2 Corinthians 12:16-18 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Be it so, &c. But some may object; though I did not burden you Though I did not take any thing of you myself; yet being crafty, I caught you with guile I did secretly by my messengers what I would not do openly or in person. I answer this lying accusation by appealing to plain fact. Did I make a gain of you by any of my messengers? You know the contrary. It should be carefully observed that St. Paul does not allow, but absolutely denies, that he had caught them with guile. So that the common plea for guile, which has been drawn from this text, is utterly without foundation. I desired Titus To go to you; and with him I sent a brother Who that brother was, is not known. He may have been one of the apostle's companions in travel, who was with him in Ephesus when he wrote his first epistle to the Corinthians. Or he may have been one of the Ephesian brethren, whose zeal for the gospel moved him to accompany Titus to Corinth, when he carried the former letter. Did Titus make a gain of you? Did he draw any money from you, either on account of his own maintenance, or on pretence that he would persuade me to receive it for mine? Walked we not in the same spirit, &c. Did we not all agree in mind and practice?