I Seek You, Not Yours

Read aloud

Paul admits that he has acted like a fool, but he says the Corinthians drove him to it. They should have commended him, because he is in no way inferior to the so-called super-apostles, even though he considers himself nothing. True apostolic signs were performed among them with perseverance.

Paul's unusual concern is that he was not a burden to them. He asks them to forgive him this “wrong,” using irony to expose how strange their accusation has become. They have treated his refusal to take their money as evidence against him, when it was part of his care for them.

He is ready to visit a third time, but he will not seek their possessions. He seeks them. Paul uses the picture of children and parents: children do not save up for their parents; parents save up for their children. He is glad to spend himself and his resources for their souls. The point is his generous care for this church, not a rule forbidding adult children to help parents in need.

Paul takes up the charge that he may have caught them by trickery despite not accepting their money. His questions answer that suspicion: did anyone he sent exploit them? Did Titus do so? They walked in the same Spirit and followed the same steps. The defense is not simply about Paul winning an argument. He wants the Corinthians to see the difference between love that gives itself and leadership that uses people for gain.