Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 12:17
Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church while defending his apostolic integrity against accusations that he financially exploited them. He poses this rhetorical question immediately after acknowledging his opponents’ claim that he used craftiness to secure their support.
The words — τινα (tina) = any; δι’ (di’) = through. The syntax places the preposition after the object ὑμᾶς (humas) = you, forming the literal phrase "through any whom I have sent to you."
The thread — The identical rhetorical structure reappears in 2 Corinthians 12:18, where Paul explicitly applies the question to Titus and his accompanying brother. Paul’s established pattern of dispatching trusted representatives to clarify his conduct is also documented in 1 Corinthians 4:17.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers examine whether a leader’s methods extract value from others or operate in alignment with shared spiritual principles. It requires rejecting the assumption that ministry legitimacy is measured by financial gain.
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
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 5:16 But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.
- 2 Kings 5:20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:17 That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
- 1 Corinthians 16:10 If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
- 2 Corinthians 9:5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
- 2 Corinthians 12:18 I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?