II Corinthians 11:12 · Bible study
2 Corinthians 11:12 Commentary: Paul's Refusal and His Opponents' Boasting
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Paul explains why he refused Corinthian support: to cut off any opportunity for his opponents' accusations. Verse analysis with commentary and background.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul continues refusing support from Corinth to remove any occasion for his opponents' accusations or self‑boasting.
- Key words: ἐκκόψω ('cut off', aorist subjunctive of removal); ἀφορμήν ('opportunity', a base for attack); εὑρεθῶσιν ('may be found', passive subjunctive, exposing true state).
- Main debate: Does 'they may be found even as we' mean Paul wants them to match his self‑support (and thus be humbled) or to expose their hypocrisy (since they boasted while taking money)? Both readings have support.
- Theological theme: The integrity of gospel ministry. Paul's self‑denial protects the message from being linked to greed.
- Best use: A case study in strategic self‑denial for the sake of the gospel mission, and a warning about false teachers who use appearances to deceive.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.
WEB World English Bible 2000
But what I do, that I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity, that in which they boast, they may be recognized just like us.
KJV King James Version 1769
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and what I do, I also will do, that I may cut off the occasion of those wishing an occasion, that in that which they boast they may be found according as we also;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
But what I do, I will also do, that I may cut off the opportunity of those wishing [for] an opportunity, that wherein they boast they may be found even as we.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
But what I do, that I will do: that I may cut off the occasion from them that desire occasion: that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Mas lo que hago, haré aún, para cortar la ocasión de aquellos que la desean, á fin de que en aquello que se glorían, sean hallados semejantes á nosotros.
Mas o que eu faço, ainda o farei, para cortar a oportunidade daqueles que buscam oportunidade para serem considerados como nós naquilo em que se orgulham.
Mais j’ agis et j’ agirai de la sorte, pour ôter ce prétexte à ceux qui cherchent un prétexte, afin qu’ ils soient trouvés tels que nous dans les choses dont ils se glorifient.
Was ich aber tue und tun will, das tue ich darum, daß ich die Ursache abschneide denen, die Ursache suchen, daß sie rühmen möchten, sie seien wie wir.
Maar wat ik doe, dat zal ik nog doen, om de oorzaak af te snijden dengenen, die oorzaak hebben willen, opdat zij in hetgeen zij roemen, bevonden mochten worden gelijk als wij.
Ma quel che fo lo farò ancora per togliere ogni occasione a coloro che desiderano un’occasione; affinché in quello di cui si vantano siano trovati uguali a noi.
Ale co czynię, czynić jeszcze będę dlatego, abym odciął przyczynę tym, którzy przyczyny szukają, aby w tem, z czego się chlubią, byli znalezieni tacy, jako i my.
чтобы не дать повода ищущим повода, дабы они, чем хвалятся, в том оказались такими же, как и мы.
我現在所做 的，後來還要 做，為要 斷絕 那些尋 機會 人的機會，使 他們在 所誇的 事上 也不過與 我們 一樣。
But what I do, that I will go on doing, so that I may give no chance to those who are looking for one; so that, in the cause of their pride, they may be seen to be the same as we are.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · II Corinthians 11:12
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree on the surface: Paul is determined to maintain his policy of refusing financial support from the Corinthians (see 11:9). The verb ποιήσω (future active indicative, 'I will do') combined with the present ποιῶ ('I do') stresses his commitment to continue this course. The phrase 'cut off opportunity' uses ἐκκόψω (aorist subjunctive, 'I may cut off') and the noun ἀφορμήν with the article (τὴν ἀφορμήν), 'the opportunity,' a specific occasion for fault-finding.
As Barnes and Gill note, the false apostles desired an occasion, either to accuse Paul (Barnes) or to use his example to justify their own greed (Gill). Paul's refusal removes that weapon. The tricky clause comes last: 'that in which they boast, they may be found even as we.' Clarke interprets this as meaning the false apostles boasted of disinterestedness but were actually fleecing the church; Paul's course forces them either to match his practice or be exposed. Calvin reads it the opposite way: the false ones took nothing as a show, and Paul nullifies their advantage. Cambridge Bible suggests they boasted of disinterestedness while enriching themselves by other means. Vincent throws up his hands, calling it a 'hopeless muddle.' The common thread: Paul acts to remove any pretext for his opponents to elevate themselves over him, protecting the gospel from being misrepresented.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Exposure of hypocrisy view: Paul's opponents boasted of disinterestedness while actually exploiting the church (Clarke, Barnes, Gill). Paul's refusal forces them either to stop taking money or be shown as liars.
