2 Cor 12:13-18 / Gentile mission vs raising money
Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:01 am
Re: Gentile mission vs raising money (perhaps for "the poor" in Jerusalem)
This is what Paul said, according to 2 Cor 12:13-18
13In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery. 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?
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Interpretation
Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that what he really cared about was their souls--not about getting them to give away their possessions. Mirror reading suggests Paul is responding to accusations to the contrary.
In this context, Paul wrote: "I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery."
Was he accused of burdening them, and of being crafty and tricky? Seems so. But was he really crafty and tricky, in some sense? And was he admitting as much?
I'm wondering.
This is what Paul said, according to 2 Cor 12:13-18
13In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery. 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?
-------------
Interpretation
Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that what he really cared about was their souls--not about getting them to give away their possessions. Mirror reading suggests Paul is responding to accusations to the contrary.
In this context, Paul wrote: "I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery."
Was he accused of burdening them, and of being crafty and tricky? Seems so. But was he really crafty and tricky, in some sense? And was he admitting as much?
I'm wondering.