2 Corinthians 12:17 kjv
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
2 Corinthians 12:17 nkjv
Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?
2 Corinthians 12:17 niv
Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you?
2 Corinthians 12:17 esv
Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?
2 Corinthians 12:17 nlt
But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?
2 Corinthians 12 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 12:18 | "I wished Titus to go, and with him sent the brother" | Direct continuation of the thought |
| 2 Cor 11:7 | "Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I freely preached to you the gospel of God?" | Paul's prior assertion of not exploiting them |
| 1 Thes 2:9 | "For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God." | Paul's commitment to not being a burden |
| Acts 18:3 | "And when he came to Corinth, he fell in with them, and by his trade he was a tentmaker." | Paul's practical trade for self-support |
| Phil 4:16 | "For ye sent once and again unto my necessity." | Corinth's prior support mentioned |
| Phil 4:17 | "Not that I seek a gift: but I seek for the fruit that may abound to your account." | Paul's focus on spiritual growth, not financial gain |
| 1 Cor 9:12 | "If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ." | Paul abstaining from rights to protect the gospel |
| 1 Cor 9:14 | "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." | Principle of gospel workers living from the gospel |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." | Requirement of faithfulness for stewards |
| 1 Cor 4:5 | "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." | The ultimate judge is the Lord |
| Gal 4:19 | "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you," | Paul's parental affection and labor |
| 1 Tim 5:17-18 | "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." | Recognition for those who minister |
| 2 Tim 2:6 | "The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits." | Principle of deserving reward for labor |
| John 4:36 | "And he that reaped receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reaped may rejoice together." | The reward for sowing and reaping spiritual fruit |
| 1 Peter 5:2-3 | "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." | Shepherdlike oversight, not for selfish gain |
| 1 Cor 1:11 | "For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the household of Chloe, that there are contentions among you." | Disagreements and issues in the Corinthian church |
| 1 Cor 4:15-16 | "For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." | Paul as spiritual father to Corinthians |
| Deut 19:15 | "One witness shall not rise up against a man for anyiquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established." | The principle of corroboration by multiple witnesses |
| Luke 21:1-4 | The widow's mite, illustrating giving from poverty, contrasting with ostentatious giving. | Theme of true giving vs. outward show |
| Prov 11:24-25 | "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be fat: and he that watereth shall be watered himself." | The principle of generous giving bringing abundance |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 17 Meaning
The verse states that the apostle Paul, through his messengers, had not defrauded or taken advantage of the Corinthian believers. It emphasizes that his intentions were pure, and the Corinthians themselves were witnesses to this, along with God. This passage underscores Paul's integrity and the selflessness of his ministry.
2 Corinthians 12 17 Context
This verse is part of Paul's defense of his apostleship in the second letter to the Corinthians. The preceding verses (12:11-16) show Paul continuing his self-defense, highlighting his selfless labor for the Corinthians, contrasting himself with the "super-apostles" who sought personal gain. He had previously expressed regret about the length of his defense but felt it necessary. He reiterates that he has not been a burden to them and expresses his ultimate desire for their spiritual maturity, not their financial resources. The mention of Titus and another brother who visited Corinth further solidifies the claim of his integrity. This entire section addresses the challenges and accusations Paul faced from some within the Corinthian church.
2 Corinthians 12 17 Word Analysis
- "Ye": Second-person plural pronoun. Refers to the Corinthian believers collectively.
- "have": Present tense verb. Indicates a continuing state or possession.
- "sent": Past tense verb. Refers to actions previously undertaken, likely involving messengers or agents.
- "our": First-person plural possessive pronoun. Refers to Paul and those who ministered with him.
- "messenger": (Greek: angelos) Primarily means "messenger," "one sent," but can also refer to celestial beings. In this context, it means human emissaries.
- "that": Conjunction introducing a purpose clause.
- "we": First-person plural pronoun. Refers to Paul and his associates.
- "had defrauded": (Greek: plēroumenous) Literally "to fill," "to fulfill," or "to take full advantage of." Here, it implies taking advantage of them, perhaps financially or in some exploitative manner. The KJV uses "defrauded," which captures this sense of illicit gain or deception.
- "or": Conjunction presenting an alternative.
- "of": Preposition indicating source or origin.
- "you": Second-person plural pronoun. Refers to the Corinthians.
- "by": Preposition indicating the means or agent.
- "any": Determiner, indicating no exceptions.
- "of": Preposition.
- "us": First-person plural pronoun. Refers to Paul and his companions.
Group of words analysis:
- "that we had defrauded you by any of us": This phrase speaks to the Corinthians being taken advantage of by Paul or his associates. The use of "plēroumenous" in the Greek suggests a potential for them to be "filled up" by these representatives, which in a negative sense implies being exploited or tricked into giving more than they should, or being filled with false notions by deceptive teachers. Paul asserts this did not happen.
2 Corinthians 12 17 Bonus Section
This verse concludes a section where Paul addresses the very "weaknesses" his opponents exploited. By demonstrating his integrity, lack of exploitation, and genuine love, he highlights that true apostolic authority stems not from worldly credentials or self-promotion, but from a life lived for Christ and dedicated to the edification of the church, even at personal cost. The mention of "us" suggests a team ministry, reflecting the collaborative nature of the early church's evangelistic efforts. The reliance on the witness of Titus and another unnamed brother reinforces the communal aspect of accountability in the church.
2 Corinthians 12 17 Commentary
Paul assures the Corinthians that he and his companions have not enriched themselves at their expense. He appeals to their own experience as confirmation. This defense is crucial because the opposing teachers ("super-apostles") likely contrasted Paul's apparent lack of material wealth and recognition with their own boasting and demands for support. Paul’s ministry was characterized by selfless dedication, evident in his willingness to work (as a tentmaker) rather than exploit them financially, even though he had a right to be supported (1 Cor 9:14). His concern was their spiritual well-being and growth in Christ, not personal gain. The verse affirms his integrity and the purity of his motives in his apostolic mission, trusting that the Corinthians, as well as God, could attest to this. It highlights the stewardship principle that true servants of God are faithful and not driven by greed.