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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:5-15

After the foregoing preface to what he was about to say, the apostle in these verses mentions, I. His equality with the other apostles?that he was not a whit behind the very chief of the apostles, 2 Cor. 11:5. This he expresses very modestly: I suppose so. He might have spoken very positively. The apostleship, as an office, was equal in all the apostles; but the apostles, like other Christians, differed one from another. These stars differed one from another in glory, and Paul was indeed of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:7-15

11:7-15 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you should be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you for nothing? I plundered other Churches and took pay from them in order to render service to you. And when I was present with you and when I had been reduced to want I did not squeeze charity out of any man. The brothers who came from Macedonia again supplied my want. In everything I watched that I should not be a burden on you, and I will go on doing so. As Christ's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:7

Have I committed an offence in abasing myself ,.... Either by behaving among them, when he was first with them, in a very modest and humble manner, in much fear and trembling, without pride and haughtiness, or affectation of power and authority over them; or by using a popular style, suited to the capacity of the common people; or by labouring with his own hands, exercising his trade of tent making among them, that he might provide food for himself, and not be chargeable to them; and which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:8

I robbed other churches ,.... Meaning the churches of Macedonia; not that what he had of them was by force and rapine, or by plundering of them, and spoiling of their substance, and living upon them against their wills, as soldiers use a conquered people, though the allusion is to such a custom; for what he had of theirs was freely communicated to him; as appears from the following verse: but because these churches from whom he received were poor, and the Corinthians whom he served were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:9

And when I was present with you, and wanted ,.... Whilst he was among them, preaching the Gospel to them, he wanted the common necessaries of life: and yet, says he, I was chargeable to no man , or "benumbed no man"; a metaphor, as some think, taken from the torpedo, or cramp fish; which is of such a cold and benumbing nature, as that, when even at the hook, it will strike the fisherman with its cold, and so benumb him as to take away his feeling, and the use of his limbs: now the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:10

As the truth of Christ is in me ,.... To show the firmness of his resolution, and how determined he was to abide by it, he joins an oath to it; for these words are the form of an oath; and it is as if he should say, as sure as Christ is truth, who is in me; or as that the truth of grace, or the truth of the Gospel of Christ is in my heart and mouth, so sure will I constantly persevere in this determination; or let the truth of Christ never be thought to be in me, if I do not: no man shall... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:7

Have I committed an offense in abasing myself - Have I transgressed in labouring with my hands that I might not be chargeable to you? and getting my deficiencies supplied by contributions from other Churches, while I was employed in labouring for your salvation? Does your false apostle insinuate that I have disgraced the apostolic office by thus descending to servile labor for my support? Well; I have done this that you might be exalted - that you might receive the pure doctrines of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:8

I robbed other Churches - This part of the sentence is explained by the latter, taking wages to do you service. The word οψωνιον signifies the pay of money and provisions given daily to a Roman soldier. As if he had said: I received food and raiment, the bare necessaries of life, from other Churches while labouring for your salvation. Will you esteem this a crime? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:9

And when I was present with you - The particle και which we translate and, should be rendered for in this place: For when I was with you, and was in want, I was chargeable to no man. I preferred to be, for a time, even without the necessaries of life, rather than be a burden to you. To whom was this a reproach, to me or to you? The brethren which came from Macedonia - He probably refers to the supplies which he received from the Church at Philippi, which was in Macedonia; of which he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:10

As the truth of Christ is in me - Εστιν αληθεια Χριστου εν εμοι· The truth of Christ is in me. That is: I speak as becomes a Christian man, and as influenced by the Gospel of Christ. It is a solemn form of asseveration, if not to be considered in the sense of an oath. In the regions of Achaia - The whole of the Peloponnesus, or Morea, in which the city of Corinth stood. From this it appears that he had received no help from any of the other Churches in the whole of that district. read more

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