2 Corinthians 11:7 – “Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul is addressing a misunderstanding and criticism from the Corinthians. Some of them seemed to think less of him because he did not accept money for preaching. In the ancient world, teachers, philosophers, and religious leaders often charged fees for their instruction. Many Corinthians may have expected Paul to do the same, assuming that if he did not charge, his message must not be as valuable.

Paul, however, intentionally refused financial support from the Corinthians so that there would be no doubt about his sincerity. He did not want them to think he was preaching for personal gain. Instead, he humbled himself, working as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3) to provide for his needs while spreading the gospel.

Paul’s rhetorical question, “Was it a sin for me to lower myself?”, shows his frustration with their attitude. He sacrificed his own comfort so that they could hear the gospel freely, yet some of them saw this as a weakness rather than a strength. His main concern was not money but ensuring that nothing hindered the Corinthians from fully embracing the gospel.

Historical Context

In Corinth, as in much of the ancient world, public speakers, philosophers, and religious teachers were often paid for their teachings. Some were highly respected because they charged large fees, which made their knowledge seem more valuable. The Corinthians, influenced by their culture, may have viewed Paul’s refusal to accept payment as a sign that his message was not as prestigious as the teachings of others.

Additionally, false teachers in Corinth were likely taking money from the people while promoting themselves as superior to Paul. They may have even used Paul’s refusal to take payment against him, suggesting that his ministry was not legitimate.

However, Paul had a different approach. In other places, he accepted financial support from churches that willingly gave (Philippians 4:15-16), but in Corinth, he chose to support himself to remove any possible accusation that he was preaching for profit.

Theological Implications

1. The gospel is not a product to be bought or sold – Paul’s refusal to charge for his preaching reinforces the truth that salvation is a free gift from God, not something people can buy.
2. True ministry is about serving, not personal gain – Paul humbled himself to elevate the Corinthians, demonstrating that spiritual leadership is about self-sacrifice, not status or wealth.
3. Money should never be a stumbling block to the gospel – Paul avoided anything that might make people suspicious of his motives. His example challenges us to examine whether our own attitudes toward money help or hinder the spread of the gospel.

Literary Analysis

Paul uses a rhetorical question to make his point. By asking, “Was it a sin for me to lower myself?”, he highlights the irony of the Corinthians’ thinking. They should have been grateful for his sacrifice, yet instead, some saw it as a flaw.

The phrase “to elevate you” reveals Paul’s heart as a spiritual leader. He was willing to humble himself so that others could grow in their faith. This reflects the servant leadership that Jesus taught (Matthew 20:26-28).

Paul’s choice of words also highlights his frustration with their misunderstanding. He had done what was right, yet they misinterpreted it as something wrong. This reveals how easily people can misjudge spiritual leaders based on worldly values rather than biblical truth.

Biblical Cross-References

• Matthew 10:8 – Jesus told His disciples, “Freely you have received; freely give.” Paul lived out this principle by not charging for the gospel.
• Acts 18:3 – Paul worked as a tentmaker in Corinth, supporting himself so he could preach freely.
• 1 Corinthians 9:12 – Paul explains that, although he had the right to receive financial support, he did not use that right so that the gospel would not be hindered.
• Philippians 4:15-16 – Unlike the Corinthians, the Philippian church gladly supported Paul financially.
• 1 Timothy 6:10 – Paul warns that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, showing that financial greed can corrupt ministry.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse challenges modern Christians to think about how we view ministry and money. Paul’s example reminds us that:

• The gospel should never be used for personal profit – While it is biblical for pastors and missionaries to receive support (1 Corinthians 9:14), financial gain should never be the motivation for ministry.
• We should be willing to serve without expecting something in return – Paul was willing to humble himself for the sake of others. Are we willing to serve even when there is no reward or recognition?
• Spiritual value is not measured by financial cost – Just as the Corinthians wrongly assumed that Paul’s free preaching made him less important, today, people can be tempted to judge churches or ministries based on wealth, production quality, or popularity rather than faithfulness to the gospel.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in that He offers salvation freely. Paul’s refusal to take money for preaching is a reflection of God’s heart—grace is not something to be purchased, but something given out of love.

This also reveals God’s concern for people over money. In a world where people often try to profit from religion, Paul’s example demonstrates that true ministry is about serving others, not making a profit. God’s love is seen in how He calls leaders who genuinely care about people’s souls, not their wallets.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Paul’s attitude in this verse reflects the heart of Jesus Himself:

• Jesus freely gave Himself for our salvation – Just as Paul refused to charge for the gospel, Jesus paid the price for our salvation so that we could receive it freely (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Jesus humbled Himself to lift us up – Paul’s willingness to “lower himself” reflects Jesus’ ultimate humility in coming to earth, taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5-8).
• Jesus drove out the moneychangers from the temple – He was angered by those who turned God’s house into a place of profit (Matthew 21:12-13). Like Paul, Jesus wanted worship and faith to be pure, not driven by greed.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think the Corinthians misunderstood Paul’s refusal to take financial support?
2. How does Paul’s example challenge the way we view money and ministry today?
3. In what ways do people attach financial value to spiritual things, similar to the Corinthians?
4. How can we serve others selflessly, like Paul, without expecting anything in return?
5. How does this verse help us understand that the gospel is truly a free gift from God?