Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 11:29

"Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not?" — 2 Corinthians 11:29 (ASV)

None of the afflictions mentioned in vv.23–27 was a continuous experience. Paul’s crowning trial and privilege was, however, incessant—the daily pressure of his anxious “concern” (GK 3533) for all the churches (cf. Acts 20:18–21, 28–31). If his trials at Corinth were any indication, the total burden he always bore must have been well-nigh oppressive. But as a faithful “undershepherd,” he shared the constant burden of the chief shepherd with regard to all the sheep.

This total identification of shepherd with sheep, or of a spiritual father with his children in the faith, is illustrated in v.29. Paul was at one with all his converts (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:26), sympathizing with their weakness in faith, conduct, or conscience (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:7–13; 9:22). It is difficult to know what Paul means when he says, “I inwardly burn.” The view that best suits the context is that he felt so ablaze with compassion for a person who was “led into sin” that he shared that person’s deep remorse.