Free Bible Commentary
“2 Corinthians 11:5-11”
Categories: 2 Corinthians“For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
Okay so Paul had asked permission to speak a bit foolishly (verse 1). The brethren in Corinth had tolerated so much foolishness from evil influences, surely they could bear with Paul for a moment while he used a bit of sarcasm to show them how ridiculous their attitude about him had become.
When Paul was in the city of Corinth he walked humbly among brethren (verse 7). They had since been persuaded to view his humility as weakness and inferiority. When he preached to them, he decided to do that without charge so as not to burden them or give them a reason to think he had ulterior motives. They still found a way to question his intentions.
Sometimes people mistake humility and generosity for weakness, and they will take advantage of your good nature. That’s okay. You be humble and generous anyway. That’s the way that Jesus lived His earthly life and left the perfect example for us to follow. In fact, Jesus came for the very purpose of humbling Himself in the service of human kind, even to the point of death (Philippians 2:5-8). Verse 5 of Philippians 2 tells us to have the mind (attitude) of Christ as well.
Paul’s only motivation for serving his brethren in Corinth and making himself very vulnerable to them was love (verse 11). “Love is patient, love is kind…love does not seek its own…bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Our love for people should be enough to help us endure a broken heart if necessary.
Please read 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
