitivity toward the spiritual and practical needs of the Corinthians. He didn’t want anything—money, material needs, or expectations—to get in the way of the gospel message. His approach reflects a heart that prioritizes the spiritual welfare of others over personal comfort.
Paul’s statement in verse 10 underscores his confidence in the truth of his ministry. His "boasting" refers to the fact that he has preached the gospel free of charge and has conducted his ministry with integrity and sincerity. He is adamant that no one will stop him from making this claim. The regions of Achaia, where Corinth was located, had seen the effectiveness and authenticity of Paul’s ministry firsthand. Paul’s boldness is rooted in the truth of Christ within him. His assurance in his identity in Christ gave him the confidence to stand firm, despite opposition and false accusations from the "super-apostles."
In verse 11, Paul gets to the heart of the matter: his love for the Corinthians. Some may have questioned Paul’s motives, assuming that because he didn’t take payment from them, he didn’t truly care about them. Paul rejects this notion outright and appeals to God as his witness. Paul’s motivation for everything he did—his refusal to accept money, his hard work to support himself, and his deep concern for the Corinthian church—was rooted in love. His love for them was genuine, selfless, and unwavering, even when the Corinthians misunderstood his actions or were led astray by false teachers.
What does this passage teach us? True ministry is not about status, eloquence, or personal gain, but it is about serving others with humility and love. Paul’s life and ministry point us to Jesus, the ultimate example of selfless love and sacrifice. In a world that often values charisma and success, Paul’s words call us back to the heart of the gospel: love, service, and the truth of Christ.
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