2 Corinthians 11:7

⁵ For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

⁶ But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

⁸ I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

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.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
KJV: Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
WEB: Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge?
ASV: Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought?
DARBY: Have I committed sin, abasing myself in order that *ye* might be exalted, because I gratuitously announced to you the glad tidings of God?
BLB: Or did I commit a sin, humbling myself so that you⁺ might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you⁺ freely?

ÅB: Eller gjorde jeg synd da jeg ydmyket meg selv for at dere skulle opphøyes, idet jeg uten vederlag forkynte dere Guds evangelium?
OTB: Eller gjorde jeg noe galt ved å ydmyke meg selv så dere kunne bli opphøyd, fordi jeg forkynte Guds evangelium til dere gratis?
B1930: Eller gjorde jeg synd da jeg ydmyket mig selv forat I skulde ophøies, idet jeg uten vederlag forkynte eder Guds evangelium?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Corinthians 12:13
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.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 4:10–12
We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 10:1
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
Read in context
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.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 9:6
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
Read in context
1 Corinthians 9:14–18
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Read in context
Acts 20:34
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Read in context
2 Thessalonians 3:8
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:
Read in context