2 Corinthians 11:12

Occasion. Greek aphorme, a military term that denotes primarily a “base of operations.” Figuratively, it denotes the basis on which an action is taken, or the motive for it (see Rom. 7:8, 11; Gal. 5:13; 1 Tim. 5:14). Had Paul accepted money from the Corinthians, his enemies would have pointed to this as another “occasion” for condemning him. But as it was, they had made his non-acceptance of Corinthian support a pretext for questioning his apostleship (see on 2 Cor. 11:7). Accordingly Paul was confronted with the alternatives of (1) waiving his right to support as an apostle (Luke 10:7), at the risk of appearing, on the one hand, to deny his apostleship (see on Matt. 17:24-27) and on the other, to show a lack of love for the Corinthians (see on 2 Cor. 11:11); and (2) accepting support and appearing to be preaching the gospel for gain. He will run the risk of the former, which he considers the lesser of two evils, in order to avoid the latter.

Even as we. It seems that these false apostles had accepted material support from the Corinthians (1 Cor. 9:7-13; 2 Cor. 11:20), and justified themselves on the basis of their supposed apostolic prerogatives. This privilege they denied to Paul. Although their claim to having rendered unselfish labor was false, they gloried in making it. But, if they really want to boast, says Paul, they should follow his policy of self-maintenance.