March 5, 2006
DID I MAKE GAIN OF YOU?
2 Corinthians 12:13-21

   The question is rhetorical, but the hurt was real. Paul was not asking whether or not he had profited or gained financially through his labors and ministry at Corinth. His question was, "Did I defraud, cheat or take unfair advantage of you?" (2 Corinthians 12:17). Was there anything dishonorable or underhanded in all his dealings with the saints at Corinth?
   Greek readers will recognize by Paul's word order that the answer was a strong, "NO!" He expanded the question to include Titus, his co-worker, and any other associate. No charge had merit for they all walked in the same spirit and steps. Both by intent and action, Paul was their pattern as he followed the Lord ministering the gospel and finding God's strength in his own weakness.
   Written with some irony, Paul even asked their forgiveness for his refusal to accept their financial support. He continued explaining how children (the Corinthians) were not responsible to lay up treasures for the parents (Father Paul), but it was the other way around. How affectionate is the reasoning of grace! And Paul's ministry was a sacrifice of love, working tirelessly for their spiritual and physical well-being. As their spiritual father, he would "very gladly spend and be financially exhausted for you (the children)," even though "the more abundantly he loved them, the less" they loved in return.
   This was the setting for his question, did they honestly feel he had "made gain" of them? Nothing could be further from the truth.  He asked, "Have you been thinking that we make excuses for ourselves to you?" His oath in reply, "we speak before God in Christ, and do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying (up-building)" (2 Cor. 12:19).
   Paul feared, "lest when I come I shall not find you as I would like, and then you will find me as you would not like, and lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults, and lest when I come again, my God will humble me among you and I shall bewail many who have sinned heretofore, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed" (12:20-21). Now they need to face Paul – later the Lord, for "the grace of God that brings salvation...teaches us to deny ungodliness...and live soberly and righteously...looking for that blessed hope (Tit. 2:11-12).

Ivan L. Burgener