2 Corinthians 11:8

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

2 Corinthians 11:8, King James Version

2 Corinthians 11:8 in other translations

BSB	I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you.
WEB	I robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them that I might serve you.
ASV	I robbed other churches, taking wages of them that I might minister unto you;
YLT	other assemblies I did rob, having taken wages, for your ministration;
DARBY	I spoiled other assemblies, receiving hire for ministry towards you.
BBE	I took money from other churches as payment for my work, so that I might be your servant;
Webster	I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

What does 2 Corinthians 11:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

8. I robbed--that is, took from them in order to spare you more than what was their fair share of contribution to my maintenance, for example, the Philippian Church (Php 4:15, 16). wages--"subsidy." to do you service--Greek, "with a view to ministration to you"; compare "supplied" (Greek, "in addition"), 2Co 11:9, implying, he brought with him from the Macedonians, supplies towards his maintenance at Corinth; and (2Co 11:9) when those resources failed ("when I wanted") he received a new supply, while there, from the same source.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 8. I robbed other churches. The churches of Macedonia and elsewhere, which had ministered to his wants. Probably he refers especially to the church at Philippi, (see Php 4:15,16,) which seems to have done more than almost any other church for his support. By the use of the word "robbed" here, Paul does not mean that he had obtained anything from them in a violent or unlawful, manner, or anything which they did not give voluntarily. The word (εσυλησα) means, properly, "I spoiled, plundered, robbed;" but the idea of Paul here is, that he, as it were, robbed them, because he did not render an equivalent for what they gave him. They supported him when he was labouring for another people. A conqueror who plunders a country gives no equivalent for what he takes. In this sense only could Paul say that he had plundered the church at Philippi. His general principle was, that "the labourer was worthy of his hire," and that a man was to-receive his support from the people for whom he laboured, (1Cor 9:7-14;) but this rule he had not observed in this case.

Taking wages of them. Receiving a support from them. They bore my expenses.

To do you service. That I might labour among you without being supposed to be striving to obtain your property, and that I might not be compelled to labour with my own hands, and thus to prevent my preaching the gospel as I could otherwise do. The supply from other churches rendered it unnecessary, in a great measure, that his time should be taken off from the ministry in order to obtain a support.

(+) "robbed" "spoiled"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 8 I robbed other Churches - This part of the sentence is explained by the latter, taking wages to do you service. The word οψωνιον signifies the pay of money and provisions given daily to a Roman soldier. As if he had said: I received food and raiment, the bare necessaries of life, from other Churches while labouring for your salvation. Will you esteem this a crime?

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:5-15

It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 11:5-15 →

2 Corinthians 11:8 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἄλλαςallasOtherG243

ἐκκλησίαςekklēsiaschurchesG1577

ἐσύλησαesulēsaI robbedG4813

λαβὼνlabōnhaving receivedG2983

ὀψώνιονopsōnionsupportG3800

πρὸςprosforG4314

τὴνtēntheG3588

ὑμῶνhumōntoward youG4771

διακονίαν,diakonianservice,G1248

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 11:8

2 Corinthians 11:9
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.
Philippians 4:14-16
Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Philippians 4:18
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

9; Php 4:14-16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Corinthians 11:7
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
2 Corinthians 11:8
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
2 Corinthians 11:9
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 all of 2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:8 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	He despojado las otras iglesias, recibiendo salario para ministraros á vosotros.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	J’ai dépouillé d’autres assemblées en recevant un salaire pour vous servir.
German Elberfelder 1871	Andere Versammlungen habe ich beraubt, indem ich Lohn empfing zu eurer Bedienung.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Alias ecclesias expoliavi, accipiens stipendium ad ministerium vestrum.