Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11 I have become a fool, [but] you drove me [to it]. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles even though I am nothing. 12 The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance. 13 In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 See I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your [possessions], but you. For children should not have to save up for [their] parents, but parents for [their] children. 15 And for the sake of your souls, I {will} most gladly spend my money and [myself]. If I love you more, will [you] love me less?

16 Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery. 17 Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you? 18 I urged Titus [to visit you], and I sent [our] brother [with him]. {Did} Titus exploit you [in any way]? Did we not walk in the same Spirit [and follow] in the same footsteps?[fn]

19 Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of [this], beloved, [is] to build you up. 20 For I am afraid [that] when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find {me} as you wish. [I fear] that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, [and] disorder. 21 [I am afraid that] when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.