2 Corinthians 11:12

KJV

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} what {G3739} I do {G4160}, that {G2532} I will do {G4160}, that {G2443} I may cut off {G1581} occasion {G874} from them which desire {G2309} occasion {G874}; that {G2443} wherein {G1722}{G3739} they glory {G2744}, they may be found {G2147} even {G2532} as {G2531} we {G2249}.

Complete Jewish Bible

No, I do it — and will go on doing it — in order to cut the ground from under those who want an excuse to boast that they work the same way we do.

Berean Standard Bible

But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.

American Standard Version

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Corinthians 11:12, the Apostle Paul firmly declares his unwavering commitment to maintaining his self-supporting ministry, a practice he intends to continue despite opposition. His strategic aim is to eliminate any pretext for his adversaries—the false apostles in Corinth—to boast of their own financial practices or perceived superiority, thereby ensuring that their claims of apostolic authenticity are exposed as hollow when compared to Paul's selfless and integrity-driven service. This verse serves as a potent defense of his genuine apostleship and a challenge to the motives of those who sought to undermine him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Paul's passionate and often sarcastic defense of his apostleship against "false apostles" or "super-apostles" who had infiltrated the Corinthian church. Chapters 10-13 form a distinct section where Paul directly confronts these opponents, defending his authority, character, and ministry methods. Immediately preceding this verse, Paul recounts how he preached the gospel to the Corinthians without charge, even "robbing" other churches by accepting support from them to avoid burdening the Corinthians ([2 Corinthians 11:7-9](/2_corinthians/11-7-9 "Paul's Self-Support and the Macedonian Churches")). His refusal to accept financial support from Corinth was a deliberate strategy, which his opponents likely twisted to imply his inferiority or lack of true apostolic standing. Verse 12 reiterates his unyielding resolve to continue this practice, directly setting the stage for his sharp critique of the false apostles in the verses that follow ([2 Corinthians 11:13-15](/2_corinthians/11-13-15 "Warning Against False Apostles")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church was a vibrant but problematic community, marked by divisions, moral issues, and susceptibility to various influences. In the Greco-Roman world, itinerant philosophers, rhetoricians, and religious teachers often charged fees for their services, and their status was sometimes linked to their ability to command such remuneration. The "false apostles" likely operated within this cultural expectation, possibly boasting of their eloquence, spiritual gifts, or Jewish heritage, and accepting payment from the Corinthians. Paul, however, deliberately chose a different path, mirroring the self-sacrificial nature of the gospel he preached. His refusal to be a financial burden was a counter-cultural act, designed to demonstrate the purity of his motives and to distinguish his ministry from those who sought personal gain. This context highlights the tension between worldly standards of success and Paul's commitment to Christ-like humility.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in 2 Corinthians and Paul's broader theology. First, it underscores **Authentic Apostleship and Ministry**, contrasting Paul's selfless service with the self-serving motives of his opponents. Paul consistently defines true ministry by suffering, humility, and integrity, rather than by outward show or financial gain, as seen throughout [2 Corinthians 4](/2_corinthians/4 "Paul's Ministry and Suffering"). Second, it highlights Paul's **Strategic Wisdom and Pastoral Care**. His decision to work with his own hands or accept support from other churches was not a sign of weakness but a deliberate tactic to protect the Corinthians from exploitation and to remove any "occasion" for slander. This reflects his deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the church, as he expresses in [2 Corinthians 11:2](/2_corinthians/11-2 "Paul's Jealousy for the Corinthians"). Finally, the verse addresses the theme of **Boasting**, a recurring motif in Paul's letters. While the false apostles "glory" in their worldly advantages and financial practices, Paul consistently redirects boasting to the Lord alone, as he famously states in [1 Corinthians 1:31](/1_corinthians/1-31 "Boasting in the Lord"). Here, he aims to expose the emptiness of their self-glory by forcing them to confront his own self-sacrificial conduct.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cut off (Greek, _ekkóptō'_):** From the Strong's G1581, meaning "to exscind; figuratively, to frustrate." This word suggests a decisive, surgical act of severing or removing. Paul's intention is not merely to avoid giving an opportunity, but to decisively "cut off" or "frustrate" any ground for accusation. He is actively eliminating the very root of their potential boast, rendering their strategy ineffective.
* **occasion (Greek, _aphormḗ'_):** From the Strong's G874, meaning "a starting-point, i.e. (figuratively) an opportunity." This term refers to a base of operations, a pretext, or a strategic advantage. Paul is removing the very "launching pad" from which his adversaries could attack his integrity or justify their own practices. By removing this "occasion," he denies them any legitimate ground for their criticisms or self-exaltation.
* **glory (Greek, _kaucháomai'_):** From the Strong's G2744, meaning "to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense)." In this context, it carries a negative connotation, referring to the boasting or bragging of the false apostles. They "glory" in their perceived superiority, perhaps their eloquence, their Jewish heritage, or their ability to command financial support. Paul's aim is to expose the emptiness of this self-centered "glorying" by demonstrating a superior, humble, and selfless model of ministry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But what I do, that I will do":** This opening clause expresses Paul's resolute determination and consistency. The repetition emphasizes his unwavering commitment to his established practice of not accepting financial support from the Corinthians. It's a declaration of fixed purpose, signaling that his conduct is not circumstantial or negotiable but rooted in deep conviction.
* **"that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion":** This reveals Paul's strategic motivation. He aims to eliminate any "occasion" or pretext for his opponents to criticize him or to justify their own self-serving practices. The phrase "them which desire occasion" highlights the malicious intent of his adversaries, who are actively seeking opportunities to undermine him. Paul is pre-empting their attacks by removing the very ground they wish to stand on.
* **"that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we":** This is the ultimate goal of Paul's strategy. The false apostles "glory" (boast) in their own perceived advantages or methods, which likely included accepting payment. Paul wants his consistent, self-sacrificial conduct to expose their boasting as hollow. He challenges them, implicitly, to demonstrate the same integrity and selflessness. The phrase "even as we" means "even as I am found" or "even as we are found," implying that their true character and motives should be revealed to be just like Paul's in terms of selfless service, or, more likely, to expose that they are *not* like him, thereby revealing their hypocrisy.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in this concise but powerful verse. **Repetition** is prominent, particularly in the phrases "what I do, that I will do" and "occasion from them which desire occasion." This repetition underscores Paul's unwavering resolve and highlights the deliberate, opportunistic nature of his opponents. The phrase "cut off occasion" functions as a **Metaphor**, portraying Paul's action as a decisive, almost surgical, severing of the ground his adversaries wish to stand on. Furthermore, the verse is rich in **Antithesis**, implicitly contrasting Paul's selfless, integrity-driven ministry with the self-serving, boastful practices of the false apostles. His aim is to reveal that "wherein they glory," they are in fact found to be fundamentally different from Paul, exposing their hypocrisy through the stark contrast of their behaviors.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's unwavering commitment to self-support in 2 Corinthians 11:12 is not merely a personal preference but a profound theological statement about the nature of authentic ministry. It underscores the principle that true gospel work is motivated by selfless love for Christ and His people, not by personal gain or worldly prestige. Paul's refusal to be a financial burden to the Corinthians served as a powerful witness to the purity of his motives, distinguishing him from those who used ministry for self-enrichment. This act of self-abasement for the sake of the gospel reflects the very heart of Christ's servanthood and challenges believers to examine their own motivations in service, ensuring that our "glorying" is always in the Lord, not in ourselves or our accomplishments.

* [1 Corinthians 9:15-18](/1_corinthians/9-15-18 "Paul's Refusal to Use His Rights")
* [Philippians 2:3-8](/philippians/2-3-8 "Christ's Humility and Self-Emptying")
* [1 Peter 5:2-3](/1_peter/5-2-3 "Shepherding the Flock Willingly, Not for Dishonest Gain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's steadfast resolve in 2 Corinthians 11:12 offers profound lessons for believers today concerning integrity, discernment, and the nature of selfless service. In a world where motives are often questioned and accusations are readily made, Paul's example calls us to live with such consistent integrity that we disarm our critics by leaving them no legitimate "occasion" for slander. This requires a deep commitment to our principles, especially when they are counter-cultural or demand personal sacrifice. It also challenges us to critically examine the "glory" we seek, whether in our personal lives, our careers, or our ministries. Are we seeking our own praise, recognition, or financial gain, or are we genuinely striving for Christ's glory and the good of others, even if it means personal cost? Paul's life demonstrates that authentic ministry is not defined by outward show or material reward, but by humble, consistent, and sacrificial service that mirrors the heart of the gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or service might I be tempted to "glory" in myself rather than in Christ?**
* **How can I live with such consistent integrity that I "cut off occasion" for valid criticism from those who might seek to undermine my witness?**
* **What personal sacrifices might God be calling me to make to ensure my motives in ministry or service are pure and above reproach?**
* **How can Paul's example of self-sacrifice inform my discernment of true versus false teaching or leadership in the church today?**

### FAQ

**What does Paul mean by "cut off occasion from them which desire occasion"?**

Answer: Paul is referring to his adversaries, the "false apostles" in Corinth, who were likely seeking any opportunity or pretext to discredit him and elevate themselves. By consistently refusing financial support from the Corinthians, Paul removed any "occasion" (Greek: _aphormḗ_, meaning a starting point or base of operations) for them to accuse him of greed, self-enrichment, or to contrast their paid ministry with his unpaid one as a sign of his inferiority. He strategically eliminated their potential grounds for boasting or accusation, thereby frustrating their attempts to undermine his apostolic authority and the message of the gospel. His actions were a deliberate defense of his integrity and a challenge to their motives.

**Who were the "them" that "desire occasion" and "glory" in this verse?**

Answer: The "them" refers to the "false apostles" or "super-apostles" who had infiltrated the Corinthian church. Paul describes them in [2 Corinthians 11:13](/2_corinthians/11-13 "False Apostles as Deceitful Workers") as "deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ." These individuals were likely boasting of their eloquence, their spiritual gifts, their Jewish heritage, or their ability to command financial remuneration for their ministry. They sought to undermine Paul's authority and influence in Corinth, possibly by implying that his refusal to accept payment was a sign of weakness or a lack of true apostolic standing. Paul's aim in this verse is to expose their self-serving motives and reveal the emptiness of their boasting.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's resolute commitment to selfless service in 2 Corinthians 11:12, where he "cuts off occasion" for his adversaries' boasting, finds its ultimate fulfillment and pattern in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Paul intentionally removed any pretext for his opponents to accuse him of self-interest, Christ himself, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Christ's Humility and Kenosis")). Jesus consistently refused worldly glory, power, or financial gain, instead embracing a path of humility and self-sacrifice that culminated in his death on the cross ([Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "The Son of Man Came to Serve")). He did not seek to "glory" in his own power but pointed all glory to the Father ([John 8:50](/john/8-50 "Jesus Does Not Seek His Own Glory")). Paul's determination to serve without charge, to avoid being a burden, and to expose the self-serving motives of others, directly mirrors Christ's own example of radical self-emptying love. It is a profound demonstration that authentic ministry, like authentic salvation, is always rooted in the selfless, sacrificial love of the Lamb of God, who came not to be served but to serve ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "The Son of Man Came to Serve")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 9:12

If others be partakers of [this] power over you, [are] not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:18

Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

2 Corinthians 10:17

But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Job 23:13

¶ But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.

2 Corinthians 1:17

When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

Philippians 1:15

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

Philippians 1:30

Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear [to be] in me.