2 Corinthians 12:11–16

Verse 11–13. Although I am nothing. These words are a demonstration of the humility of Saint Paul, when forced to speak his own praises.—The signs and marks of my apostleship … on you, by your conversion, especially being accompanied by wonders and miracles.—Pardon me this injury. A reproach by irony, against such as seemed to value him less, because he lived in poverty, and took nothing of them. Witham.

Verse 11–13. Although I am nothing. These words are a demonstration of the humility of Saint Paul, when forced to speak his own praises.—The signs and marks of my apostleship … on you, by your conversion, especially being accompanied by wonders and miracles.—Pardon me this injury. A reproach by irony, against such as seemed to value him less, because he lived in poverty, and took nothing of them. Witham.

Verse 11–13. Although I am nothing. These words are a demonstration of the humility of Saint Paul, when forced to speak his own praises.—The signs and marks of my apostleship … on you, by your conversion, especially being accompanied by wonders and miracles.—Pardon me this injury. A reproach by irony, against such as seemed to value him less, because he lived in poverty, and took nothing of them. Witham.

Verse 14. Now the third time I am ready to come. So he says again in the next chap. That is, he was once with them, he had purposed to come a second time, and now a third time.—I seek not the things that are yours, but you. That is, says Saint John Chrysostom your souls, not your goods; your salvation, not your gold.—For the children. A modest pretty turn in their favour, by saying that fathers and parents are commonly supposed to leave their goods and riches to their children, not children for their parents. Witham.—Saint Paul came to Corinth for the first time in the year 52, remaining with them 18 months. Acts chapter 18. He came the second time in 55, but did not remain long with them; on which account it is omitted by Saint Luke in the Acts. The date of this letter is in 57, when Saint Paul again came to them towards the end of the year. Calmet.—Other interpreters, with no less authority question this sentiment, see verse 1 of the following chapter, and say he only went twice; the first time as mentioned in Acts 18:1.; the second time, as we may draw from Acts 20:2. 3 after this epistle, as it is evident from comparing 2 Corinthians 1:15.

Verse 15. I most gladly will spend [2] all, and even my life, for your sake, and so as to be spent, and even sacrificed, for your souls; though the more I love you, the less you or some of you love me, a kind and modest reproach. Witham.

Verse 16–18. I caught you by guile. He answers an objection or suspicion of his adversaries, as if he took no presents himself, but employed others to do it for him: he appeals to them, if Titus did not serve them in all things as he had done, in the same spirit, treading the same steps. Think you, as some pretended of old, formerly, or of a long time, that we make vain and false excuses to you, and at the bottom aim to be gainers by you? He appeals with an oath to God, that he does all things for their good, for their advantage, and edification. Witham.