2 Corinthians 12:17
2 Corinthians 12:17 in Multiple Translations
Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you?
Did I make a profit out of you by any of those whom I sent to you?
But did I take advantage of you by anyone I've sent to you?
Did I pill you by any of them whom I sent vnto you?
any one of those whom I have sent unto you — by him did I take advantage of you?
Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you?
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent to you?
Did I overreach you by any of them whom I sent to you?
But did I ever do that? No! I never [RHQ] asked any of the men whom I sent to you to get money from you and bring it to me
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Corinthians 12:17
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2 Corinthians 12:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — 2 Corinthians 12:17
Study Notes — 2 Corinthians 12:17
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Corinthians 12:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 12:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 12:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:17
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:17
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 12:17
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 12:17
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:17
- Sermons on 2 Corinthians 12:17
Context — Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
17Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?
18I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps? 19Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Corinthians 9:5 | So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly. |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 4:17 | That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church. |
| 3 | 2 Kings 5:20–27 | Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?” “Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘I have just now discovered that two young men from the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’” But Naaman insisted, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged Gehazi to accept them. Then he tied up two talents of silver in two bags along with two sets of clothing and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Gehazi. When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the gifts from the servants and stored them in the house. Then he dismissed the men, and they departed. When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?” “Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied. But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 5:16 | But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused. |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians 12:18 | I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps? |
| 6 | 1 Corinthians 16:10 | If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am. |
2 Corinthians 12:17 Summary
[In 2 Corinthians 12:17, the Apostle Paul is asking the church if he or anyone he sent to them took advantage of them in any way. He wants to make sure that they know he and his team are trustworthy and genuinely care about them, as he says in 2 Corinthians 12:15 that he is willing to spend himself for their sake. This is an important question because it gets at the heart of what it means to serve others with integrity and love, as Jesus teaches us to do in Matthew 20:26-28. By asking this question, Paul is showing us the importance of being honest and transparent in our relationships, especially in ministry contexts.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Apostle Paul asking in 2 Corinthians 12:17?
The Apostle Paul is asking the Corinthian church if he exploited them through any of the individuals he sent to them, which is a concern he addresses to clear his name and the names of those who worked with him, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:18 where he mentions Titus and their brother.
Why is Paul so concerned about being seen as exploiting the Corinthian church?
Paul is concerned because he wants the church to know that his love and service to them are genuine, and he does not want his ministry to be discredited by false accusations, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:15 where he expresses his willingness to spend himself for their sake.
How does Paul's question in 2 Corinthians 12:17 relate to his overall defense in this part of the letter?
Paul's question is part of his broader defense against accusations that he and his companions are not genuine in their ministry, and he is seeking to reassure the Corinthian church of their integrity, as he states in 2 Corinthians 12:19 that his goal is to build them up.
What can we learn from Paul's example in 2 Corinthians 12:17 about our own relationships and ministry?
We can learn the importance of being above reproach in our interactions with others, especially in ministry contexts, and of being willing to ask tough questions and face accusations head-on, as Paul does here and in other parts of the letter, such as 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 where he talks about his integrity and simplicity.
Reflection Questions
- How do I ensure that my actions and motivations in serving others are pure and not exploitative, as Paul is concerned about in 2 Corinthians 12:17?
- What are some ways that I can follow Paul's example of being willing to spend myself for the sake of others, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:15?
- In what ways can I be more transparent and accountable in my relationships and ministry, as Paul is being in this part of the letter?
- How can I apply the principle of not being a burden to others, as Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 12:16, to my own life and ministry?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 12:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 12:17
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:17
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:17
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:17
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:17
Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 12:17
Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 12:17
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:17
Sermons on 2 Corinthians 12:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Epistle 347 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the unity and obedience among the early apostles and disciples, emphasizing their willingness to be sent and their submission to the guidance of the Holy |
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(1 Corinthians) Overview to Chapter 16 by Brian Brodersen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being alert and watchful as Christians. He highlights how Christians often fail to pay attention to false teachings and are |
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Blessing of Giving by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the principle of giving and the importance of not being greedy. The speaker emphasizes that while it is good to be diligent and gather more, i |
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Church Live Re-Visited: Session Three - Part 1 by Ron Bailey | This sermon delves into three main sections: reference points, judgment, and labor with rewards, focusing on 1 Corinthians chapters 3 and 4. It explores the different ways people l |
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The Churches Founded by the Apostles by Watchman Nee | Watchman Nee emphasizes the distinction between the universal Church and local churches, explaining that while the Church is one body, the apostles established separate churches ba |
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Faithfulness by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the critical importance of faithfulness in ministry, asserting that it is a non-negotiable requirement for those appointed as stewards of God's Word. He highli |
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Fellowship With God by G. Campbell Morgan | John MacArthur emphasizes the importance of anamimnesko, urging believers to carefully think back and reconstruct in their minds the truths and experiences they have encountered th |







