2 Corinthians 11 8

2 Corinthians 11:8 kjv

I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

2 Corinthians 11:8 nkjv

I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.

2 Corinthians 11:8 niv

I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you.

2 Corinthians 11:8 esv

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

2 Corinthians 11:8 nlt

I "robbed" other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 8 Meaning

In 2 Corinthians 11:8, the Apostle Paul uses strong, ironic language to underscore his selfless ministry to the Corinthian church. He states that he "robbed" other churches by accepting financial support (wages) from them, so that he could serve the Corinthians freely and without being a financial burden. This highlights his extraordinary dedication and love for the Corinthians, setting a stark contrast with those false apostles who likely sought financial gain.

2 Corinthians 11 8 Context

This verse is part of Paul's impassioned and often ironic defense of his apostolic ministry against false apostles ("super-apostles") who had infiltrated the Corinthian church. These rivals questioned Paul's authority, integrity, and methods, potentially even his status as a true apostle, largely because of his unconventional approach to financial support. In the Greco-Roman world, itinerant rhetoricians and teachers (sophists) commonly charged fees for their services. Paul's refusal to accept payment from the Corinthians (1 Cor 9:15-18) could be interpreted by his detractors as a sign that he lacked the proper authority or deserved no support, thus devaluing his message.

However, Paul insisted on preaching the gospel "free of charge" (1 Cor 9:18) to the Corinthians, driven by his love and to remove any accusation of self-interest, allowing the gospel to flourish without perceived cost. His accusers, conversely, were likely taking funds. In chapter 11, Paul "boasts" in a self-deprecating manner, imitating his opponents' style of self-commendation but in a way that magnifies Christ and his own weakness/sacrifice. Verse 8 highlights how he sustained this selflessness for Corinth by receiving support from other less affluent churches (like those in Macedonia, e.g., Philippians 4:15-16), a move that further demonstrates his unique, Christ-like dedication and contrasts with the mercenary motives of his opponents.

2 Corinthians 11 8 Word analysis

• I robbed (ἐσύλησα, esylysa): This verb means "to strip, spoil, plunder, despoil." Paul uses hyperbole and deep irony here. He's not admitting to actual theft, but rather employing a shocking term to emphasize the dramatic extent of his sacrifice and devotion to the Corinthians. He presents himself in a seemingly unflattering light to starkly contrast with the self-aggrandizing false apostles. It was a strong rhetorical move, calculated to provoke thought about his motives.
• other churches (ἄλλας ἐκκλησίας, allas ekklēsias): Refers to the Christian communities in regions outside Corinth that provided financial aid. Historically, churches like those in Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica) were noted for their generosity, even in poverty (2 Cor 8:1-2, Phil 4:15-16). This demonstrates Paul's support network was from fellow believers, not exploiting outsiders.
• taking wages of them (λαβὼν ὀψώνιον παρʼ αὐτῶν, labōn opsōnion par autōn):
  • taking wages (ὀψώνιον, opsōnion): This term often referred to a soldier's pay or government stipend. It signifies a legitimate entitlement, not charity. Paul received lawful and deserved financial support for his ministerial service. By saying "taking wages," he affirms his right to be supported as an apostle but juxtaposes it with his decision to not exercise this right in Corinth.
  • of them (παρʼ αὐτῶν, par autōn): Indicates the source of the support was directly from these other churches, affirming a proper exchange, not coerced extraction.
• to minister unto you (πρὸς τὴν ὑμῶν διακονίαν, pros tēn hymōn diakonian):
  • to minister (διακονίαν, diakonian): This noun signifies service, ministration, or attendance, particularly in a Christian context. It refers to Paul's work of proclaiming the gospel, teaching, and caring for the Corinthians. It underscores the spiritual and practical service Paul rendered.
  • unto you (τὴν ὑμῶν, tēn hymōn): Explicitly states that the purpose of receiving support elsewhere was directly for the benefit and spiritual edification of the Corinthian believers.

Words-group analysis:

• "I robbed other churches, taking wages of them": This phrase powerfully conveys Paul's strategic choice. By describing his receipt of lawful support as "robbing," he is highlighting his radical refusal to be a financial burden on the Corinthians. The perceived "cost" to other churches enabled the "no-cost" ministry to Corinth. This inversion of expectation is key to his polemic. It wasn't theft, but a provocative way to emphasize his unselfishness relative to the false teachers.
• "to minister unto you": This directly states the ultimate motivation. All of Paul's actions, including his financial strategy, were oriented towards serving the Corinthian church. It positions his self-sacrifice and unusual financial arrangement as an act of genuine love and devotion, enabling unhindered spiritual work among them. It removes any doubt about his ultimate aim being their benefit, not his own.

2 Corinthians 11 8 Bonus section

• Rhetorical Device: Paul's use of charis-eucharistia rhetoric and hyperbole here is very sophisticated. He leverages common Greco-Roman practices of benefaction and honor to flip the script on his accusers. In that culture, a benefaction (like a service freely given) created a social debt, a burden of gratitude. By receiving from other churches for Corinth's benefit, Paul highlights how the other churches are indirectly serving Corinth. By not accepting from Corinth, he emphasizes his genuine love and desire to never be a burden, despite their spiritual debt to him.
• Impact on the Corinthians: Paul's actions here would have been a significant challenge to the Corinthian mindset. They valued rhetoric, worldly wisdom, and social status. Paul's deliberate eschewal of their financial support, at the expense of other churches, underscored that his mission was of a different kingdom, governed by self-sacrifice and grace, not earthly prestige or profit.
• Example for Ministry: This passage serves as a powerful example of sacrificial ministry. It challenges believers and leaders to evaluate their motives for service and their approach to finances, prioritizing the gospel's unimpeded advance and the spiritual well-being of the flock above personal gain or comfort. Paul demonstrates adaptability in how he receives support, always with the aim of advancing the gospel most effectively for a given context.

2 Corinthians 11 8 Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:8 reveals Paul's deep affection and strategic wisdom in ministry. Facing accusations that his refusal of support in Corinth somehow devalued him, Paul throws the charge back with ironic force. He paints a picture of himself as one who, in essence, "plundered" other generous, but often poorer, churches so that he could extend his service to the Corinthians without imposing a financial burden on them. This was not due to Corinthian poverty, but Paul's principled decision to preclude any suggestion that he was ministering for financial gain.

Paul had every right to receive wages for his apostolic labor, a right he clearly articulated in 1 Corinthians 9 and which aligns with both Old Testament (Deut 25:4) and New Testament (Luke 10:7) principles. Yet, for the Corinthians, he intentionally forewent this right. His choice was driven by a desire to avoid any stumbling block or hindrance to the gospel, separating himself from the self-serving image of itinerant teachers prevalent at the time, particularly the false apostles then operating in Corinth. This "cost-free" approach to them underscored the truth and power of the gospel, making his ministry unimpeachable by accusations of venality. His support from other churches, like the Philippians (Phil 4:15), further proves that his method wasn't a universal rejection of support, but a tailored approach specific to the unique challenges in Corinth. Ultimately, it was an extraordinary act of selfless love.