Bible Strands
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?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church while defending his apostolic ministry and justifying his refusal to accept financial support from them. He speaks at a moment where he must explain why he preached without charging a fee.
The words — The Greek ἁμαρτίαν (hamartian) means "a sin," and ταπεινῶν (tapeinōn) translates to "humbling." The text states that Paul deliberately lowered his status so the Corinthians might be exalted through his free preaching.
The thread — This pattern of unpaid service and voluntary humility appears in 2 Corinthians 12:13, 1 Corinthians 9:6, and 1 Corinthians 4:10. These passages record Paul's consistent refusal to claim financial rights while affirming his superior spiritual standing.
Why it lands — The text asks readers to measure spiritual value against financial exchange. It requires the reader to accept that gospel authority does not depend on monetary compensation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 12:13 In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
- 1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
- 1 Corinthians 9:6 Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
- 2 Corinthians 10:1 Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 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.
- Acts 18:1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
- Acts 20:34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.
- 1 Corinthians 9:14 In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8 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.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12 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.