- Leveling the playing field view: The false teachers also refused pay (or claimed to) to win favor. Paul removes their point of superiority — they will be found 'even as we' (Calvin, Cambridge Bible).
What is clear: Paul is committed to a consistent policy of refusing support from the Corinthians, and he does so to prevent his opponents from using that issue to attack him or to elevate themselves.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for refusing payment | Paul did not accept financial support from the Corinthians to avoid giving his opponents any ground for accusation or comparison. | Some (Barnes, Gill) see the opponents wanting to accuse Paul of greed; others (Calvin) see them wanting to claim superiority by also refusing pay. The precise motivation of the false teachers is disputed. |
| Meaning of 'they may be found even as we' | The clause relates to the opponents' boasting and Paul's desire that they be shown in a true light relative to him. | One view: Paul aims to expose that they are not truly disinterested, they take money while boasting. Another: Paul aims to remove their advantage, they will be seen as just as disinterested as him. A third (Vincent) despairs of finding a single clear meaning. |
| Legitimacy of financial support for ministers | Paul defends the right of apostles to be supported (1 Cor 9:4-14) but chooses not to use it in Corinth for missional reasons. | No serious debate: Paul consistently distinguishes between right and exercise in different contexts. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul writes from Macedonia, likely Philippi, around AD 55-56. The Corinthian church was a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers, and Paul's relationship with them was strained after his first letter and a painful visit (2 Cor 2:1). False apostles, Jewish-Christian missionaries, had arrived, challenging Paul's authority and his gospel. They boasted of their credentials, eloquence, and possibly their refusal of payment (though they likely accepted it indirectly).
In Greco-Roman culture, patronage was central. Teachers and philosophers often charged fees or relied on wealthy sponsors. Paul's refusal to accept money from Corinth was radical. It meant he worked as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3), supported by gifts from other churches (11:8-9). To his opponents, this looked like weakness: if he were a true apostle, why would he not accept support? Some accused him of being insecure or dishonest (12:16-17).
Paul's response is strategic. He uses the verb ἐκκόπτω, which literally means 'to cut out', like cutting down a tree (cf. Luke 13:7). He wants to cut out this whole root of accusation. The word ἀφορμή originally meant a base of operations for a military attack; here it is the 'opportunity' or 'occasion' his enemies would use against him. By persisting in self-support, he removes their ammunition.
The clause 'that they may be found even as we' likely refers to the specific matter of boasting: his opponents boasted of being disinterested or superior, and Paul wants to level the ground. Either they will be shown to be like him (truly free of charge) or their hypocrisy will be exposed.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant manuscript variants for this verse. The text is stable across the Greek tradition. The only minor variation is the presence of καί ('also') before ποιήσω in some witnesses, which the majority reading includes and which is reflected in the WEB ('that I will continue to do').
Reception History
This verse has been cited throughout church history in discussions about ministerial support. The Reformers (Calvin, Luther) used it to argue that ministers may forgo rights for the sake of the gospel, but are not bound to do so. Catholic commentators (e.g., the Douay-Rheims tradition) saw Paul's practice as a counsel of perfection rather than a command. In Wesleyan tradition, the verse reinforced the ideal of a self‑supporting ministry, especially among circuit riders. More recently, cross‑cultural missionaries have drawn on Paul's model of tent‑making as a strategy for entering closed countries. The verse remains a touchstone for debates about clergy salaries and the perceived conflict between money and spiritual authority.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- Paul's resolve: 'What I do, that I will continue to do.' He is no vacillator. His policy is fixed, grounded in love for the church and commitment to the gospel.
- Paul's strategy: 'Cut off opportunity.' He anticipates his opponents' moves and removes their foothold. Spiritual wisdom includes knowing when to forgo a right for the sake of the mission.
- Paul's goal: 'That they may be found even as we.' Sometimes resisting false teachers means forcing them to show their true colors. Paul's consistency creates a contrast that reveals both genuine and false ministry.
Five-Point Outline
- Continuity: 'What I do, that I will continue to do.' Not a one-time decision but an ongoing choice.
- Motivation: To cut off occasion. Proactive, not merely reactive.
- Target: 'Those who desire an opportunity.' Paul knows his opponents are watching for a misstep.
- The issue at stake: 'Wherein they glory.' The false apostles boasted of something, likely disinterestedness, but Paul questions its reality.
