Have I Committed an Offense? 2 Corinthians 11:7

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth that he was not, “rude in speech, yet not in knowledge”, and he added, “but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things”. In chapter eleven and verse seven of Second Corinthians, Paul asked the church members,“have I committed an offense in abasing myself” where we read:

Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that you might be exalted,

because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

The verse begins, “Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that you might be exalted, ...” Paul began with the words, “have I committed” which means “had Paul made, produced, constructed, formed and fashioned” “an offense” or “a missing of the mark, error and mistake” “in abasing myself” which means “in making himself low, reducing to meaner circumstances and humble” “that you” or “so the church members” “might be exalted” which means “may be lifted up on high, exalted and raised to dignity, honor and happiness”. Paul began his question with wondering if the church members thought he “missed the mark and erred” because he “humbled” himself so they could be “raised to dignity”.

The verse goes on to say, “... because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?” Paul added the word, “because” which means “that and since” “I have preached” or “Paul brought the glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God, and of the salvation to be obtained in it through Christ and of what relates to this salvation” “to you” or “to the church members” “the gospel” or “the glad tidings of the kingdom of God soon to be set up, and subsequently also of Jesus the Messiah, the founder of this kingdom” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “freely” which means “undeservedly, without a cause, for naught and in vain”. Paul added how he “presented” the “good news” of God without charge to the Corinthians.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how he questioned the church members concerning his motive and method for bringing the “good news” of Jesus Christ to them. He had “committed no offense”, and he “humbled” himself to “freely” give them the “gospel”. Paul's example of how to share the “gospel of Jesus Christ” should be an inspiration for everyone who reads these words, and as He gives opportunities to share Him with others, may we do so “humbly” and “freely” to be in alignment with Him.

Next time Paul tells the church members “I have robbed other churches...to do you service”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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