2 Corinthians Chapter 11 · Verse 7
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
Original Language Analysis
ἐποίησα
Have I committed
G4160
ἐποίησα
Have I committed
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
3 of 16
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἐμαυτὸν
myself
G1683
ἐμαυτὸν
myself
Strong's:
G1683
Word #:
4 of 16
of myself so likewise the dative case ?????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-to'"/>, and accusative case ??????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-ton'"/>
ταπεινῶν
in abasing
G5013
ταπεινῶν
in abasing
Strong's:
G5013
Word #:
5 of 16
to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
9 of 16
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
13 of 16
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 12:13For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.1 Corinthians 9:6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?2 Corinthians 10:1Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: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
In Greco-Roman culture, teachers and philosophers typically charged fees proportional to their claimed status. Free teaching was considered inferior. The 'super-apostles' demanded support as their due, while Paul's refusal was interpreted as evidence of inferior apostleship. Paul turns this upside down—true apostles serve, not exploit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does our consumer culture's expectation that 'you get what you pay for' clash with the gospel's free grace and servant ministry?
- In what ways might Christian leaders' lifestyles and financial expectations contradict the gospel of Christ who became poor for us?
- When have you seen genuine servant-leadership criticized because it didn't fit cultural expectations of status and compensation?
Analysis & Commentary
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? Paul's rhetorical question highlights the absurdity: he is criticized for working with his hands to support himself rather than accepting payment from the Corinthians. His self-abasement (emauton tapeinōn, ἐμαυτὸν ταπεινῶν, 'humbling myself') through manual labor that ye might be exalted follows Christ's pattern (Phil 2:5-8; 2 Cor 8:9).
Freely (dōrean, δωρεάν, 'as a gift, without charge') echoes Jesus's command (Matt 10:8). Paul's tentmaking (Acts 18:3) removed any suspicion of mercenary motives—he sought their souls, not their money (12:14). The false apostles, conversely, demanded financial support as proof of their authority and exploited the Corinthians' resources (11:20).
The hamartian (ἁμαρτίαν, 'sin/offence') Paul ironically asks about is actually Christlike servant-leadership. The gospel proclaims that Christ became poor to make us rich (8:9); Paul enacted this by voluntarily lowering his status to elevate the Corinthians spiritually. His self-support modeled the gospel's grace and prevented accusations of greed.