But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours.
Parallel translations
- WEB But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we.
- KJV But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
- BSB But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.
- NKJV But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.
- NASB But what I am doing I will also continue to do, so that I may eliminate the opportunity from those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul will keep refusing support to deny the false apostles any basis for claiming equality with him. He removes the pretext they seek for their own boasting.
Overview
Paul's continued self-support strategically undercuts the rivals, who wished to boast on the same footing as him. By taking nothing, Paul exposes their mercenary motives and denies them grounds for comparison. His policy is a calculated defense of the gospel against those who would exploit the church.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 1 Cor 9:12If others partake of this right over you, don’t we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ.
- 2 Cor 11:9When 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.
- Phil 1:15–30Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
- Gal 1:7and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.
- Job 23:13But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.
- 1 Cor 5:6Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump?
- 2 Cor 10:17But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”
- 2 Cor 1:17When I therefore was thus determined, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the “Yes, yes” and the “No, no?”
- 2 Cor 5:12For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.
- Gal 6:13–14For even they who receive circumcision don’t keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.
- 2 Cor 11:18Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.
- 1 Tim 5:14I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 11:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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