King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 11:8 Mean?

2 Corinthians 11:8 in the King James Version says “I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

2 Corinthians 11:8 · KJV

Context

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.

10

As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. no man: Gr. this boasting shall not be stopped in me

Read 2 Corinthians 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. Paul's hyperbolic metaphor esylēsa (ἐσύλησα, 'I robbed/plundered') describes accepting support from Macedonian churches (Phil 4:15-16; Acts 20:34) while serving in Corinth. Military language depicts him as a soldier plundering one city to defend another. Opsōnion (ὀψώνιον, 'wages/pay') was technical military terminology for soldiers' rations.

The irony is sharp: Paul 'robbed' poor Macedonian churches to serve wealthy Corinthian believers without charge. The Philippians, in deep poverty (8:2), gave sacrificially; the Corinthians, relatively prosperous, were served freely. This exposes the Corinthians' ingratitude and self-centeredness—they benefited from others' generosity yet questioned Paul's apostleship because he wouldn't take their money.

Paul's strategy of accepting support from some churches while refusing it from others was intentional and flexible. In Corinth, he refused support to remove grounds for accusation and contrast himself with greedy false teachers. His financial independence proved the purity of his motives and prevented the gospel from being discredited.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Macedonian churches (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea) were characterized by extreme poverty yet extraordinary generosity (2 Cor 8:1-5). The Corinthian church was relatively prosperous, located in a wealthy commercial center. Yet the poor gave while the rich were served freely—an inversion of worldly expectations that Paul deliberately maintained.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the economic inversion in Paul's support model challenge our assumptions about who should support whom in Christian ministry?
  2. What motivates your giving to Christian ministry—desire to support gospel work or expectation of receiving proportional spiritual benefits?
  3. In what ways do financial arrangements in ministry reveal or conceal the purity (or impurity) of ministers' motives?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 9 words
ἄλλας1 of 9

“other”

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

ἐκκλησίας2 of 9

“churches”

G1577

a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth

ἐσύλησα3 of 9

“I robbed”

G4813

to despoil

λαβὼν4 of 9

“taking”

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

ὀψώνιον5 of 9

“wages”

G3800

rations for a soldier, i.e., (by extension) his stipend or pay

πρὸς6 of 9

“of them to”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὴν7 of 9
G3588

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

ὑμῶν8 of 9

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

διακονίαν9 of 9

“do”

G1248

attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the christian teacher, or technically of the diaco

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 11:8 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 11:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Philippians 4:18Philippians 4:14-162 Corinthians 11:9

Test Your Knowledge

2 Corinthians 11 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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