2 Corinthians 11 9

2 Corinthians 11:9 kjv

And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

2 Corinthians 11:9 nkjv

And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.

2 Corinthians 11:9 niv

And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.

2 Corinthians 11:9 esv

And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.

2 Corinthians 11:9 nlt

And when I was with you and didn't have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 9 Meaning

In 2 Corinthians 11:9, the Apostle Paul articulates his financial independence from the Corinthian church during his ministry among them. He explains that even when he experienced material needs, he deliberately avoided being a financial burden to anyone in Corinth. His needs were instead fully met by believers who came from Macedonia, specifically. This verse reinforces his consistent practice of maintaining a self-supported ministry or receiving support from other churches, ensuring he remained completely non-burdensome to the Corinthians, a practice he pledges to continue.

2 Corinthians 11 9 Context

Chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians finds Paul vigorously defending his apostleship against "super-apostles" or false teachers who had infiltrated the Corinthian church. These opponents boasted of their eloquence, their credentials, and often demanded financial support, portraying Paul's refusal of funds from the Corinthians as a sign of weakness or lesser apostleship. Paul uses irony and "foolish boasting" to highlight the sincerity of his ministry. He points out that he deliberately waived his legitimate right to financial support from the Corinthians, not out of lack of love or ability, but as a strategic choice to distinguish himself from those who exploited them, and to remove any possible accusation of greed or ulterior motives. This particular verse reinforces that his self-sufficiency wasn't due to personal wealth but because other, less prosperous, churches willingly supplied his needs, underscoring his pure motives and love for the Corinthian believers.

2 Corinthians 11 9 Word analysis

• And when I was present with you (καὶ παρὼν πρὸς ὑμᾶς): Signifies Paul's personal, on-the-ground ministry among them, not merely by letter or proxy. It refers to his active involvement and physical presence during the founding and nurturing of the church in Corinth.
• and wanted (καὶ ὑστερηθεὶς): The Greek verb `hystereō` (ὑστερέω), in its passive form here, means "to be lacking, to be in need of, to fall short." It confirms Paul genuinely experienced material lack or financial distress at times, implying real deprivation. This was not a pretense of need but an actual state.
• I was chargeable to no man (οὐ κατενάρκησα οὐδενός): The Greek verb `katanarkaō` (καταναρκάω) is quite unique, appearing only in Paul's letters (2 Cor 11:9, 12:14, 12:16). It means "to be a burden to, to impose upon," often implying a financial imposition that can cause weariness or spiritual sluggishness. Paul vehemently asserts he caused no one financial burden or spiritual drain due to monetary demands.
• for that which was lacking to me (τὸ γὰρ ὑστέρημά μου): This reiterates and explains the reason for external aid, emphasizing that his needs (his `hysterēma`, again the sense of lack or deficiency) were real.
• the brethren which came from Macedonia (οἱ ἐλθόντες ἀδελφοὶ ἀπὸ Μακεδονίας): Points to specific individuals from another geographical region known for its churches (like Philippi and Thessalonica). This highlights that his support came from external, loyal sources, not from the local Corinthians, and was voluntary, demonstrating a contrast.
• supplied (προσανεπλήρωσαν): A strong compound verb in Greek, `pros-ana-plēroō` (προσανεπληρόω), meaning "to fill up in addition, to fully supply, to supplement generously." This indicates the Macedonian believers completely and abundantly met Paul's needs, overcoming his deficiencies with their generosity. It goes beyond mere provision to signify ample replenishment.
• and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you (καὶ ἐν παντὶ ἐμαυτὸν ἀβαρῆ ὑμῖν ἐτήρησα): `Abarēs` (ἀβαρής) means "not burdensome, light, not heavy." Paul stresses a consistent, comprehensive policy ("in all things" / "in every way") of keeping himself `abarēs` towards the Corinthians. This was a deliberate and maintained practice throughout his relationship with them.
• and so will I keep myself (καὶ τηρήσω): The future tense `tērēō` (τηρέω, "I will keep/guard/observe") signifies Paul's firm, unwavering commitment to this principle. This was not a temporary measure but a fundamental and enduring aspect of his ministry approach to the Corinthian church.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
• "And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man": This phrase captures the integrity of Paul's ministry. Despite his actual physical presence and personal needs among them, he deliberately and successfully prevented any financial encumbrance to the Corinthian believers. This was a critical demonstration of his pure motives compared to the opportunistic false apostles.
• "for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied": This explains how Paul maintained his financial independence from Corinth. It shows that God's provision for his needs came through other committed believers from a different region, showcasing Christian interdependence across churches and highlighting the extraordinary generosity of the Macedonian Christians even in their poverty (2 Cor 8:1-5).
• "and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself": This powerful concluding statement reiterates Paul's comprehensive and future-oriented commitment. It wasn't a one-off event but an established and enduring principle in his relationship with the Corinthians, ensuring his ministry to them would always be free of financial obligations. This was foundational to preserving the spiritual purity of his message and their reception of it.

2 Corinthians 11 9 Bonus section

Paul's choice in Corinth (and initially in Thessalonica) was a specific strategic exception rather than a universal rule for all ministry, as evidenced by his teachings on ministerial support elsewhere (e.g., 1 Cor 9:6-14, 1 Tim 5:18). He understood the cultural climate in Corinth was uniquely prone to suspicion regarding itinerant teachers and sophists who often charged exorbitant fees. By not accepting support from them, Paul deliberately presented himself differently from these charlatans, even taking measures that some might interpret as "foolish" (as he ironically calls it) to preserve the spiritual welfare and perception of his mission. His refusal to accept payment, while financially covered by other churches, was therefore a powerful apologetic, demonstrating his unconditional love and proving that he preached the gospel without hidden agenda or manipulation. It also potentially served as a subtle rebuke to the wealthier Corinthians who were less generous, showing that the gospel advanced through the sacrificial giving of even poorer churches, and that Paul did not "need" their reluctant money.

2 Corinthians 11 9 Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:9 succinctly captures Paul's intentional choice to forego his apostolic right to be supported by the Corinthians, even when experiencing material lack. This decision, though counter-cultural for a traveling orator/teacher of his day, served multiple crucial purposes: it safeguarded his ministry from accusations of greed, it modeled sacrificial service, and it powerfully contrasted his genuine commitment with the mercenary motives of the false apostles. The provision from Macedonian churches (e.g., Philippi, which excelled in giving, Phil 4:15-16) allowed Paul to maintain this non-burdensome stance, reinforcing the inter-church fellowship and the broader body of Christ's care. His pledge to continue this practice underscores its enduring importance for preserving the integrity of the Gospel and his unique relationship with the Corinthians. This passage challenges ministers to consider how their financial practices impact their credibility and the receptivity of their audience, prioritizing the Gospel's advance above personal gain. For believers, it highlights the importance of generosity towards ministers, as demonstrated by the Macedonians, enabling effective outreach.