For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
Read Chapter 12
Ambrosiaster
AD 400
Paul is telling the Corinthians that they were better off than other churches. Corinth was the only place where he preached the gospel without being paid for it. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches? I.e, other churches founded by me and other Apostles. I was no burden to you, but worked day and night to support myself. Then he ironically adds: "Forgive me this wrong." For this notable and generous act of beneficence, the Apostle should have been more highly esteemed and loved, not reckoned as one that had inflicted an injury.
Paul says that the Corinthians insult the apostles by regarding him as inferior to these false teachers. His irony merely makes his rebuke more severe.
'You were partakers,' he says, 'of no less grace than the others.' But perhaps some one will say, 'What can be the reason that he turns the discourse upon the Apostles, abandoning the contest against the false Apostles?' Because he is desirous to erect their spirits yet further, and to show that he is not only superior to them, but not even inferior to the great Apostles. Therefore, surely, when he is speaking of those he says, I am more; but when he compares himself with the Apostles, he considers it a great thing not to be behind, although he labored more than they. And thence he shows that they insult the Apostles, in holding him who is their equal second to these men.
Except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? Again he has pronounced their rebuke with great severity. And what follows is of yet more odious import.
Forgive me this wrong. Still, nevertheless, this severity contains both words of love and a commendation of themselves; if, that is, they consider it a wron...
