2 Corinthians Chapter 11 · Verse 9
And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παρὼν
when I was present
G3918
παρὼν
when I was present
Strong's:
G3918
Word #:
2 of 28
to be near, i.e., at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property
πρὸς
with
G4314
πρὸς
with
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 28
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑστερηθεὶς
wanted
G5302
ὑστερηθεὶς
wanted
Strong's:
G5302
Word #:
6 of 28
to be later, i.e., (by implication) to be inferior; generally, to fall short (be deficient)
κατενάρκησα
chargeable
G2655
κατενάρκησα
chargeable
Strong's:
G2655
Word #:
8 of 28
to grow utterly torpid, i.e., (by implication) slothful (figuratively, expensive)
οὐδενός·
to no man
G3762
οὐδενός·
to no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
9 of 28
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὶ
the brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὶ
the brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
16 of 28
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἐλθόντες
which came
G2064
ἐλθόντες
which came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
17 of 28
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
18 of 28
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀβαρῆ
from being burdensome
G4
ἀβαρῆ
from being burdensome
Strong's:
G4
Word #:
23 of 28
weightless, i.e., (figuratively) not burdensome
ἐμαυτὸν
myself
G1683
ἐμαυτὸν
myself
Strong's:
G1683
Word #:
25 of 28
of myself so likewise the dative case ?????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-to'"/>, and accusative case ??????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-ton'"/>
τηρήσω
so will I keep
G5083
τηρήσω
so will I keep
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
26 of 28
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
Cross References
1 Thessalonians 2:6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.1 Thessalonians 2:9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Historical Context
Paul's tentmaking trade (Acts 18:3) allowed him to support himself while planting churches. The arrival of Silas and Timothy with financial support from Macedonia (Acts 18:5) enabled him to devote himself fully to preaching. Yet he continued refusing Corinthian support to maintain his distinctive witness against the mercenary false teachers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's willingness to experience want rather than compromise his witness challenge modern expectations of ministerial comfort?
- In what situations might accepting or refusing financial support be strategically important for gospel credibility?
- What motivates your ministry—the people you serve or the support you receive? How would you know the difference?
Analysis & Commentary
And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. Paul's determination appears in the perfect tense katenarekēsa (κατενάρκησα, 'I was burdensome') negated—and future tērēsō (τηρήσω, 'I will keep').
Hysterētheis (ὑστερηθείς, 'being in want/need') acknowledges Paul experienced genuine material lack while in Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). Yet rather than burden the Corinthians, he worked with his hands and accepted help from the brethren which came from Macedonia (likely Silas and Timothy, Acts 18:5, bringing the Philippian gift, Phil 4:15).
The emphatic in all things (en panti, ἐν παντί) and so will I keep myself shows Paul's unwavering commitment to financial independence from the Corinthians. This wasn't ascetic self-sufficiency but strategic gospel defense. His policy prevented false apostles from claiming he was in it for money and demonstrated that true apostolic ministry serves rather than exploits.