Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 11:7

"Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought?" — 2 Corinthians 11:7 (ASV)

Have I committed an offence. Have I done wrong. Greek, "Have I committed a sin." There is a somewhat abrupt transition here from the previous verse; and the connection is not very apparent.

Perhaps the connection is this: Paul is asking, "I admit my inferiority in regard to my manner of speaking. But this does not interfere with my full understanding of the doctrines that I preach, nor does it interfere with the numerous evidences I have furnished that I am called to the office of an apostle. What then is the ground of offence? In what have I erred? In what way have I shown that I was not qualified to be an apostle? Is it in the fact that I have not chosen to press my claim to a support, but have preached the gospel without charge?"

There can be no doubt that they urged this as an objection to him, and as a proof that he was conscious that he had no claim to the office of an apostle. See Barnes on 1 Corinthians 9:3, 1 Corinthians 9:4–18. Paul here answers this charge; and the sum of his reply is, that he had received support, but that it had come from others—support which they had furnished because the Corinthians had neglected to do it.

In abasing myself. By labouring with my own hands; by submitting to voluntary poverty, and by neglecting to urge my reasonable claims for a support.

That you might be exalted. In spiritual blessings and comforts. I did it because I could thus better promote religion among you. I could thus avoid the charge of aiming at the acquisition of wealth; could shut the mouths of critics, and could more easily secure access to you. Is it now to be seriously urged as a fault that I have sought your welfare, and that in doing it I have submitted to great self-denial and to many hardships? See Barnes on 1 Corinthians 9:18 and following.