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Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
Paul explains why he has spoken about himself and shows that his concern is not money or reputation, but the good of the Corinthian believers. He wants them built up, and he fears finding serious sin when he comes.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of the letter, Paul addresses the Corinthians directly about his boasting, his ministry among them, his refusal to burden them financially, and his plans to visit again. He also names attitudes and behaviours he fears he may find, including ongoing unrepentant sexual sin.
2 Corinthians 12:11–21Main takeaway
Paul’s defence of his ministry in this passage serves his larger aim of building up the Corinthians and urging repentance.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Boasting, weakness, and apostolic signsPaul says he has become foolish in boasting, yet the Corinthians had pushed him into it because they should have commended him.
Explanation
Paul says he has become foolish in boasting, yet the Corinthians had pushed him into it because they should have commended him. He says he is not inferior to the “very best apostles”, though he is nothing. He points to perseverance, signs, wonders, and mighty works as marks of his apostleship among them.
02He seeks them, not their possessionsPaul says the Corinthians were not made inferior to other assemblies, except that he did not burden them, which he states with irony.
Explanation
Paul says the Corinthians were not made inferior to other assemblies, except that he did not burden them, which he states with irony. As he prepares for a third visit, he repeats that he will not be a burden. His concern is for the people themselves, pictured in the parent-child comparison.
03Love that spends itselfPaul says he will gladly “spend and be spent” for their souls, even while asking whether greater love from him has brought less love in return.
Explanation
Paul says he will gladly “spend and be spent” for their souls, even while asking whether greater love from him has brought less love in return. He then raises and answers a possible accusation of craftiness by asking whether he or any messenger he sent took advantage of them.
04Speaking for their edifyingPaul says he is not merely making excuses to them. He speaks “in the sight of God” and “in Christ”, and he calls them beloved.
Explanation
Paul says he is not merely making excuses to them. He speaks “in the sight of God” and “in Christ”, and he calls them beloved. The purpose of what he says is their edifying, so his defence is tied to their growth rather than to protecting his image.
05Fear of conflict and unrepentant sinPaul fears that when he comes, the relationship may be painful on both sides. He lists quarrels and destructive attitudes he does not want to find.
Explanation
Paul fears that when he comes, the relationship may be painful on both sides. He lists quarrels and destructive attitudes he does not want to find. He also fears mourning over those who have sinned already and still have not repented of uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Paul say he spoke in a way that sounded like boasting?
Look at how he says the Corinthians should have responded to him and how he balances his claim with humility.
02What shows that Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians was not driven by money?
Notice his repeated refusal to be a burden and his statement that he sought them, not their possessions.
03What kinds of things does Paul fear finding when he comes, and why would that grieve him?
Read the list of community sins and the mention of people who had not repented.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Corinthians 12:11–21
11I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.
12Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
13For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
16Even so, I myself didn’t burden you. But you might say that being crafty, I caught you with deception.
17Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you?
18I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?
19Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that perhaps there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots,
21that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed.