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

7Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you. And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so. 10As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11Why? Because I do not love you? God knows 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

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• when I wasπάρειμιpareimi · be presentG3918
• withπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• youσύsu · youG4771
• in needὑστερέωhustereō · to lackG5302
• I was not a burdenοὐou · noG3756
• I was not a burdenκαταναρκάομαιkatanarkaō · to burdenG2655
• ·οὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• brothersἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• who cameἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
• MacedoniaΜακεδονίαMakedonia · MacedoniaG3109
• suppliedπροσαναπληρόωprosanaplēroō · to supplyG4322
• myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• needsὑστέρημαhusterēma · deficiencyG5303
• I have refrainedτηρέωtēreō · to keep: protectG5083
• I have refrainedἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683
• from being a burdenἀβαρήςabarēs · not burdensomeG4
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• any wayπᾶςpas · allG3956

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 11:9

• 2 Corinthians 6:4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
• 2 Corinthians 9:12For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
• Philippians 2:25But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.
• Philippians 4:11I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
• Hebrews 11:37They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
• 2 Corinthians 12:13In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
• Nehemiah 5:15The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God.
• Acts 18:3and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
• Acts 20:33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
• 2 Corinthians 8:1Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.
• Philippians 4:10Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
• 2 Corinthians 11:8I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you.
• 2 Corinthians 12:14See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:6Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.

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