2 Corinthians 11:11

Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) Because I love you not . .—This then had been said. Some of the Corinthians were jealous, or affected to be jealous, of the preference shown to the Macedonians in receiving gifts from them. With an emphatic appeal to Him who reads the secrets of men’s hearts, he disclaims that imputation.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

11:5-15 It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially when we consider the great power which Satan, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, has upon the minds of many. And as there are temptations to evil conduct, so there is equal danger on the other side. It serves Satan's purposes as well, to set up good works against the atonement of Christ, and salvation by faith and grace. But the end will discover those who are deceitful workers; their work will end in ruin. Satan will allow his ministers to preach either the law or the gospel separately; but the law as established by faith in Christ's righteousness and atonement, and the partaking of his Spirit, is the test of every false system.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wherefore ... - It is not because I do not love you. It is not from pride, or because I would not as willingly receive aid from you as from any other. It is not because I am more unwilling to be under obligation to you than to others. I have a deep and tender attachment to you; but it is because I can thus best promote the gospel and advance the kingdom of the Redeemer. Possibly it might have been thought that his unwillingness to receive aid from them was some proof of reserve toward them or lack of affection, and this may have been urged against him. This he solemnly denies.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

11. Love is often offended at its favors being not accepted, as though the party to whom they are offered wished to be under no obligation to the offerer.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Can you possibly interpret my not being chargeable to you, as proceeding from a want of love in me to you? God knoweth the contrary.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Wherefore? because I love you not?.... Why did the apostle do this? why did he take nothing, and resolve to take nothing of the Corinthians, for preaching the Gospel to them? why did he determine, that no man should prevent his glorying of this, in all the country of Achaia? was it because he did not love the Corinthians? some might insinuate this was the reason of it, that he had no true affection for them, and therefore would take none of their gifts, but despised both them and theirs, and loved the Macedonian and other churches better than they. To which he answers by saying,

God knoweth; which is another form of an oath, and is a solemn appeal to God, the searcher of hearts, who knows all things, that he knew he heartily loved them; that it was not want of love to them, which was the reason of his entering into such a resolution, never to take anything of them; but it was something else, quite another thing, which induced him to it, and is mentioned in the following verse.

Geneva Study Bible

Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:11. Negative specification of the reason for his continuing to preach gratuitously in Achaia.

How easily, since he had accepted something from the poorer Macedonians, might his conduct appear or be represented to the Corinthians as the result of a cold, disdainful, distrustful disposition towards them! Love willingly accepts from the beloved one what is due to i.

ὁ θεὸς οἶδεν] namely, that the reason is not want of love to you.

Observe the lively interrogative form (Dissen, ad Dem, de cor. pp. 186, 347).

Expositor's Greek Testament

2 Corinthians 11:11. διατί; ὅτι οὐκ ἀγ. κ.τ.λ.: wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth, i.e., that I do love you.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11. Wherefore? because I love you not?] See 2 Corinthians 11:7 and note. The same ironical tone is adopted. ‘Can you suppose that this is a proof of my indifference towards you?’ And then the Apostle suddenly becomes serious, and appeals to God who knows the heart.

Bengel's Gnomen

2 Corinthians 11:11. Ὅτι, because) Love is often offended even by refusing [favours].

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - Wherefore? Be cannot tell them the real ultimate reason, which is their whole character and nature. Because I love you not? He has already assured them of his deep affection (2 Corinthians 7:2; comp. 12:15). 2 Corinthians 11:11