33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.(A) 34 You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me.(B) 35 In every way I’ve shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

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The Character of Paul’s Ministry

We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. But as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything:

by great endurance, by afflictions,
by hardship, by difficulties,
by beatings, by imprisonments,(A)
by riots, by labors,
by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
by purity,(B) by knowledge,(C)
by patience,(D) by kindness,(E)
by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,(F)
by the message of truth,(G)
by the power of God;(H)
through weapons of righteousness
on the right hand and the left,
through glory(I) and dishonor,
through slander and good report;
as deceivers yet true;
as unknown yet recognized;
as dying and look—we live;
as being disciplined yet not killed;
10 as grieving yet always rejoicing;(J)
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing yet possessing everything.

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Or did I commit a sin by humbling(A) myself so that you might be exalted,(B) because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?(C) I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you. When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia(D) supplied my needs.(E) I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped[a] in the regions of Achaia.(F) 11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do!

12 But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny[b] the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 11:10 Or silenced
  2. 2 Corinthians 11:12 Lit cut off

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