2 Corinthians 11 11

2 Corinthians 11:11 kjv

Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

2 Corinthians 11:11 nkjv

Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

2 Corinthians 11:11 niv

Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

2 Corinthians 11:11 esv

And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

2 Corinthians 11:11 nlt

Why? Because I don't love you? God knows that I do.

2 Corinthians 11 11 Cross References

Verse Text Reference
1 Cor 9:18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge... Paul's refusal to be a burden
2 Cor 11:7-10 Did I commit a sin... in preaching God’s gospel to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by accepting support... Preaching without cost to Corinthians
2 Cor 12:13-14 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you?... I will not be a burden. Further explanation of non-burden
1 Thes 2:9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: working night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you... Paul’s hard work to be self-sufficient
Acts 18:3 And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers. Paul's trade for self-support
1 Cor 4:14-15 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children... Paul's fatherly love for them
2 Cor 6:11-13 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. Paul's deep affection for Corinthians
Phil 1:7-8 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart... God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Paul's deep love, with God as witness
1 Thes 2:7-8 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were glad to impart... Tender, nurturing love for believers
Rom 9:1-3 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers... Paul's immense sacrificial love
Gal 4:19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you... Paul's yearning for their spiritual growth
Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son... Paul appealing to God as witness for truth
Gal 1:20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) God as witness to Paul’s veracity
2 Cor 1:23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth. God as witness for Paul's motives
1 Thes 2:5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. God as witness to their blameless conduct
Heb 4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. God sees and knows all hearts
2 Cor 5:11-13 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience... Paul's motives known to God
1 Cor 13:1-8 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong... Love as the supreme motive
2 Cor 4:1-2 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart... we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways... but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. Paul's transparency and integrity in ministry
2 Cor 11:12-15 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order that I may cut off an opportunity... such men are false apostles... disguising themselves as servants of righteousness. Paul's battle against false apostles
Phil 3:2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evil doers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. Warning against false teachers
Gal 1:6-9 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel... Consequences of following false teachings

2 Corinthians 11 verses

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2 Corinthians 11 11 Meaning

The Apostle Paul here intensely rebuts a potential insinuation or direct accusation from false teachers in Corinth, or perhaps from the Corinthians themselves, that his refusal of financial support indicated a lack of love for them. He emphatically asks a rhetorical question to challenge this absurd premise, then appeals to God as his supreme witness, asserting with profound certainty and deep conviction that he indeed harbors true and fervent love for the Corinthian believers.

2 Corinthians 11 11 Context

This verse is situated within a passionate and sarcastic defense by Paul of his apostolic ministry, specifically in chapters 10-12 of 2 Corinthians. He has been forced to "boast" like a fool because false apostles, or "super-apostles," in Corinth were undermining his authority, doctrine, and character. These rivals, possibly demanding financial compensation for their teachings, had likely presented Paul’s refusal to accept payment from the Corinthians as a sign of his inadequacy, a lack of legitimate apostolic status, or even a lack of genuine affection for them. Paul, in prior verses (2 Cor 11:7-10), reiterated his choice to work with his hands and accept aid from other churches rather than burden the Corinthians, an act meant to commend the Gospel and prevent any accusation of greed. Verse 11:11 directly addresses and refutes the perverse interpretation that his financial independence signified indifference, making it clear that his motivation was not disdain but profound, self-sacrificial love.

