2 Corinthians 11:7-8; Preached the Gospel Freely

2 Corinthians 11:7-8 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

The Apostle Paul preached the gospel in Corinth whilst staying with Aquila and Priscilla who, like him, were tent-makers. Every Sabbath day, he would go to the synagogue to preach the gospel. It was from that initial work that souls were saved and that the church in Corinth began. The Apostle Paul was also able to do the work through the support and help of other churches who contributed to the needs of the gospel work.

He had to speak these words because it has been said that his service in Corinth was worthless because he did not accept any payments from the church. The flow of his discourse centres on the intruders to the church who were charging the church for the preaching of their gospel. They lived comfortably by following the rule that the teacher should be paid for his work. By breaking this basic rule, so they intimated, the Apostle Paul demonstrated that his work was below par and his love for the church in Corinth questionable. [Hendricksen]

This was the account:

Acts 18:1-11 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the  Greeks. 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:1-11 KJV)

We know from the record of Luke that it was Jesus who commissioned and persuaded the Apostle Paul to remain in Corinth for the soul’s that God has ordained to be saved. The haggling was to undermine the authentic gospel message that the Apostle Paul was preaching. He had to ward off the enemies’ false accusations so that the gospel work may not be thwarted by established.

Thank God for men of courage and conviction to preach the pure word without fear or favour. Amen.