2 Corinthians 11:7-11: a reflection

7Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge? 8I robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them that I might serve you. 9When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so. 10As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows.

Paul defends the way he served the Corinthians, and it turns out his critics have twisted his generosity against him. He had preached the gospel to them free of charge, refusing to be a financial burden, even accepting support from other churches so that he could serve the Corinthians without asking anything of them. Rather than take what he had every right to receive, he lowered himself, working and going without, so that they might be lifted up by the gospel he brought them at no cost.

And when it is suggested that his refusal to take support means he does not care about them, Paul answers with feeling: why would I do this? Because I do not love you? God knows I do. His self-supporting service was not distance but love, a costly love that gave without asking anything in return. He would rather bear his own needs than lay a burden on the people he was serving. His love expressed itself in what he was willing to forgo for their sake.

Paul's example holds up a picture of selfless service, love that gives without expecting a return, that would rather bear its own cost than burden the one it serves. In a world where so much is transactional, this kind of open-handed love stands out. Ask whether your service to others is quietly transactional, always expecting something back, or whether you can love and give freely, as Paul did, for the good of others. And take comfort that God knows the love in your heart even when others misread it, as they misread Paul's.

Lord, Paul served the Corinthians free of charge, bearing his own needs rather than burdening them, and when his love was doubted, he said simply, God knows. Free me from a transactional love that always expects something back. Teach me to give and serve freely, for the good of others, willing to bear the cost myself. And when my love is misread, comfort me that you know my heart, as you knew Paul's. Amen.