2 Corinthians 11:9-11 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me,nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knowsI do!
Paul continues to claim financial independence from the Corinthians by reminding them that when he was in need, believers from Macedonia brought to him what he needed. It is interesting that he mentions the Macedonians here since they were mentioned earlier in chs. 8 and 9 as churches that gave sacrificially to the Jerusalem offering even in their own difficult situation. Paul does not bring that up at this point but only to remind the Corinthians that he was not a burden to them.
Behind this passage may lie the patron/client social system of that time. Paul was the patron who gave the Corinthians the true gospel. They were obligated to him for the truth. By accepting support from the Corinthians, Paul would have taken the position of the client and been obligated to them instead. He must have determined in this situation that it was better that he not be dependent in any way upon them because he needed to be in a position of full authority. This was needed not for his own sake or selfish ambition, but because the Corinthians were weak in their convictions and spiritual growth. It then could be that the “super apostles” had come into Corinth with just the opposite and assumed the position of patrons with claims of authority and dishing out a different version of the gospel. So, Paul is reminding them here of his position relative to the grace of God in Christ.
The strong rhetoric continues to increase with vv. 10-11. Paul’s conscience is clear because he has the truth of Christ in him. What this “truth” is is not clear here. It could refer to the gospel message or simple that Paul feels no conviction about what he is claiming or guilt about this situation. His boasting is based on facts, and if need be, the believers of Achaia could verify all that he is saying. He has proof to back up his claims. If this was a court case (deliberative rhetoric), then Paul is proving that he is correct and in the right, and the Corinthians are in the wrong.
Verse 11 is a brief pause to remind the Corinthians that Paul loves them, with God as witness. Paul’s motives are pure. He is writing this letter and this strong message of blame and shame in order to help them return to the truth of the gospel. This is not about him or his position of power but it is about the eternal status of the Corinthians. This is not just a simple disagreement because the truth of the gospel is at stake.
We may not see this type of situation often. Most disagreements are over trivial matters. But there are times when we may see someone wander from the truth. We may need to act in stronger ways to warn them of their danger. But as we do this, we must be loving, even if we must be firm. When eternity matters, we must do all we can to point people in the right direction.
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