- The intended outcome: 'They may be found even as we.' Either they will match Paul's genuine selflessness, or their façade will collapse.
Illustration Hooks
- An honest tradesperson who refuses to pad a bill. Others inflate prices and call it smart business. The honest person loses short-term income but gains long-term trust, and exposes the greed of competitors.
- A leader who declines a perk everyone else demands. A pastor refuses a salary increase that others insist on, to silence those who say he serves for money.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Is it wrong for a pastor or minister to receive a salary from the church? (Paul is not forbidding it, see 1 Cor 9, but he chose not to use his right.)
- How do I know if I'm serving for the right motives? Paul's willingness to sacrifice privilege is a test.
Leading a Discussion
In this verse, Paul explains why he keeps refusing payment from the Corinthians. He is not against ministers receiving support (1 Corinthians 9). But here, the presence of false teachers made it necessary. Paul removed any excuse for their accusations.
Discussion Questions
- What exactly is Paul doing, and why does he say he will continue?
- The word 'opportunity' (ἀφορμή) originally meant a military base. How does that image shape your understanding of Paul's conflict?
- Why might the false apostles have wanted Paul to accept money? What would that have allowed them to claim?
- Paul says they boast of something. What do you think they boasted about? (Look at the context: 11:18-20, 12:16-18)
- What does it mean for them to 'be found even as we'? Does Paul want them to imitate him or to be exposed as hypocrites? How might both readings be valid?
- When have you made a choice to give up a right for the sake of a greater good? How did that affect others around you?
- How can we discern between genuine servants of God and those who 'masquerade' (11:13-15)? What protections does Paul model here?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Job 23:13 | But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does. |
| I Corinthians 5:6 | Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump? |
| I Corinthians 9:12 | If others partake of this right over you, don’t we yet more? Nevertheless we didn’t use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ. |
| II Corinthians 1:17 | When I therefore planned this, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be the “Yes, yes” and the “No, no?” |
| II Corinthians 5:12 | For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance and not in heart. |
| II Corinthians 10:17 | But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” |
| II Corinthians 11:9 | When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so. |
| II Corinthians 11:18 | Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
11 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that Paul's refusal to accept payment from the Corinthians was a deliberate tactic to expose the false apostles. By taking nothing, Paul gave them no pretext to boast about their own supposed disinterestedness, since they were actually fleecing the people and could never match his selfless example.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes observes that Paul's refusal of financial support was a deliberate strategy, not just personal preference. By working with his hands and preaching without charge, Paul prevented his enemies from accusing him of greed and also kept false teachers from using his example as a cover for their own profitable schemes.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin argues that Paul refused payment not from humility but to outmaneuver the false apostles. They pretended to serve free of charge as a show of extraordinary zeal, using that as leverage to discredit Paul. Paul denied them that advantage by keeping them on equal footing, denying any pretext for their boasting.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator argues that the Corinthian false teachers boasted of not accepting payment, even though they actually enriched themselves at the church's expense. Paul refused to take any money so that his opponents could not honestly claim his disinterestedness was a mere pretense, as theirs was.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Paul deliberately continues his practice of refusing financial support so that false teachers have no excuse to claim equality with him. He will not give them the ground for boasting that they seek.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill argues the false apostles wanted Paul to accept wages because they themselves did, hoping to use his example to demand more money from the Corinthians. By taking nothing, Paul cuts off that excuse and shows that if the false apostles boast of equality, they should match his poverty.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB clarifies that Paul's refusal of financial help was meant to remove any excuse for his opponents to boast. The false teachers could not claim to be as unselfish as Paul, since he deliberately avoided giving them that occasion. This passage does not imply they actually ministered for free.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights that Paul
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry remarks that Paul, though modest about his rough speech, insisted he was not inferior to the chief apostles in office or knowledge. He distinguishes between apostolic authority, which is equal in all apostles, and personal gifts, where Paul humbly admits his lack. Henry also notes that false ministers mimic this by disguising themselves as servants of righteousness.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent emphasizes that Paul's refusal to accept payment from the Corinthians deliberately cut away one particular ground for complaint. He notes the Greek word for "cut out" and stresses the force of "the occasion" as the specific issue of money. The puzzling final clause, he admits, likely means this course will reveal both Paul and his accusers in their true character.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Who desire any occasion - To censure me. That wherein they boast, they may be found even as we - They boasted of being "burdensome to no man." But it was a vain boast in them, though not in the apostle.