Deep Dive

II Corinthians 11:8

A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →

I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you.

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 8

I robbed--that is, took from them in order to spare you more than what was their fair share of contribution to my maintenance, for example, the Philippian Church (Phi 4:15-16). wages--"subsidy." to do you service--Greek, "with a view to ministration to you"; compare "supplied" (Greek, "in addition"), Co2 11:9, implying, he brought with him from the Macedonians, supplies towards his maintenance at Corinth; and (Co2 11:9) when those resources failed ("when I wanted") he received a new supply, while there, from the same source.

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 8

In this chapter the apostle goes on with his discourse, in opposition to the false apostles, who were very industrious to lessen his interest and reputation among the Corinthians, and had prevailed too much by their insinuations. I. He apologizes for going about to commend himself, and gives the reason for what he did (Co2 11:1-4). II. He mentions, in his own necessary vindication, his equality with the other apostles, and with the false apostles in this particular of preaching the gospel to the Corinthians freely, without wages (Co2 11:5-15). III. He makes another preface to what he was about further to say in his own justification (Co2 11:16-21). And, IV. He gives a large account of his qualifications, labours, and sufferings, in which he exceeded the false apostles (Co2 11:22 to the end).

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 8

11:8-9 Paul had been accepting . . . contributions . . . from Macedonia—i.e., Philippi (Phil 4:15-19). Paul’s apparent inconsistency made the Corinthians suspicious of his motives or doubtful of his love toward them (2 Cor 11:11).

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