2 Corinthians 11 11 Word analysis

  • "Why?" (μὴ, mē): This is a Greek interrogative particle used to introduce a question that expects a negative answer, indicating that the speaker finds the idea being suggested quite incredible or even preposterous. Paul is not genuinely asking why they might think this, but rather rejecting the very premise. It implies a sense of incredulity and rejection: "Surely it's not because...?"
  • "Because" (ὅτι, hoti): A causal conjunction, meaning "that" or "because." In this construction, it serves to introduce the potential, false reason for his actions that Paul immediately challenges.
  • "I do not love you?" (οὐκ ἀγαπῶ ὑμᾶς;, ouk agapō hymas?):
    • "οὐκ" (ouk): A negative particle, "not." Combined with the interrogative structure, it underscores the rhetorical nature of the question.
    • "ἀγαπῶ" (agapao): The Greek verb for "love," specifically referring to agape love – a divine, self-sacrificial, and unconditional love that wills the good of the beloved. Paul frequently uses this term to describe God's love for humanity and the love believers should have for one another. His use of this specific word here emphasizes the depth and purity of his affection.
    • "ὑμᾶς" (hymas): The plural accusative pronoun "you," referring directly to the Corinthian community.
  • "God knows" (ὁ Θεὸς οἶδεν, ho Theos oiden):
    • "ὁ Θεὸς" (ho Theos): "The God." This direct address and reference to God invoke His supreme authority and omniscience.
    • "οἶδεν" (oiden): From the verb oida, meaning "to know" with a sense of settled, inherent, or intuitive knowledge, rather than mere factual learning. It implies intimate, absolute certainty. This is a solemn appeal to God as the ultimate and infallible witness to the truth of Paul's heart and motives, functioning as a kind of oath.
  • "I do!" (ὅτι ἀγαπῶ, hoti agapō):
    • "ὅτι" (hoti): Here it serves to introduce the content of what God knows, an emphatic affirmation.
    • "ἀγαπῶ" (agapao): The verb "I love" is repeated, emphatically reaffirming his deep agape love. The "I do!" serves as a forceful, unequivocal declaration that directly contradicts the prior rhetorical question.
  • Words-group: "Why? Because I do not love you?": This rhetorical construction vividly portrays Paul's immediate and impassioned rejection of any such imputation. It shows his awareness of the insidious suggestions by his opponents and his firm determination to dismantle them. It implies, "You surely aren't suggesting that my financial decisions stem from a lack of love, are you? That would be utterly absurd!"
  • Words-group: "God knows I do!": This potent phrase transforms a personal denial into a divinely validated truth. Paul shifts the weight of his affirmation from himself to God, making his love for them a matter of divine witness. This is the ultimate ground of truth and serves as a powerful testament to his sincerity, allowing no further debate on the matter of his affection.

2 Corinthians 11 11 Bonus section

Paul's divine appeal ("God knows") reflects a profound theological and practical reliance on God as the ultimate arbiter of truth. In Jewish tradition, swearing by God was reserved for matters of utmost importance and required absolute veracity, serving as the strongest possible affirmation of innocence or truth when human testimony might be doubted. This adds significant weight to Paul's declaration, demonstrating not just his personal conviction but his willingness to be judged by the Lord concerning the purity of his affections. Furthermore, Paul's readiness to "boast" as a fool (a role he reluctantly embraces in 2 Cor 11:1) in defense of his love shows his deep commitment to their well-being, prioritizing their spiritual state over his own reputation, as the accusations against him indirectly attacked his ability to provide genuine spiritual leadership.

2 Corinthians 11 11 Commentary

Paul's exclamation in 2 Corinthians 11:11 serves as a forceful emotional and spiritual defense against insidious accusations. False teachers likely manipulated his self-sufficient ministry—an act of integrity meant to protect the Corinthians and the Gospel's credibility—into a perceived slight or sign of deficient apostleship. By challenging the Corinthians with the rhetorical "Why? Because I do not love you?", Paul exposes the sheer absurdity of such a claim. His immediate and emphatic appeal to "God knows I do!" is more than an emotional outburst; it's a solemn oath and an ultimate declaration of his pure motives, calling upon the omniscient Creator as his witness. This not only authenticates his profound agape love for them but also demonstrates his readiness to suffer misjudgment rather than compromise the integrity of the Gospel or burden the church. It illustrates that true, spiritual love (agape) can manifest in ways that are unconventional and might be easily misconstrued by those with self-serving motives.