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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

In these verses the apostle addresses himself to the Corinthians two ways:? I. He blames them for what was faulty in them; namely, that they had not stood up in his defence as they ought to have done, and so made it the more needful for him to insist so much on his own vindication. They in manner compelled him to commend himself, who ought to have been commended of them 2 Cor. 12:11. And had they, or some among them, not failed on their part, it would have been less needful for him to have... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:11-18

12:11-18 I have become a fool--you forced me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, not by myself. I am in no way inferior to the super-apostles, even if I am nothing. The signs of an apostle have been wrought among you in all endurance, with signs and wonders and deeds of power. In what have you been surpassed by the rest of the churches, except that I have not squeezed charity out of you? Forgive me for this sin. Look you! I am ready to come to you for the third time, and I still... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:17

Did I make a gain of you ,.... He appeals to the Corinthians against such calumnies and false insinuations, whether ever he had circumvented them in such a manner, or had ever used such artful methods to pillage them; or whether ever he had discovered any covetous disposition towards anything of theirs; or had employed any persons to draw out their substance from them, and get it for himself: he owns he had sent some persons to them on different errands, and asks if he had dealt fraudulently... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:18

I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother ,.... The apostle proceeds to mention one or two persons that he had sent unto them, and desires to know whether they could charge them with any such practices. He had desired, exhorted, and encouraged Titus to go unto them, and collect money from them; but not for either of themselves, but for the poor saints at Jerusalem; and he sent another brother along with him, who is by some supposed to be Luke, to be a companion of him, and an assistant... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:17

Did I make a gain of you - Did any person I ever sent to preach the Gospel to you, or help you in your Christian course, ever get any thing from you for me? Produce the proof if you can. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:18

I desired Titus - I never sent any to you but Titus and another brother; 2 Corinthians 8:6 , 2 Corinthians 8:18 . And did Titus make a gain of you? Did he get any thing from you, either for himself or for me? You know he did not. He was actuated by the same spirit, and he walked in the same steps. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:17

Did I make a gain of you, etc.? The same verb as in 2 Corinthians 2:11 . It means" to overreach," "to take unfair advantages." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:18

Titus . This refers to the first visit of Titus. He was now on the eve of a second visit with two others ( 2 Corinthians 8:6 , 2 Corinthians 8:18 , 2 Corinthians 8:22 ). A brother; rather, the brother . Who it was is entirely unknown. Perhaps Tychicus ( Titus 3:12 ). In the same Spirit; namely, in the Spirit of God. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:17

Did I make a gain ... - In refuting this slander, Paul appeals boldly to the facts, and to what they knew. “Same the man,” says he, “who has thus defrauded you under my instructions. If the charge is well-founded, let him be specified, and let the mode in which it was done be distinctly stated.” The phrase “make a gain” (from πλεονεκτέω pleonekteō), means properly to have an advantage; then to take advantage, to seek unlawful gain. Here Paul asks whether he had defrauded them by means of... read more

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