Paul is saying I'm not going to change my basic principle. I'm not coming there to all of a sudden be a burden to you. I'm not going to become like all those other false teachers. But this is now the third time. We know that Paul went to Corinth once, recorded for us in Acts Chapter 18, where they received the Lord, and he established the church there.
There was a second time that he was going to go but the Lord had other plans. And so the false teachers jumped all over that one too. "He said he was going to come and see you? Where is he? He didn't make it did he? He doesn't keep his word!"
That's why earlier Paul said our yes and our no is in the Lord, meaning we will be there if it's the Lord's will. So the false teachers made a big deal out of it. So now this is the third time that he's getting ready to come to them.
So then we have the concept under motivation. He says "for I seek not yours, but you. Wow! The word you is literally your soul. Paul is saying I don't seek your money or your possessions, or anything else from you. I seek your soul. Talk about conviction! It doesn't matter to Paul if they have money or not. Paul's concern was over people's souls.
Then he gives the reason, "For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. So Paul is saying "You're the children. You're not supposed to support me, I'm supposed to support you."
That's kind of backwards to the direction we find ourselves in today. But leadership is supposed to support the people, not financially, but with the ministry of the gospel, just as if they were his children. What requirements do you put on your children? Responsibility? Yes! But don't kick your children out just because they are broke.
Paul is saying I'm not going to change my basic principle. I'm not coming there to all of a sudden be a burden to you. I'm not going to become like all those other false teachers. But this is now the third time. We know that Paul went to Corinth once, recorded for us in Acts Chapter 18, where they received the Lord, and he established the church there.
There was a second time that he was going to go but the Lord had other plans. And so the false teachers jumped all over that one too. "He said he was going to come and see you? Where is he? He didn't make it did he? He doesn't keep his word!"
That's why earlier Paul said our yes and our no is in the Lord, meaning we will be there if it's the Lord's will. So the false teachers made a big deal out of it. So now this is the third time that he's getting ready to come to them.
So then we have the concept under motivation. He says "for I seek not yours, but you. Wow! The word you is literally your soul. Paul is saying I don't seek your money or your possessions, or anything else from you. I seek your soul. Talk about conviction! It doesn't matter to Paul if they have money or not. Paul's concern was over people's souls.
Then he gives the reason, "For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. So Paul is saying "You're the children. You're not supposed to support me, I'm supposed to support you."
That's kind of backwards to the direction we find ourselves in today. But leadership is supposed to support the people, not financially, but with the ministry of the gospel, just as if they were his children. What requirements do you put on your children? Responsibility? Yes! But don't kick your children out just because they are broke.
Hopefully this helps!
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