2 Corinthians 11:11

11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows that I do.

2 Corinthians 11:11 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:11

Wherefore? because I love you not?
&c.] Why did the apostle do this? why did he take nothing, and resolve to take nothing of the Corinthians, for preaching the Gospel to them? why did he determine, that no man should prevent his glorying of this, in all the country of Achaia? was it because he did not love the Corinthians? some might insinuate this was the reason of it, that he had no true affection for them, and therefore would take none of their gifts, but despised both them and theirs, and loved the Macedonian and other churches better than they. To which he answers by saying,

God knoweth;
which is another form of an oath, and is a solemn appeal to God, the searcher of hearts, who knows all things, that he knew he heartily loved them; that it was not want of love to them, which was the reason of his entering into such a resolution, never to take anything of them; but it was something else, quite another thing, which induced him to it, and is mentioned in the following verse.

2 Corinthians 11:11 In-Context

9 And when I was with you and my resources failed, there was no one to whom I became a burden--for the brethren when they came from Macedonia fully supplied my wants--and I kept myself from being in the least a burden to you, and will do so still.

10 Christ knows that it is true when I say that I will not be stopped from boasting of this anywhere in Greece.

11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows that I do.

12 But I will persist in the same line of conduct in order to cut the ground from under the feet of those who desire an opportunity of getting themselves recognized as being on a level with us in the matters about which they boast.

13 For men of this stamp are sham apostles, dishonest workmen, assuming the garb of Apostles of Christ.