2 Corinthians 11:7

Committed an offence. In verses 7-11 Paul gives consideration to the problem posed by critics of his self-supporting ministry to the Corinthians. He had previously written them on this subject, setting forth clearly the principles involved (1 Cor. 9:4-18). In harmony with the principles already laid down in the Scriptures by Christ, he had declared his full right to ministerial support such as the other apostles received (Matt. 10:7-10; Luke 10:7, 8). But he had voluntarily waived this right, in order to make evident that he was not tainted with mercenary motives (Acts 20:33; 2 Thess. 3:8, 9). His enemies, however, had seized upon this demonstration of self-sacrifice to impugn his motives; they construed it as evidence that he knew he did not deserve support and had thus tacitly admitted he was not a genuine apostle. Also, they probably thought him inconsistent in accepting support from believers in Macedonia (2 Cor. 11:9; Phil. 4:10); perhaps he had ulterior motives, and this seeming self-sacrifice in relation to the Corinthians was part of a scheme to take advantage of them. Paul wonders now whether he had done wrong in the course he took at Corinth, for the close fellowship he enjoyed with the believers at Philippi was lacking at Corinth. Usually he had worked at tentmaking in order to pay his expenses as an ambassador for Christ (Acts 18:3; cf. Acts 20:33-35; 1 Thess. 2:9). A worker for Christ is not wise to place himself under obligation to any church member by receiving money from such a member for his own use. The gospel ministry is dishonored if it is made the means for personal profit (cf. 1 Tim. 3:3). The good news of salvation is God’s free gift to man (Isa. 55:1, 2).