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 commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? 8I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so. 10As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped 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

• with you and was in needὑστερέωhustereō · to lackG5302
• not a burdenκαταναρκάομαιkatanarkaō · to burdenG2655
• to anyoneοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
• the brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• cameἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• MacedoniaΜακεδονίαMakedonia · MacedoniaG3109
• they fullyπροσαναπληρόωprosanaplēroō · to supplyG4322
• my needὑστέρημαhusterēma · deficiencyG5303
• and in everythingπᾶςpas · allG3956
• I keptτηρέωtēreō · to keep: protectG5083
• myselfἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683
• beingἀβαρήςabarēs · not burdensomeG4

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 11:9

• 2 Corinthians 6:4but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
• 2 Corinthians 9:12For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
• Philippians 2:25But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
• Philippians 4:11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
• Hebrews 11:37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
• 2 Corinthians 12:13For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
• Nehemiah 5:15But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God.
• Acts 18:3and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers.
• Acts 20:33I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;
• 2 Corinthians 8:1Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
• Philippians 4:10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
• 2 Corinthians 11:8I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you;
• 2 Corinthians 12:14Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, 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 from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted 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