2 Corinthians 12:13

My Notes

What Does 2 Corinthians 12:13 Mean?

"For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong." Paul's most biting sarcasm in 2 Corinthians: the one way the Corinthian church was "inferior" to other churches is that Paul didn't take their money. He supported himself rather than receiving financial support from them. And he says: forgive me this wrong. The apology is sarcasm: the only "sin" I committed against you was not being a financial burden. How terrible of me.

The sarcasm targets the Corinthians' wounded pride: they feel inferior because Paul accepted support from other churches (Philippians 4:15-16) but not from them. And Paul's refusal has been weaponized by his opponents: he doesn't take your money because he doesn't love you enough.

Reflection Questions

• 1.When has someone's generosity offended you because it removed your sense of control?
• 2.How does Paul's sarcasm expose the absurdity of treating free grace as an insult?
• 3.Where do you struggle to receive without paying — and what does that reveal about your need for leverage?
• 4.What 'wrong' of unreciprocated generosity do you need to stop resenting?

Devotional

Forgive me this wrong. The most sarcastic sentence Paul ever writes. The 'wrong' he's apologizing for: not taking their money. The sin the Corinthians hold against him: he didn't let them pay him.

What is it wherein ye were inferior? Paul has just listed everything the Corinthians received that matched every other church: signs, wonders, mighty deeds (v. 12). They lacked nothing in apostolic ministry. The only difference: Paul didn't take their money. He worked with his hands. He supported himself. He refused to be a financial burden. And the Corinthians interpret this as insult.

Except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you. The exception is the indictment: the one way you were 'inferior' is that I loved you enough to not extract from you. The other churches paid Paul. Corinth didn't — because Paul wouldn't let them. And somehow, this generosity on Paul's part has become a grievance on theirs.

Forgive me this wrong. The sarcasm cuts: I'm apologizing for not being a burden. Please pardon my kindness. Excuse my self-sacrifice. I'm so sorry I didn't drain your wallet like every other teacher who comes through your city. What a terrible thing I did.

The sarcasm targets a real dynamic: Paul's opponents in Corinth (the 'super-apostles' of 11:5) DID take money. They charged for their services. And they used Paul's refusal to charge as evidence that he wasn't a real apostle: if he were legitimate, he'd accept payment. The Corinthians bought the argument. And Paul responds with the most cutting irony available: I wronged you by being generous. Please forgive me.

The deeper issue: some people can't receive free grace. The gift that isn't transactional offends them. They'd rather pay — because paying gives them a sense of control, equality, or leverage. Paul's free ministry stripped the Corinthians of the buyer's leverage. And being stripped of leverage felt like being treated as inferior.

Forgive me this wrong. The apology you never have to accept. Because the 'wrong' was love in a form you didn't expect and couldn't control.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture