2 Corinthians 12:11 - Meaning and Application

In these verses, the apostle speaks to the Corinthians in two ways.

First, he rebukes them for what was wrong among them. They had not stood up for him as they should have, and that made it necessary for him to defend himself so much. In a way, they forced him to commend himself, when they ought to have been the ones defending him (2 Corinthians 12:11). If they, or some among them, had done their part, he would not have needed to speak so much in his own defense. He also tells them they had every reason to speak well of him, since he was in nothing less than the very chief apostles, and he had given them clear proof of his apostleship. The signs of an apostle were done among them with great patience, and with signs, wonders, and mighty works.

We learn here that it is our duty to stand up for good people when their name is attacked. We have a special duty to those from whom we have received help, especially spiritual help, to acknowledge them as tools in God’s hand for our good and to defend them when others speak wrongly about them. We also learn that no matter how much others honor us, or how much we ought to be honored, we should stay humble ourselves. The apostle is a clear example of this. Though he truly was not behind the greatest apostles, he thought of himself as nothing. He did not seek praise from people, even while telling the Corinthians it was their duty to defend his name. And even when he had to speak for his own defense, he did not turn it into self-praise.

Second, he gives a full account of his conduct and his good intentions toward them. From this we can see the marks of a faithful minister of the gospel.

He was not willing to be a burden to them, and he did not seek their possessions, but them. He says that in the past he had not been burdensome to them, and he also tells them that he would not be burdensome when he came again (2 Corinthians 12:13-14). He spared their money and did not covet it. “I seek not yours but you.” He did not want to enrich himself. He wanted to save their souls. He did not want to use them for his own gain, but to bring them to Christ, whose servant he was. Those who try to fleece the flock and do not care for the sheep are hirelings, not true shepherds.

He was also glad to spend and be spent for them (2 Corinthians 12:15). That means he was willing to work hard and even suffer loss for their good. He was ready to spend his time, gifts, strength, influence, and everything else in their service. More than that, he was willing to be spent, like a candle that burns itself out to give light to others.

He did not lessen his love for them, even when they were unkind and ungrateful. For that reason, he was content, even glad, to take pains with them, though the more he loved them, the less he was loved in return (2 Corinthians 12:15). This applies in other relationships too. If others fail in their duty toward us, that does not mean we may fail in our duty toward them.

He was careful not only to avoid burdening them himself, but also to make sure that none of the people he sent did so either. That is the point of what he says in 2 Corinthians 12:16-18. If someone said that, though he did not burden them himself, he was still crafty and caught them by deceit, sending others to take advantage of them and then sharing in the profit, he denies it completely. He did not make a gain of them himself, and neither did Titus, nor any others. They all walked by the same Spirit and in the same steps. They were united in this, to do them all the good they could without being a burden, to help the gospel among them, and to make it as easy for them as possible. This may also be read as a direct denial of any deceit at all in himself or in those who served with him.

He was a man who did everything for building them up (2 Corinthians 12:19). That was his great aim and purpose, to do good, to lay a good foundation, and then to build carefully and faithfully on it. He did not make his own comfort or advantage his main goal. He sought their spiritual growth.

He would not shrink from his duty because he feared displeasing them, even though he was careful to make himself easy to them. So he was determined to be faithful in rebuking sin, even if that made him seem harsh to them (2 Corinthians 12:20). He names several sins that are too often found among people who profess religion, and all of them deserve strong correction: quarrels, jealousy, anger, strife, slander, secret gossip, pride, and disorder. People guilty of these sins usually do not like to be rebuked, but faithful ministers must not fear offending the guilty when sharp reproof is needed, both in public and in private.

He was also troubled by the thought that he might find among them serious sins that had not been truly repented of. He says this would bring him deep sorrow and humiliation. The falls and failures of professing believers are always a humbling thing for a good minister, and God sometimes uses that very thing to humble those who might otherwise grow proud: “I fear that my God may humble me among you.” We have reason to grieve over those who sin and do not repent, and over many who have sinned and still have not turned back (2 Corinthians 12:21). If they do not yet have grace to mourn over their own condition, then their condition is all the more sad. Those who love God, and love them, should mourn for them too.