King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 11:7 Mean?

2 Corinthians 11:7 in the King James Version says “Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God...” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?”

2 Corinthians 11:7 · KJV

Context

5

For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

6

But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

7

Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

8

I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

9

And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

Read 2 Corinthians 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? Paul's rhetorical question highlights the absurdity: he is criticized for working with his hands to support himself rather than accepting payment from the Corinthians. His self-abasement (emauton tapeinōn, ἐμαυτὸν ταπεινῶν, 'humbling myself') through manual labor that ye might be exalted follows Christ's pattern (Phil 2:5-8; 2 Cor 8:9).

Freely (dōrean, δωρεάν, 'as a gift, without charge') echoes Jesus's command (Matt 10:8). Paul's tentmaking (Acts 18:3) removed any suspicion of mercenary motives—he sought their souls, not their money (12:14). The false apostles, conversely, demanded financial support as proof of their authority and exploited the Corinthians' resources (11:20).

The hamartian (ἁμαρτίαν, 'sin/offence') Paul ironically asks about is actually Christlike servant-leadership. The gospel proclaims that Christ became poor to make us rich (8:9); Paul enacted this by voluntarily lowering his status to elevate the Corinthians spiritually. His self-support modeled the gospel's grace and prevented accusations of greed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Greco-Roman culture, teachers and philosophers typically charged fees proportional to their claimed status. Free teaching was considered inferior. The 'super-apostles' demanded support as their due, while Paul's refusal was interpreted as evidence of inferior apostleship. Paul turns this upside down—true apostles serve, not exploit.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does our consumer culture's expectation that 'you get what you pay for' clash with the gospel's free grace and servant ministry?
  2. In what ways might Christian leaders' lifestyles and financial expectations contradict the gospel of Christ who became poor for us?
  3. When have you seen genuine servant-leadership criticized because it didn't fit cultural expectations of status and compensation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
Ἢ1 of 16
G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἁμαρτίαν2 of 16

“an offence”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

ἐποίησα3 of 16

“Have I committed”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ἐμαυτὸν4 of 16

“myself”

G1683

of myself so likewise the dative case ?????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-to'"/>, and accusative case ??????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-ton'"/>

ταπεινῶν5 of 16

“in abasing”

G5013

to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart)

ἵνα6 of 16

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ὑμεῖς7 of 16

“ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ὑψωθῆτε8 of 16

“might be exalted”

G5312

to elevate (literally or figuratively)

ὅτι9 of 16

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

δωρεὰν10 of 16

“freely”

G1432

gratuitously (literally or figuratively)

τὸ11 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοῦ12 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ13 of 16

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

εὐαγγέλιον14 of 16

“the gospel”

G2098

a good message, i.e., the gospel

εὐηγγελισάμην15 of 16

“I have preached”

G2097

to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel

ὑμῖν16 of 16

“to you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 11:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 11:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 12:131 Corinthians 9:62 Corinthians 10:11 Corinthians 4:10-121 Thessalonians 2:91 Corinthians 9:14-18

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