2 Corinthians 11:9
Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
وَلَمَّا كُنْتُ أحتَاجُ إلَى شَيءٍ وَأنَا مَعَكُمْ، لَمْ أُثقِلْ عَلَى أحَدٍ مِنْكُمْ. بَلْ إنَّ الإخوَةَ الَّذِينَ وَصَلُوا مِنْ مَكدُونِيَّةَ هُمُ الَّذِينَ سَدُّوا حَاجَتِي. وَفِي كُلِّ شَيءٍ لَمْ أسمَحْ لِنَفْسِي، وَلَنْ أسمَحَ لَهَا، بِأنْ تَكُونَ عِبئًا عَلَيْكُمْ.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, Paul is reminding the Corinthians that when he was with them, he did not ask for money or support from them. Instead, his fellow believers who came from Macedonia helped him. He wanted to avoid being a burden to the Corinthian church.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a friend who always brings snacks to share at playdates. One day, your mom tells you that instead of asking for snacks from other kids' parents, she will bring them herself so you don't have to ask others. That's what Paul did: he didn’t want to ask the Corinthians for help and brought his own support.
Historical Background
2 Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul around AD 56-57. He wrote this letter to encourage the Corinthian church and address issues such as division, immorality, and improper attitudes toward spiritual gifts in their community.
Living It Out Today
Today, when we are in a position of leadership or influence within a group, it's important not to take advantage of others' generosity. Instead, we can rely on support from other friends or communities to avoid burdening those under our care.
Topics
leadershipgenerositysupportchurch relationsself-sufficiencymutual aid
Related Verses
Philippians 4:10-19Acts 20:33-35John 6:7-13Matthew 10:8-10Galatians 6:6
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the reason behind Paul's decision not to be a burden on the Corinthians?
Paul wanted to maintain his independence and integrity as an apostle. By avoiding dependency, he could preach the gospel freely without any strings attached from his audience.
How did the Macedonians support Paul?
The Macedonian believers provided financial assistance to Paul when he was in Corinth. This allowed him to focus on his ministry without worrying about personal expenses.
What can we learn about leadership from this verse?
Leaders should strive for self-sufficiency and avoid exploiting their positions for personal gain, showing integrity and care for the community they serve.
How does 2 Corinthians 11:9 relate to church relationships today?
It reminds us that leaders in a church setting should not exploit financial support from members but rather seek mutual aid and maintain self-sufficiency where possible.