2 Corinthians 12:14

My Notes

What Does 2 Corinthians 12:14 Mean?

"Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children." Paul defends his practice of not accepting financial support from the Corinthians. His reasoning reveals his heart: "I seek not yours, but you." He doesn't want their money. He wants them. The relationship is the treasure, not the resources.

The parental metaphor is tender: parents save for children, not the reverse. Paul sees himself as the Corinthians' spiritual father, and a good father doesn't extract from his children — he provides for them. This contrasts with false teachers who exploited the Corinthians financially, a dynamic Paul exposes elsewhere in the letter.

Reflection Questions

• 1.In your relationships with people you lead or influence, are you seeking 'theirs' or 'them'?
• 2.How do you apply the parent-child model to spiritual mentoring — laying up rather than extracting?
• 3.What leaders in your life have demonstrated Paul's posture of seeking you, not yours?
• 4.Where might you be unconsciously extracting from people instead of investing in them?

Devotional

"I seek not yours, but you." Seven words that distinguish genuine spiritual leadership from exploitation. Paul isn't after their resources. He's after them. Their growth, their faith, their relationship, their souls. The money is irrelevant compared to the people.

This is the test for every spiritual leader, every mentor, every person in authority over others: are you seeking theirs or them? Their money, their service, their platform, their allegiance — or their actual wellbeing? Paul passes this test definitively. He supports himself through tentmaking specifically to ensure nobody can accuse him of ulterior motives.

The parent metaphor makes it personal. "Children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children." A good parent doesn't take from their kids. They give to them. They sacrifice for them. They lay up resources and blessing for the next generation, not extract from them.

If you're in any position of spiritual influence — over a child, a student, a mentee, a group — Paul's standard is the mirror. Are you laying up for them or taking from them? Are you investing in their future or extracting from their present? The answer reveals whether you're a spiritual parent or a spiritual parasite.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture