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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Corinthians 11:7 Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/11-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/47_2Co_11_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Corinthians 11:7 - Paul and the False Apostles" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_corinthians/11-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_corinthians/11-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_corinthians/">2 Corinthians</a> > <a href="/2_corinthians/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-6.htm" title="2 Corinthians 11:6">◄</a> 2 Corinthians 11:7 <a href="/2_corinthians/11-8.htm" title="2 Corinthians 11:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_corinthians/11.htm">New International Version</a> Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? <a href="/nlt/2_corinthians/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? <a href="/esv/2_corinthians/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? <a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? <a href="/blb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Or did I commit a sin, humbling myself, so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you freely? <a href="/kjv/2_corinthians/11.htm">King James Bible</a> Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? <a href="/nkjv/2_corinthians/11.htm">New King James Version</a> Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? <a href="/nasb_/2_corinthians/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? <a href="/nasb/2_corinthians/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? <a href="/nasb77/2_corinthians/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? <a href="/lsb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you without charge? <a href="/amp/2_corinthians/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Or did I [perhaps] sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted and honored, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? <a href="/csb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? <a href="/hcsb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? <a href="/asv/2_corinthians/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought? <a href="/cev/2_corinthians/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Was it wrong for me to lower myself and honor you by preaching God's message free of charge? <a href="/erv/2_corinthians/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought? <a href="/gwt/2_corinthians/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Did I commit a sin when I humbled myself by telling you the Good News of God free of charge so that you could become important? <a href="/gnt/2_corinthians/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> I did not charge you a thing when I preached the Good News of God to you; I humbled myself in order to make you important. Was that wrong of me? <a href="/isv/2_corinthians/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> Did I commit a sin when I humbled myself by proclaiming to you the gospel of God free of charge, so that you could be exalted? <a href="/net/2_corinthians/11.htm">NET Bible</a> Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you could be exalted, because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you free of charge? <a href="/nheb/2_corinthians/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God's Good News free of charge? <a href="/wbt/2_corinthians/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God without reward? <a href="/wey/2_corinthians/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Is it a sin that I abased myself in order for you to be exalted, in that I proclaimed God's Good News to you without fee or reward?<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? <a href="/web/2_corinthians/11.htm">World English Bible</a> Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_corinthians/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Did I do sin—humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I freely proclaimed the good news of God to you? <a href="/blb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Or did I commit a sin, humbling myself, so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you freely? <a href="/ylt/2_corinthians/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> The sin did I do -- myself humbling that ye might be exalted, because freely the good news of God I did proclaim to you? <a href="/slt/2_corinthians/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Or did I a sin, humbling myself that ye might be exalted, because I announced to you the good news of God gratuitously?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Or did I commit a fault, humbling myself, that you might be exalted? Because I preached unto you the gospel of God freely? <a href="/cpdv/2_corinthians/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you would be exalted? For I preached the Gospel of God to you freely. <a href="/nabre/2_corinthians/11.htm">New American Bible</a> Did I make a mistake when I humbled myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? <a href="/nrsvce/2_corinthians/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I proclaimed God’s good news to you free of charge?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_corinthians/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Probably I have acted foolishly in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God freely. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/2_corinthians/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Or have I committed a crime to humble myself that you may be exalted, and to preach The Gospel of God to you without charge?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/2_corinthians/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Have I committed a sin, in making myself lowly, that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel to you without cost? <a href="/godbey/2_corinthians/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Did I commit sin humbling myself that you may be exalted, because I preached unto you the gospel of God gratuitously? <a href="/haweis/2_corinthians/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Am I chargeable with a fault (humbling myself that you might be exalted), that I preached to you the gospel of God freely? <a href="/mace/2_corinthians/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> If I have degraded myself for your advantage by preaching the holy gospel to you gratis, is that such a trespass? <a href="/wey/2_corinthians/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Is it a sin that I abased myself in order for you to be exalted, in that I proclaimed God's Good News to you without fee or reward? <a href="/worrell/2_corinthians/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself, that ye might be exalted, because I proclaimed to you the Gospel of God without cost? <a href="/worsley/2_corinthians/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Have I committed an offence in humbling myself that ye might be exalted? and in that I have preached the gospel of God to you gratis? <a href="/parallel/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ddheG4hMg28?start=1942" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Paul and the False Apostles</a> …6Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible. 7<a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: Ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">Was it</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartian (N-AFS) -- From hamartano; a sin.">a sin</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: epoiēsa (V-AIA-1S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">for me</a> <a href="/greek/5013.htm" title="5013: tapeinōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To make or bring low, humble, humiliate; pass: To be humbled. From tapeinos; to depress; figuratively, to humiliate.">to humble</a> <a href="/greek/1683.htm" title="1683: emauton (PPro-AM1S) -- Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.">myself</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">in order to</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou."></a> <a href="/greek/5312.htm" title="5312: hypsōthēte (V-ASP-2P) -- (a) I raise on high, lift up, (b) I exalt, set on high. From hupsos; to elevate.">exalt you,</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">because</a> <a href="/greek/2097.htm" title="2097: euēngelisamēn (V-AIM-1S) -- From eu and aggelos; to announce good news especially the gospel.">I preached</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2098.htm" title="2098: euangelion (N-ANS) -- From the same as euaggelizo; a good message, i.e. The gospel.">gospel</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you</a> <a href="/greek/1432.htm" title="1432: dōrean (Adv) -- As a free gift, without payment, freely. Accusative case of dorea as adverb; gratuitously.">free of charge?</a> 8I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-18.htm">1 Corinthians 9:18</a> What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-12.htm">1 Corinthians 9:12</a> If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-15.htm">1 Corinthians 9:15</a> But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast. <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:9</a> Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-8.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:8</a> nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. <a href="/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3</a> and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was. <a href="/philippians/4-15.htm">Philippians 4:15-16</a> And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving. / For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again. <a href="/1_corinthians/4-12.htm">1 Corinthians 4:12</a> We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; <a href="/acts/20-33.htm">Acts 20:33-35</a> I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. / You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. / In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” <a href="/1_corinthians/10-33.htm">1 Corinthians 10:33</a> as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6</a> Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living? <a href="/1_corinthians/9-14.htm">1 Corinthians 9:14</a> In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-1.htm">1 Corinthians 9:1-2</a> Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? / Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. <a href="/galatians/6-6.htm">Galatians 6:6</a> Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor. <a href="/matthew/10-8.htm">Matthew 10:8</a> Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?in.<a href="/2_corinthians/10-1.htm">2 Corinthians 10:1</a> Now 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:<a href="/2_corinthians/12-13.htm">2 Corinthians 12:13</a> 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.<a href="/acts/18-1.htm">Acts 18:1-3</a> After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/18-14.htm">Abased</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-2.htm">Announced</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-20.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-8.htm">Commit</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-19.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-18.htm">Cost</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-5.htm">Exalted</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-15.htm">Free</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-8.htm">Freely</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-16.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm">God's</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-4.htm">Good</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-4.htm">Gospel</a> <a href="/matthew/10-8.htm">Gratuitously</a> <a href="/luke/18-14.htm">Humbling</a> <a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Lower</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-6.htm">Making</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-4.htm">News</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-3.htm">Offence</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-3.htm">Offense</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-3.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-4.htm">Preached</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-4.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-19.htm">Proclaimed</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-10.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-14.htm">Tidings</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-12.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/philippians/4-12.htm">Abased</a> <a href="/galatians/1-8.htm">Announced</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-13.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-18.htm">Commit</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-21.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/revelation/21-6.htm">Cost</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-7.htm">Exalted</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-33.htm">Free</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-6.htm">Freely</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-9.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-19.htm">God's</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-1.htm">Good</a> <a href="/galatians/1-6.htm">Gospel</a> <a href="/matthew/10-8.htm">Gratuitously</a> <a href="/psalms/113-6.htm">Humbling</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-3.htm">Lower</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">Making</a> <a href="/galatians/1-6.htm">News</a> <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/galatians/5-11.htm">Offence</a> <a href="/galatians/5-11.htm">Offense</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-8.htm">Order</a> <a href="/galatians/1-8.htm">Preached</a> <a href="/galatians/1-8.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/galatians/1-11.htm">Proclaimed</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-15.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-29.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/galatians/1-7.htm">Tidings</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-13.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">2 Corinthians 11</div>1. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-1.htm">Out of his jealousy over the Corinthians, he enters into a forced commendation of himself,</a> 5. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">of his equality with the chief apostles,</a> 7. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">of his preaching the gospel to them freely, and without any charge to them;</a> 13. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">showing that he was not inferior to those deceitful workers in any legal prerogative;</a> 23. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-23.htm">and in the service of Christ, and in all kinds of sufferings for his ministry, far superior.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the Greco-Roman world, humility was often seen as a weakness, yet Paul embraces it as a Christ-like virtue (<a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5-8</a>). His self-humbling is a reflection of Jesus' own humility and servanthood. This phrase challenges the cultural norms of status and honor, showing that true leadership in the Christian context is marked by humility.in order to exalt you, Paul's purpose in humbling himself was to elevate the Corinthians spiritually. This reflects the biblical principle that leaders should serve others, as seen in Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Matthew 20:26-28</a>. By exalting the Corinthians, Paul aimed to strengthen their faith and understanding of the gospel, prioritizing their spiritual growth over his own status.because I preached the gospel of God to you Paul's mission was to spread the gospel, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. The phrase "gospel of God" underscores the divine origin and authority of the message he preached. This aligns with <a href="/romans/1.htm">Romans 1:1</a>, where Paul identifies himself as set apart for the gospel of God. His preaching was not for personal gain but to fulfill his calling as an apostle.free of charge? Paul did not accept financial support from the Corinthians, which was unusual for teachers of that time who often relied on patronage. This decision was to avoid any hindrance to the gospel (<a href="/1_corinthians/9-12.htm">1 Corinthians 9:12</a>) and to distinguish himself from false apostles who exploited the church for money. His approach reflects Jesus' instruction to freely give what has been freely received (<a href="/matthew/10-8.htm">Matthew 10:8</a>). By preaching without charge, Paul demonstrated the selfless nature of true gospel ministry.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth. He is defending his ministry and the manner in which he preached the gospel to them. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_church_in_corinth.htm">The Church in Corinth</a> A Christian community in the city of Corinth, known for its diverse and often problematic congregation. Paul wrote multiple letters to them, addressing various issues and providing guidance. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_false_apostles.htm">The False Apostles</a> Individuals who were challenging Paul's authority and teachings, often promoting a different gospel and seeking financial gain. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_gospel_of_god.htm">The Gospel of God</a> The message of salvation through Jesus Christ, which Paul preached without charging the Corinthians, contrasting with the practices of the false apostles. 5. <a href="/topical/m/macedonian_churches.htm">Macedonian Churches</a> Other Christian communities that supported Paul financially, allowing him to offer the gospel freely to the Corinthians.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_ministry.htm">Humility in Ministry</a> Paul exemplifies humility by choosing to serve without financial gain, prioritizing the spiritual growth of the Corinthians over his own rights. <a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_the_gospel.htm">The Value of the Gospel</a> The gospel's worth is immeasurable, and Paul’s decision to preach it freely underscores its importance and accessibility to all. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_against_false_teachings.htm">Discernment Against False Teachings</a> Believers must be vigilant against those who preach for personal gain, ensuring that the true gospel remains untainted. <a href="/topical/s/support_for_ministry.htm">Support for Ministry</a> While Paul chose not to accept support from the Corinthians, he did receive help from other churches, highlighting the importance of supporting genuine ministry work. <a href="/topical/s/self-sacrifice_for_the_gospel.htm">Self-Sacrifice for the Gospel</a> Paul’s actions encourage believers to consider how they might sacrifice personal comforts for the advancement of the gospel.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_corinthians_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 11</a> <a href="/q/what_was_jesus'_personality_like.htm">What were Jesus' characteristics and personality like?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_christian_comfort_zone.htm">What defines a Christian comfort zone?</a> <a href="/q/why_was_paul_a_tentmaker.htm">Why did the apostle Paul work as a tentmaker?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_the_'shepherd'_in_zech._13_7.htm">Zechariah 13:7 - Who is the 'shepherd' in this verse, and why does the text imply that God himself would strike him, which seems contradictory to other passages?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_corinthians/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) Have I committed an offence (literally, a sin) in abasing myself . . .?--The rival teachers apparently boasted of their disinterestedness. "They didn't come for what they could get." St. Paul, we know, more than most men, had acted on the law of which they boasted as their special distinction, and in <a href="/context/1_corinthians/9-1.htm" title="Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you my work in the Lord?">1Corinthians 9:1-18</a>, in the discussion on the question of eating things sacrificed to idols, had dwelt with a pardonable fulness on his own conduct in this matter, as an example of foregoing an abstract right for the sake of a greater good. His enemies were compelled to admit this as far as his life at Corinth was concerned; but they had detected what they looked on as a grave inconsistency. He had accepted help from the churches of Macedonia (<a href="/2_corinthians/11-9.htm" title="And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brothers which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so will I keep myself.">2Corinthians 11:9</a>), and in this they found ground for a two-fold charge: "He wasn't above taking money from other churches--he was only too proud to take it from that of Corinth;" and this was made matter of personal offence. To take money at all was mean; not to take it from them was contemptuous.He does not deny the facts. He repeats the irritating epithet, "abasing myself"; he adds the familiar antithesis (<a href="/matthew/23-12.htm" title="And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.">Matthew 23:12</a>; <a href="/luke/1-52.htm" title="He has put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.">Luke 1:52</a>; <a href="/luke/14-11.htm" title="For whoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.">Luke 14:11</a>; <a href="/luke/18-11.htm" title="The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.">Luke 18:11</a>), "Yes, but I did it that you might be exalted," perhaps with reference to elevation in spiritual knowledge, perhaps, because the fact that he laboured for them without payment was the greatest proof of disinterested love for them which could be given. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_corinthians/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - Have I? literally, or have I? An ironical exception to his manifestation of knowledge; "unless you think that I committed a sin in refusing to accept maintenance at your hands." It is clear that even this noble generosity had been made the ground for a charge against the apostle. "If he had not been conscious," they said, "that he has no real claims, he would not have preached for nothing, when he had a perfect right to be supported by his converts" (<a href="/1_corinthians/9-1.htm">1 Corinthians 9:1-15</a>). Abasing myself. The trade of tentmaker was despised, tedious, and mechanical, and it did not suffice to provide even for Paul's small needs (<a href="/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3</a>; <a href="/acts/20-34.htm">Acts 20:34</a>). That ye might be exalted; namely, by spiritual gifts (<a href="/ephesians/2-4.htm">Ephesians 2:4-6</a>). The gospel... freely. Some of them would feel the vast contrast between the words. The gospel was the most precious gift of God, and they had got it for nothing. Compare the fine lines of Lowell - "For a cap and bells our lives we pay, Bubbles we earn with our whole soul's tasking; Tis only God who is given away, Tis only heaven may be had for the asking." To be a free and unpaid missionary was St. Paul's pride (<a href="/2_corinthians/12-14.htm">2 Corinthians 12:14</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:9</a>; <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-8.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:8, 9</a>; <a href="/acts/20-33.htm">Acts 20:33</a>). <a href="/commentaries/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[Was it] Ἢ (Ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. a sin ἁμαρτίαν (hamartian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. [for me] ἐποίησα (epoiēsa) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. to humble ταπεινῶν (tapeinōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5013.htm">Strong's 5013: </a> To make or bring low, humble, humiliate; pass: To be humbled. From tapeinos; to depress; figuratively, to humiliate. myself ἐμαυτὸν (emauton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1683.htm">Strong's 1683: </a> Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'. in order to ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. exalt you, ὑψωθῆτε (hypsōthēte) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5312.htm">Strong's 5312: </a> (a) I raise on high, lift up, (b) I exalt, set on high. From hupsos; to elevate. because ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. I preached εὐηγγελισάμην (euēngelisamēn) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2097.htm">Strong's 2097: </a> From eu and aggelos; to announce good news especially the gospel. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. gospel εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2098.htm">Strong's 2098: </a> From the same as euaggelizo; a good message, i.e. The gospel. of God Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. to you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. free of charge? δωρεὰν (dōrean) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_1432.htm">Strong's 1432: </a> As a free gift, without payment, freely. Accusative case of dorea as adverb; gratuitously. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 11:7 Or did I commit a sin (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Corinthians 11:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Corinthians 11:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Corinthians 11:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Corinthians 11:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>