December 22 Click on verses for Full Scripture	previous - - - - - - - - - - next
Today's Pathway: II Corinthians 12:13-14 For 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. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

In verses 11-12 Paul had shown that he was not in any way inferior to the other apostles. Now in verse 13 he asks whether or not the church at Corinth was inferior to the other churches that Paul had started. His point is that he personally is not inferior, and also that the church in Corinth is not inferior. There are two basic things for which someone can be criticized: who they are and what they have done. Paul has already shown that his personal testimony is on a par with other apostles, and now he reminds the church that they are on a par with other churches. Therefore, no one in Corinth can honestly complain about Paul's ministry. The only difference between the Corinthian church and other churches is that Paul did not require them to support him financially while he was with them. Apparently Paul felt that taking their money would somehow hinder his ability to have his message received by them, so he voluntarily chose not to take funds from them, and instead relied on the generosity of other churches as well as his own labors as a tent maker.

At the end of verse 13 Paul writes,

"Forgive me this wrong".

"Forgive me that I did not give you this opportunity to be equal to other churches. It is a privilege to contribute to the support of the gospel, and they who are permitted to do it should esteem themselves highly favored. I pray you to pardon me for depriving you of any of your Christian privileges."

The second opinion is that Paul is simply being sarcastic. Those who hold this position believe that Paul is saying something like this: "No wonder you people don't think I'm a good apostle. After all, I never asked you for a dime while I was with you. I treated you shamefully by laboring at a regular job and also taking other churches' money so you could keep your own money in your own pockets. Please forgive me for this".

The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle. The fact that Paul writes in verse 14 that when he returns to Corinth he will not be expecting them to contribute to his support would indicate that he is not really asking for the church's forgiveness in verse 13 because he's going to do the same thing again. While their lack of contribution to his needs may hurt them in the long run, in the short term it is necessary so that Paul can distinguish himself from the false apostles who are only in it for the money. It is crucial to Paul's work at Corinth that he not be seen as someone who is trying to enrich himself at the congregation's expense. He wants it to be obvious that his desire is not to get their money, but to get their hearts. David Guzik commented,

"This is the testimony of every godly minister. They do not serve for what they can get from God’s people but for what they can give to God’s people. They are shepherds, not hirelings.. This is the heart of Jesus towards us. We often think that what God really wants is what we have; but He really wants us. Jesus selflessly seeks our good, and His heart is for us, not for what He can “get” from us."

We will look at this further tomorrow.