2 Corinthians 11:8 Meaning and Explanation
“I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →With deliberate exaggeration Paul says he took support from other churches so he could serve the Corinthians without burdening them.
What Does 2 Corinthians 11:8 Mean?
Paul uses a vivid, almost shocking word, saying he robbed other churches. He means that he accepted gifts from believers elsewhere to fund his work in Corinth, so that the Corinthians themselves would bear no expense for his ministry among them.
The overstatement underscores his sacrificial care. Far from exploiting them, he arranged matters so that others helped carry the cost of their gospel. This is service rendered at a loss to himself, support drawn from afar so that the ones he loved most would feel no weight. Paul's accounting of his ministry is measured not in what he gained but in what he gladly gave up for their sake.
2 Corinthians 11:8 in the Original Language
sulao (συλάω), 'to rob' -- to plunder or strip, a strong word Paul uses with rhetorical exaggeration to highlight the cost of serving Corinth freely.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 11:8
What does 2 Corinthians 11:8 mean?
With deliberate exaggeration Paul says he took support from other churches so he could serve the Corinthians without burdening them.