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

7When I told you God's good news, I never asked you to pay me anything. I made myself less important so that you could be more important. I do not think that I was wrong to do that. 8Believers in other churches gave money to me so that I could serve you. It is like I was robbing them so that I could help you. When I was there with you, I never made you help me. Even when I needed something, I did not cause trouble to anyone. Instead, the believers who came from Macedonia gave me everything that I needed. I was very careful never to cause you to have trouble. And I will continue to be careful like that. 10The message that I speak about Christ is true. So I will continue to be proud of how I lived among you. Nobody in the whole region of Achaia can stop me doing that. 11You must not think that I say this because I do not love you. God himself knows that I love you.

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 6:4Instead, in everything that we do, we want to show that we are God's servants. When people want to hurt us, we are patient and brave. We have many troubles. We become sad and upset.
• 2 Corinthians 9:12This good work that you are doing is helping God's people. It is helping to supply what they need. And it is not only doing that. It is also causing many people to thank God very much.
• Philippians 2:25Whatever happens, I think I must send Epaphroditus to come back to you. He is our true Christian brother. He has worked with me to serve God together. We have worked hard, like soldiers. When I needed help, you sent him to me. He has helped me on your behalf.
• Philippians 4:11When I say that, it is not because I need anything. I have learned to be happy, whatever things may happen to me.
• Hebrews 11:37Some of them died when people killed them with stones. Some of them died when people cut them into two pieces. Some of them died when people killed them with swords. Some of these people wore the skins of sheep and goats while they travelled about. They were very poor and they had a lot of trouble. People did bad things to them.
• 2 Corinthians 12:13I worked among you in the same way as I did with the other churches. You were never less important to me than they are. The only difference is that I did not ask you to help me with money. So perhaps I should ask you to forgive me for that!
• Nehemiah 5:15The officers who ruled there before I came made much trouble for the people. They took food and wine from the people, as well as 40 silver coins every day. Their servants also gave the people much trouble. But I did not live like them, because I wanted to please God.
• Acts 18:3They knew how to make tents which they could sell to people. Paul also made tents, so he stayed with them and he worked with them.
• Acts 20:33When I stayed among you, I did not ask you to give me money or clothes.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9Our Christian friends, remember how we worked so hard to help you. We worked during the day and even during the night. We did not want to cause any problems for you. So we taught you God's good news and we did not ask you to give us anything in return.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8We always paid for the food that anyone gave to us. We worked hard all the time, during the day and at night. We did that so that we would not make trouble for any of you.
• 2 Corinthians 8:1My Christian friends, let me tell you about the believers in the churches in Macedonia. God has been very kind to them.
• Philippians 4:10I am very happy that you want to help me again. I praise the Lord for that. I know that you wanted to help me before. But you have not had a chance to do anything until now.
• 2 Corinthians 11:8Believers in other churches gave money to me so that I could serve you. It is like I was robbing them so that I could help you.
• 2 Corinthians 12:14Listen to me! This is the third time that I am ready to visit you. I will not ask you to give anything to me. I do not want any of your things. Instead, I want you yourselves. You are like my children. Children should not have to supply what their parents need. It is parents who should supply what their children need.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:6We did not want anyone to say that we are great people. We did not want you to do that, or anyone else.

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