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 I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? 8I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. 10As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 11Why? Because I don’t love you? 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 6:4In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.
• 2 Corinthians 9:12So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
• Philippians 2:25Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need.
• Philippians 4:11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
• Hebrews 11:37Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated.
• 2 Corinthians 12:13The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
• Nehemiah 5:15The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.
• Acts 18:3Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.
• Acts 20:33“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.
• 2 Corinthians 8:1Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia.
• Philippians 4:10How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me.
• 2 Corinthians 11:8I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost.
• 2 Corinthians 12:14Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:6As for human praise, we have never sought it from you 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