Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 12:13

"For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except [it be] that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong." — 2 Corinthians 12:13 (ASV)

Again indulging in gentle irony, Paul observes that the only respect in which the marks of an apostle were not evident in the apostolic church of Corinth was that of support. He never was a financial burden to them—an injustice for which he playfully pleads forgiveness! As in 1 Corinthians 9:1–18 and 2 Corinthians 11:5–12, Paul has moved naturally from a consideration of the signs of apostleship (vv.11–12) to the issue of apostolic rights, particularly support from the church or churches being served.