2 Corinthians 12:16 kjv
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
2 Corinthians 12:16 nkjv
But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
2 Corinthians 12:16 niv
Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!
2 Corinthians 12:16 esv
But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit.
2 Corinthians 12:16 nlt
Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery.
2 Corinthians 12 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 11:7 | Did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I freely preached God's gospel to you? | Echoes self-sacrifice for the benefit of others. |
| 2 Cor 11:9 | And when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone, for what I lacked the brothers supplied when they came from Macedonia. So in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and I will keep myself from being a burden. | Reinforces the assertion of not being a burden. |
| Acts 18:3 | And because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. | Provides context for Paul's self-sufficiency through his trade. |
| 1 Cor 9:12 | If others share this right over you, do not we also possess it even more? But we did not use this right, so that we might not inflict any hindrance on the gospel of Christ. | Parallels the theme of forfeiting rights to benefit the Gospel. |
| 1 Thes 2:9 | For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. | Another instance of Paul emphasizing his lack of burden to believers. |
| Phil 4:10 | I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. | Shows that the Corinthians did have care for Paul, but lacked means. |
| Gal 4:12 | I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. | Paul expresses a desire for closeness and understanding with them. |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. | Relates to the underlying tensions Paul is addressing in Corinth. |
| 2 Cor 1:24 | Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. | Contrasts potential imposition with partnership in faith. |
| 1 Peter 5:2 | Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God chooses; not for shameful gain, but eagerly. | Relates to the principle of unforced shepherding. |
| Acts 20:33 | I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. | Paul’s consistent testimony about his lack of financial exploitation. |
| Rom 12:17 | Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. | Points to Paul’s general ethical conduct in his ministry. |
| 2 Cor 11:11 | Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do. | Paul reiterates his love despite perceived shrewdness. |
| Gal 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. For whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Underlying principle of accountability in actions. |
| John 3:21 | But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that his works may be manifested that they are done in God. | Highlights the transparency Paul seeks in his ministry. |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. | The Corinthians were being tested by external influences. |
| 2 Cor 11:2 | For I feel a godly jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. | Paul’s spiritual fatherhood and protection over the church. |
| Eph 5:27 | so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. | Christ's ultimate intention for the church, which Paul reflects. |
| 2 Cor 11:13 | For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. | Directly contrasts Paul with manipulative false apostles. |
| Phil 1:16 | the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. | Paul’s ministry was motivated by love for the Gospel and its defense. |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. | The power and nature of the Gospel Paul proclaimed. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. | The responsibility of spiritual leaders as stewards. |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 16 Meaning
Paul states that he did not burden the Corinthians, but rather that he dealt shrewdly with them and captured them by deceit. This implies a perceived intention on Paul's part to take advantage of them, a concern he is addressing directly.
2 Corinthians 12 16 Context
This verse is the conclusion of Paul's defense in chapter 12, where he has been recounting his apostolic credentials and spiritual experiences, including his "thorn in the flesh." He anticipates criticism that he might have been deceitful or taken advantage of the Corinthians due to his apostleship. This statement is a preemptive denial of such accusations, reinforcing his integrity and genuine care for them. It comes after he has contrasted himself with the "super-apostles" who were indeed burdensome and exploitative.
2 Corinthians 12 16 Word Analysis
- μή (mē): "not" - a particle of negation.
- εἶπον (eipon): "said" or "spoke." Here it is aorist indicative active, first person singular from
legō(to speak, say). It refers to his speaking or stating something. - ἄν (an): "would" or "if" - a particle that when used with the aorist subjunctive indicates a potential or hypothetical case in the past or present, or an imperfect in past narration. Combined with
eiponit could imply a hypothetical past statement or a repeated action. - ὑμᾶς (hymas): "you" (plural, accusative) - referring to the church at Corinth.
- βαρυν (barun): "to be a burden," "to weigh down." From
barús(heavy, burdensome). It reflects the concern that his ministry might have been a physical or financial imposition. - εἰ (ei): "if" - a conditional particle.
- ἔσχον (eschon): "I had" or "I gained." Aorist indicative active, first person singular of
echō(to have, hold). Refers to possessing or obtaining something. - δὲ (de): "but" or "and" - a common conjunction indicating contrast or continuation.
- τὴν (tēn): "the" (feminine, accusative, singular) - definite article.
- ἐμαυτοῦ (emautou): "of myself" or "my own." Emphatic possessive pronoun, reflexive.
- ἔξυπνον (exypnon): "cleverly," "shrewdly," "craftily." From
exypnos(witty, clever, cunning). Adverb form. This word implies a shrewdness or cunning in dealing with them. - ἐφύλαξα (ephylaxa): "I kept," "I guarded," "I preserved." Aorist indicative active, first person singular of
phylassō(to guard, keep, watch). Here it means "I kept" or "I guarded myself" from being a burden or acting with imposition. - ὑμᾶς (hymas): "you" (plural, accusative) - referring again to the Corinthians.
Phrase/Words Group Analysis:
- "If I had you burden": This phrase poses a hypothetical scenario of being a burden. The use of "if" suggests Paul is directly addressing a potential perception or accusation.
- "I did not": This negation directly counters the hypothetical "if I had."
- "But I kept myself shrewdly/cleverly": This explains the method Paul employed. The emphasis on being "shrewdly" (or "cleverly" in some translations) guarded is key. It wasn't that he couldn't have been a burden, but that he deliberately avoided it by being mindful and strategic, not necessarily manipulative. The implication is he managed the situation with careful consideration, perhaps by working, being supported by others from outside Corinth, or avoiding dependence on them to maintain his spiritual freedom and their focus on the Gospel. It could also be seen as avoiding creating obligations or entanglement that could later be perceived as exploitation.
- "you": The repeated use of "you" (plural) signifies that Paul is addressing the entire church community collectively and is concerned about their collective perception of him.
2 Corinthians 12 16 Bonus Section
The Greek word exypnon can carry a double meaning. While it can signify genuine cleverness or shrewdness that is honorable, it can also imply cunning or craftiness associated with deception. Paul's use here, immediately followed by stating "I did not burden you," strongly suggests he's using it in the former sense—exercising wise management and forethought to avoid becoming a burden. He is not admitting to deceit but rather explaining his strategic approach to ministry to ensure the Gospel's unobstructed advance and to maintain his own integrity. His unwavering commitment to serving without demanding financial support, often resorting to his trade as a tentmaker, underscores this point. His aim was always to ensure the Corinthians' faith was in Christ, not in human leaders, and that any material support they offered was a voluntary expression of their faith and love.
2 Corinthians 12 16 Commentary
Paul concludes his intense apologetic by emphatically stating that he never burdened the Corinthians, nor did he employ any deceit in his dealings with them. This assertion directly counters the criticisms or fears of some in Corinth, particularly those influenced by the "super-apostles" who may have practiced exploitation. Paul's explanation is that he shrewdly managed his ministry so as not to be a financial or emotional weight on them. This isn't to say he was sly in a negative, deceptive way, but rather that he was deliberately circumspect, safeguarding his integrity and the purity of the Gospel message by not exploiting their affection or resources. His intent was to be free, unburdened, and therefore more effective in presenting Christ, ensuring that their allegiance was to the Lord and not to an indebted dependency on him. He acted in a way that preserved their spiritual health and his apostolic freedom, as seen in other epistles where he chose self-support to remove any hinderance to the Gospel.