2Cor 11:7-9 | TNotes | STEP | 11:7 Paul was preaching God’s Good News ... without expecting anything in return . Paul’s policy as a church planter (1 Cor 9:3-14 ) was to earn his living by his trade of tentmaking (Acts 18:3 ; 20:34 ) rather than being supported by the new churches (1 Thes 2:9 ; 2 Thes 3:8-9 ). His enemies in Corinth criticized him for this. In Greek thought, religious teachers could rightfully claim financial support; Paul’s refusal provided his enemies with an argument that his apostleship was counterfeit.

a11:7►

b1 Cor 9:3-14►

cActs 18:3►

d20:34►

e1 Thes 2:9►

f2 Thes 3:8-9►

g11:8-9►

hPhil 4:15-19►

i2 Cor 11:11►

‏ 2 Corinthians 11:7-9

11:7 ^a Paul was preaching God’s Good News ... without expecting anything in return. Paul’s policy as a church planter (1 Cor 9:3-14 ^b) was to earn his living by his trade of tentmaking (Acts 18:3 ^c; 20:34 ^d) rather than being supported by the new churches (1 Thes 2:9 ^e; 2 Thes 3:8-9 ^f). His enemies in Corinth criticized him for this. In Greek thought, religious teachers could rightfully claim financial support; Paul’s refusal provided his enemies with an argument that his apostleship was counterfeit.
Summary for 2Cor 11:8-9: 11:8-9 ^g Paul had been accepting . . . contributions ... from Macedonia—i.e., Philippi (Phil 4:15-19 ^h). Paul’s apparent inconsistency made the Corinthians suspicious of his motives or doubtful of his love toward them (2 Cor 11:11 ⁱ).