2 Corinthians 12 16

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 verses

2 Corinthians 12 16 Meaning

2 Corinthians 12:16 is a rhetorical statement where the Apostle Paul anticipates and addresses a potential accusation from his critics within the Corinthian church. He concedes that he did not directly burden them financially, affirming his previous commitment to self-support. However, he then presents the accusation that his opponents might make: that despite this apparent non-burdening, he was still "crafty" (shrewd in a negative sense) and "caught" them "with guile" (deceit). Paul is not admitting guilt, but rather ironically repeating and refuting the charge that he cleverly manipulated them through indirect means for financial gain, possibly through his associates or by leveraging the collection for the saints.

2 Corinthians 12 16 Context

Paul's second letter to the Corinthians is largely a defense of his apostolic authority and integrity against opponents, likely "super-apostles" (2 Cor 11:5) who challenged his leadership. Chapter 12 specifically involves Paul "boasting" in his weaknesses, visions, and experiences, all to demonstrate the genuineness of his calling versus his rivals who boasted in worldly strength.

This verse fits into Paul's recurring theme of refusing financial support from the Corinthians. He maintained this policy to avoid being a burden and to distinguish his ministry from that of mercenary preachers, as well as to eliminate any grounds for his detractors to criticize him (2 Cor 11:7-12). In verses 13-15 of chapter 12, Paul reaffirms that he did not burden them and would not in the future, stating his true love for them. He plans a third visit, again affirming his commitment not to be a financial drain, but rather to serve them as spiritual parents serving their children.

Against this backdrop, verse 16 presents Paul’s rhetorical retort. His opponents, unable to deny his direct financial abstinence, likely pivoted their attack, suggesting he still extracted resources indirectly through deceit or through his associates (like Titus), thereby undermining his claimed integrity. Paul is exposing their baseless accusations, turning their anticipated slander back on them. The use of strong, negative terms like "crafty" and "guile" is an ironic echo of the very language his adversaries might have used to impugn him. Historically, itinerate philosophers and sophists of the time often charged for their teaching; Paul consciously separated himself from this practice in Corinth.

2 Corinthians 12 16 Word analysis

• But be it so: (Ἔστω δέ, Estō de) This phrase indicates a concession or an assumption, often used in rhetorical arguments. Paul is saying, "Let it be granted for the sake of argument" or "Suppose that were true." He is hypothetically agreeing to one part of an accusation (that he did not directly burden them) to then dismantle the more insidious follow-up charge.
• I did not burden you: (ἐγὼ οὐ κατεβάρησα ὑμᾶς, egō ou katebarēsa hymas) Katebarēsa (from katabareō) means "to weigh down," "oppress," or "be a burden to." It emphasizes the financial strain. Paul has consistently stated his policy of not accepting material support from the Corinthians (cf. 2 Cor 11:7-12; 1 Cor 9:18).
• nevertheless,: (ἀλλά, alla) This is a strong adversative particle, meaning "but," "nevertheless," or "on the contrary." Here, it introduces the alternative charge that his opponents likely put forth or would put forth.
• being crafty,: (ὑπάρχων πανουργός, hyparchōn panourgos) Panourgos (crafty, cunning, artful, shrewd) can sometimes be used positively (e.g., shrewdness in Pro 1:4) but almost exclusively has a negative connotation in the New Testament, implying deceitful or unscrupulous cleverness. Paul applies it to the serpent in 2 Cor 11:3. By saying "being crafty," Paul is ironically voicing the charge against himself from the perspective of his accusers. It refers to an established character or way of operating ("being").
• I caught you: (ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἔλαβον, egō hymas elabon) Elabon (from lambanō) means "I took," "I seized," "I apprehended," or "I caught." In this context, combined with "guile," it evokes the imagery of trapping an animal or catching fish with bait, suggesting manipulation and trickery.
• with guile.: (δόλῳ, dolō) Dólos refers to deceit, cunning, fraud, or trickery, often implying hidden or subtle methods. It carries a consistently negative ethical sense in the New Testament (cf. Rom 3:13; 1 Pet 2:1). The charge suggests Paul was using underhanded, deceptive methods to achieve his goals, which would contradict his declared honesty and direct approach to ministry (2 Cor 4:2).

Words-group analysis:

• "But be it so, I did not burden you:" Paul initially grants the established truth: his direct financial non-dependence on them. This creates a rhetorical space, acknowledging what is undeniably true to set up the new, indirect accusation he’s about to dismantle.
• "nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile." This clause presents the core accusation, voiced ironically by Paul, which he is preparing to refute. The critics allege that Paul, though not overtly taking money, secretly maneuvered, used his cunning nature (panourgos), and employed deceptive tactics (dolos) to manipulate the Corinthians into yielding resources, perhaps through collection initiatives or his intermediaries like Titus.

2 Corinthians 12 16 Bonus section

The accusation of panourgos (craftiness) and dolos (guile) was particularly cutting for Paul, as he himself strongly condemned such tactics and explicitly distinguished his ministry from them (e.g., 2 Cor 4:2; 1 Thess 2:3). This highlights the ironic and rhetorical nature of his statement – he would never truly claim these attributes for himself in ministry. The opponents likely exploited the cultural skepticism surrounding itinerant teachers who often sought payment or patronage. By steadfastly refusing direct payment, Paul aimed to separate his divine commission from worldly enterprises.

2 Corinthians 12 16 Commentary

In 2 Corinthians 12:16, Paul brilliantly uses a rhetorical device known as aposiopesis or anticipated accusation. He voices the probable, unstated charge of his detractors, thereby stripping them of the ability to present it as a new revelation. Having already stated unequivocally that he did not directly burden the Corinthians financially, he knew his opponents might concede this point, but then pivot to a more insidious attack: that he achieved his ends indirectly through subtle cunning and deceit. This implies Paul was aware they might suggest his integrity was merely a facade.

The essence of the charge is that Paul, despite his outward claim of financial independence, somehow exploited the Corinthians. This exploitation could be imagined through the collection he was organizing for the Jerusalem saints (Chapters 8-9) or via the financial arrangements of his trusted co-workers like Titus (cf. 2 Cor 12:17-18). By sarcastically admitting the charge that he was "crafty" and used "guile," Paul immediately prepares to demolish it in the subsequent verses (12:17-18), underscoring his consistent integrity and transparency. His ministry, he affirms, was founded on truth, not manipulative cleverness or deceit, distinguishing himself starkly from the "false apostles" (2 Cor 11:13) who indeed operated with guile. His intention was to win them to Christ, not to profit from them.