2 Corinthians 11 · Verse 9

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.

2 Corinthians 11:9, King James Version

2 Corinthians 11:9 in other translations

BSB	And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.
WEB	When 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.
ASV	and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
YLT	and being present with you, and having been in want, I was chargeable to no one, for my lack did the brethren supply--having come from Macedonia--and in everything burdenless to you I did keep myself, and will keep.
DARBY	And being present with you and lacking, I did not lazily burden any one, (for the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied what I lacked,) and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will keep myself.
BBE	And when I was present with you, and was in need, I let no man be responsible for me; for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, gave me whatever was needed; and in everything I kept myself from being a trouble to you, and I will go on doing so.
Webster	And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so will I keep myself.

What does 2 Corinthians 11:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

9. wanted--"was in want." chargeable--Greek, "burdensome," literally, "to torpify," and so to oppress. Jerome says it is a Cilician word (2Co 12:14, 16). the brethren which came--rather, as Greek, "the brethren when they came." Perhaps Timotheus and Silas (Ac 8:1, 5). Compare Php 4:15, 16, which refers to donations received from the Philippians (who were in Macedonia) at two distinct periods ("once and again"), one at Thessalonica, the other after his departure from Macedonia, that is, when he came into Achaia to Corinth (from the church in which city he would receive no help); and this "in the beginning of the Gospel," that is, at its first preaching in these parts. Thus all three, the two Epistles and history, mutually, and no doubt undesignedly, coincide; a sure test of genuineness. supplied--Greek, "supplied in addition," namely, in addition to their former contributions; or as Bengel, in addition to the supply obtained by my own manual labor.

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 9. And when I was present with you. When I was labouring in order to build up the church in Corinth.

I was chargeable to no man. I was burdensome to no one; or more literally, "I did not lie as a dead weight upon you." The word here used, which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, (κατεναρκησα,) means, literally, to become torpid against, i.e., to the detriment of any one; and hence to be burdensome. According to Jerome, its use here is a cilicism of Paul. The idea is, that he did not lead a torpid, inactive life at the expense of others. He did not expect a support from them when he was doing nothing; nor did he demand support which would in any sense be a burden to them. By his own hands, (Acts 18:3,) and by the aid which he received from abroad, he was supported without deriving aid from the people of Corinth.

And in all things, etc. In all respects I have carefully kept myself from being a burden on the church. Paul had no idea of living at other men's expense when he was doing nothing.' He did not, as a general thing, mean to receive anything for which he had not rendered a fair equivalent--a just principle for ministers and for all other men. See 2Cor 12:13.

(a) "was chargeable" Acts 18:3, 1Thes 2:9 (*) "lacking" "wanting" (b) "brethren" Php 4:10,15

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 9 And when I was present with you - The particle και which we translate and, should be rendered for in this place: For when I was with you, and was in want, I was chargeable to no man. I preferred to be, for a time, even without the necessaries of life, rather than be a burden to you. To whom was this a reproach, to me or to you? The brethren which came from Macedonia - He probably refers to the supplies which he received from the Church at Philippi, which was in Macedonia; of which he says, that in the beginning of the Gospel no Church communicated with me, as concerning giving and receiving, but you only; for even at Thessalonica ye sent once and again to my necessity, Phi 4:15, Phi 4:16. See the Introduction, Section 6.

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 11:9 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.

καὶkaiAndG2532

παρὼνparōnbeing presentG3918

πρὸςproswithG4314

ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771

καὶkaiandG2532

ὑστερηθεὶςhusterētheishaving been in needG5302

οὐounotG3756

κατενάρκησαkatenarkēsaI did burdenG2655

οὐθενός·outhenosno [one];G3762

τὸto<the>G3588

γὰρgarforG1063

ὑστέρημάhusterēmathe needG5303

μουmouof mineG3165

προσανεπλήρωσανprosaneplērōsancompletely filled upG4322

οἱhoitheG3588

ἀδελφοὶadelphoibrothersG80

ἐλθόντεςelthonteshaving comeG2064

ἀπὸapofromG575

Μακεδονίας,MakedoniasMacedonia,G3109

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐνeninG1722

παντὶpantieverythingG3956

ἀβαρῆabarēunburdensomeG4

ἐμαυτὸνemautonmyselfG1473

ὑμῖνhuminto youG4771

ἐτήρησαetērēsaI keptG5083

καὶkaiandG2532

τηρήσω.tērēsōwill keep.G5083

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

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 11:9

2 Thessalonians 3:8-9
Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
1 Thessalonians 2:9
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:6
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
Philippians 4:10-16
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. …
Hebrews 11:37
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Acts 20:33
I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
2 Corinthians 8:1-2
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
Acts 18:3
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
2 Corinthians 12:13-16
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
Philippians 2:25
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
2 Corinthians 6:4
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

wanted.
6:4; 9:12; Php 2:25; 4:11-14; Heb 11:37
I was.
12:13; Ne 5:15; Ac 18:3; 20:33; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8,9
the brethren.
8:1,2; Php 4:10,15,16
See on ver.
8
burdensome.
12:14-16; 1Th 2:6

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

Context

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.
2 Corinthians 11:10
As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:9 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y estando con vosotros y teniendo necesidad, á ninguno fuí carga; porque lo que me faltaba, suplieron los hermanos que vinieron de Macedonia: y en todo me guardé de seros gravoso, y me guardaré.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et me trouvant auprès de vous et dans le besoin, je n’ai été à charge à personne; (car les frères venus de Macédoine ont suppléé à mes besoins;) et je me suis gardé de vous être à charge en quoi que ce soit, et je m’en garderai.
German Elberfelder 1871	Und als ich bei euch anwesend war und Mangel litt, fiel ich niemandem zur Last, und ich hielt mich in allem euch unbeschwerlich, und werde mich also halten.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et cum essem apud vos, et egerem, nulli onerosus fui: nam quod mihi deerat, suppleverunt fratres, qui venerunt a Macedonia: et in omnibus sine onere me vobis servavi, et servabo.