I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
Read Chapter 11
Ambrosiaster
AD 400
Paul makes it clear that not only did other churches encourage him in his ministry to the Corinthians but also that they gave him significant financial support. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
I robbed other churches. He uses a strong expression, in order to make a strong impression on them. You see my continence and charity. I have, as it were, despoiled other churches that were poor, in order to spare you and to enrich you, that you might not think, as rich merchants like you Corinthians are apt to think, that I was seeking yours instead of you, and also that I might shut the mouths of the false apostles. Acknowledge me, then, as your true and genuine Apostle.
What he says is this; 'I lived in straitness;' for this is the force of abasing myself. 'Can you then lay this to my charge? And do ye therefore lift up yourselves against me, because I abased myself by begging, by enduring straits, by suffering, by hungering, that you might be exalted?' And how were they exalted by his being in straits? They were more edified and were not offended; which also might [well] be a very great accusation of them and a reproach of their weakness; that it was not possible in any other way to lead them on than by first abasing himself. 'Do ye then lay it to my charge that I abased myself? But thereby you were exalted.' For since he said even above that they accused him, for that when present he was lowly, and when absent bold, in defending himself he here strikes them again, saying, 'this too was for your sakes.'
I robbed other churches. Here finally he speaks reproachfully, but his former words prevent these from seeming offensive; for he said, Bear with m...
Paul is clearly exaggerating for effect, but we must remember that he warned the Corinthians at the beginning of the chapter to bear with a little foolishness as he made his point.
