Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

During his initial visit to Corinth, Paul had at first supported himself by plying his trade as a “leatherworker” (Acts 18:3), but on the arrival of Silas and Timothy from Macedonia, “he began to devote himself entirely to preaching” (Acts 18:5), presumably because “brothers who came from Macedonia” brought monetary gifts from Philippi and possibly Thessalonica (cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:6). Providentially the gift arrived just when his resources had failed and he had begun to feel need. Even in this extremity he had not been a burden to anyone in Corinth. Financial independence would continue to be his policy.