2 Corinthians 11:9

2 Corinthians 11:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
• New International Version (NIV)And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.

Context of 2 Corinthians 11:9

7Or did I [perhaps] sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted and honored, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? 8I robbed other churches by accepting [more than their share of] financial support for my ministry to you. And when I was with you and ran short [financially], I did not burden any of you; for what I needed was fully supplied by the brothers (Silas and Timothy) who came from Macedonia (the church at Philippi). So I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10As the truth of Christ is in me, my boast [of independence] will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia (southern Greece). 11Why? Because I do not love you [or wish you well, or have regard for your welfare]? God knows [that I do]!

2 Corinthians 11:9 word by word

καὶ παρὼν πρὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ ὑστερηθεὶς οὐ κατενάρκησα οὐθενός· τὸ γὰρ ὑστέρημά μου προσανεπλήρωσαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἐλθόντες ἀπὸ Μακεδονίας, καὶ ἐν παντὶ ἀβαρῆ ἐμαυτὸν ὑμῖν ἐτήρησα καὶ τηρήσω.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• when I was presentπάρειμιpareimi · be presentG3918
• withπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• youσύsu · youG4771
• wantedὑστερέωhustereō · to lackG5302
• I was chargeable toκαταναρκάομαιkatanarkaō · to burdenG2655
• noοὐou · noG3756
• manοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• that which was lackingὑστέρημαhusterēma · deficiencyG5303
• to meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• the brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• which cameἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
• MacedoniaΜακεδονίαMakedonia · MacedoniaG3109
• suppliedπροσαναπληρόωprosanaplēroō · to supplyG4322
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• I have keptτηρέωtēreō · to keep: protectG5083
• myselfἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683
• from being burdensomeἀβαρήςabarēs · not burdensomeG4

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 11:9

• 2 Corinthians 6:4but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses,
• 2 Corinthians 9:12For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God’s people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
• Philippians 2:25However, I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, [who has been] my brother and companion and fellow soldier, who was also sent as your messenger to take care of my needs.
• Philippians 4:11Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.
• Hebrews 11:37They were stoned [to death], they were sawn in two, they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith], they were put to death by the sword; they went about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated
• 2 Corinthians 12:13For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except [for the fact] that I did not burden you [with my financial support]? Forgive me [for doing you] this injustice!
• Nehemiah 5:15But the former governors who were [in office] before me put heavy burdens on the people and took food and wine from them in addition to forty shekels of silver [as an excessive monthly salary]; even their servants assumed authority over the people. But I did not do so because of the [reverent] fear of God.
• Acts 18:3and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them; and they worked together for they were tent-makers.
• Acts 20:33I had no desire for anyone’s silver or gold or [expensive] clothes.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9For you remember, believers, our labor and hardship. We worked night and day [practicing our trade] in order not to be a [financial] burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we worked night and day [to pay our own way] so that we would not be a financial burden on any of you [for our support];
• 2 Corinthians 8:1Now, brothers and sisters, we want to tell you about the grace of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia [awakening in them a longing to contribute];
• Philippians 4:10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last you have renewed your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned about me before, but you had no opportunity to show it.
• 2 Corinthians 11:8I robbed other churches by accepting [more than their share of] financial support for my ministry to you.
• 2 Corinthians 12:14Now for the third time I am ready to visit you. I will not burden you [financially], because I do not want what is yours [not your money or your possessions], but you. For children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:6nor did we seek glory and honor from people, neither from you nor from anyone else, though as apostles of Christ we had the power to assert our authority.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9And when I was present with you - The particle which we translate and, should be rendered for in this place: For when I was with you, and was in want, I was chargeable to no man. I preferred to be, for a time, even without the necessaries of life, rather than be a burden to you. To whom was this a reproach, to me or to you? The brethren which came from Macedonia - He probably refers to the supplies which he received from the Church at Philippi, which was…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9And when I was present with you - When I was laboring in order to build up the church in Corinth. I was chargeable to no man - I was burdensome to no one; or more liter ally,” I did not lie as a dead weight upon you.” The word used here, which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament ( ́ katenarkēsa), means, literally, to become torpid against, that is, to the detriment of anyone; and hence, to be burdensome. According to Jerome, its use here is a…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-15Verses 5-15 It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-9Paul had been accepting contributions from Macedonia, specifically Philippi (Philippians 4:15–19). This apparent inconsistency made the Corinthians suspicious of his motives or doubtful of his love for them (2 Corinthians 11:11).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. wanted--"was in want." chargeable--Greek, "burdensome," literally, "to torpify," and so to oppress. Jerome says it is a Cilician word (2Co 12:14, 16). the brethren which came--rather, as Greek, "the brethren when they came." Perhaps Timotheus and Silas (Ac 8:1, 5). Compare Php 4:15, 16, which refers to donations received from the Philippians (who were in Macedonia) at two distinct periods ("once and again"), one at Thessalonica, the other after his…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 11:9

• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Macedonia
• Abase
• Above
• Corrupt
• Fear
• Jealous
• Peril
• Philippians, Epistle to
• Receive
• Save

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings