Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 11:9

"and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and [so] will I keep [myself]." — 2 Corinthians 11:9 (ASV)

And when I was present with you. When I was laboring in order to build up the church in Corinth.

I was chargeable to no man. I was burdensome to no one; or more literally, "I did not lie as a dead weight upon you." The word used here, which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament (katenarkēsa), means literally to become torpid against, that is, to the detriment of anyone, and therefore to be burdensome.

According to Jerome, its use here is a Cilicism of Paul. The idea is that he did not lead a torpid, inactive life at the expense of others. He did not expect support from them when he was doing nothing, nor did he demand support that would in any sense be a burden to them. By his own hands (Acts 18:3), and by the aid he received from elsewhere, he was supported without deriving aid from the people of Corinth.

And in all things, etc. In all respects I have carefully kept myself from being a burden on the church. Paul had no idea of living at others' expense when he was doing nothing. He did not, as a general rule, mean to receive anything for which he had not rendered a fair equivalent—a just principle for ministers and for all other people. See 2 Corinthians 12:13.