| Geneva Study Bible {4} Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? (4) Another slander, that is, that he was a rascal, and lived by the labour of his own hands. But in this, the apostle says, what can you lay against me, except that I was content to take any pains for your sakes? For when I lacked, I travailed for my living with my own hands. And also when poverty forced me, I chose rather to seek my sustenance than to be any burden to you, even though I preached the Gospel to you. People's New Testament 11:7 Have I committed an offence in absing myself, etc. He had at Corinth supported himself in part by his own labor (Ac 18:3). See PNT 1Co 9:13. Yet these false apostles seemed to have charged that he did not dare to ask for the support which was due an apostle. Wesley's Notes 11:7 Have I committed an offence - Will any turn this into an objection? In humbling myself - To work at my trade. That ye might be exalted - To be children of God. Scofield Reference Notes Margin offence Sin. See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:23". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 7. Have I-literally, "Or have I?" Connected with 2Co 11:6, "Or will any of you make it an objection that I have preached to you gratuitously?" He leaves their good feeling to give the answer, that this, so far from being an objection, was a decided superiority in him above the false apostles (1Co 9:6-15). abasing myself-in my mode of living, waiving my right of maintenance, and earning it by manual labor; perhaps with slaves as his fellow laborers (Ac 18:3; Php 4:12). ye . exalted-spiritually, by your admission to Gospel privileges. because-"in that." gospel of God-"of God" implies its divine glory to which they were admitted. freely-"without charge." Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 11:5-15 It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially when we consider the great power which Satan, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, has upon the minds of many. And as there are temptations to evil conduct, so there is equal danger on the other side. It serves Satan's purposes as well, to set up good works against the atonement of Christ, and salvation by faith and grace. But the end will discover those who are deceitful workers; their work will end in ruin. Satan will allow his ministers to preach either the law or the gospel separately; but the law as established by faith in Christ's righteousness and atonement, and the partaking of his Spirit, is the test of every false system. | 
