"But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile." — 2 Corinthians 12:16

2 Corinthians 12:16 · KJV

“But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.”

— 2 Corinthians 12:16

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. {for you: Gr. for your souls}

Verse 17

Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

2 Corinthians 12 — Context

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. {for you: Gr. for your souls}

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

I desired Titus, and with {him} I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? {walked we} not in the same steps?

Cross References

2 Corinthians 1:12

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

2 Corinthians 4:2

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. {dishonesty: Gr. shame}

1 Thessalonians 2:3

For our exhortation {was} not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

2 Corinthians 10:2-3

But I beseech {you}, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. {think: or, reckon}

2 Corinthians 7:2

Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

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.

2 Corinthians 11:9-10

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}.

1 Thessalonians 2:5

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God {is} witness: