2 Corinthians 12:11-18
I Seek You, Not Yours
11I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
12The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.
13In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.
17Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?
18I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?
Berean Standard Bible
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.
He asks whether he exploited them through Titus or the brother who traveled with him. 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.
Questions
1 What did Paul say the Corinthians should have done?
AnswerHe said they should have commended him because he was not inferior to the super-apostles.
2 What did Paul seek from the Corinthians?
AnswerHe sought the Corinthians themselves, not their possessions, because he loved them as a parent loves children.
3 How did Paul describe parental care?
AnswerHe said parents should save up for their children rather than children for their parents.
4 What question did Paul ask about Titus?
AnswerHe asked whether Titus had exploited them and reminded them that they walked in the same Spirit.
What This Means for Us
Love does not keep a scorecard of what it can extract. In family and church leadership, ask whether your care is aimed at people themselves or at their money, loyalty, praise, and usefulness to you.
Generosity still needs wisdom and boundaries. Spending yourself for another person's good is not the same as allowing manipulation or neglecting responsibilities God has given you.
Prayer
Father, give us the self-giving love of Christ without pride or manipulation. Help leaders serve people rather than use them, and help each of us receive care and set wise boundaries honestly. Amen.