THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS - Chapter 11 - Verse 9

Verse 9. And when I was present with you. When I was labouring in order to build up the church in Corinth.

I was chargeable to no man. I was burdensome to no one; or more literally, "I did not lie as a dead weight upon you." The word here used, which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, (katenarkhsa,) means, literally, to become torpid against, i.e., to the detriment of any one; and hence to be burdensome. According to Jerome, its use here is a cilicism of Paul. The idea is, that he did not lead a torpid, inactive life at the expense of others. He did not expect a support from them when he was doing nothing; nor did he demand support which would in any sense be a burden to them. By his own hands, (Ac 18:3,) and by the aid which he received from abroad, he was supported without deriving aid from the people of Corinth.

And in all things, etc. In all respects I have carefully kept myself from being a burden on the church. Paul had no idea of living at other men's expense when he was doing nothing.' He did not, as a general thing, mean to receive anything for which he had not rendered a fair equivalent—a just principle for ministers and for all other men. See 2 Co 12:13.

{a} "was chargeable" Ac 18:3; 1 Th 2:9 {*} "lacking" "wanting" {b} "brethren" Php 4:10,15