Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 12:15

"And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?" — 2 Corinthians 12:15 (ASV)

The apostle announces that his third visit to Corinth is imminent and that his policy regarding support will not be altered. He is determined always to be financially independent of the Corinthians (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:15; 2 Corinthians 11:9, 12); they will have to continue bearing the “injury” he is inflicting on them (cf. v.13)! His affections were set on the Corinthians themselves (cf. 6:11–12; 7:2–3), not on their money. He craved their reciprocated love (6:13; 12:15b), their Christian maturity (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:1–4; Colossians 1:28–29), and their exclusive devotion to Christ (11:2–3).

In defense of this refusal to accept support, Paul appeals to the self-evident truth that it is not the responsibility of children to save up and provide for their parents, but only parents for children. The principle, however, is not universally applicable, for Paul had earlier defended the right of apostles to be supported by their spiritual children (1 Corinthians 9:3–11), and he later asserted, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).

Far from coveting the Corinthians’ property, Paul planned to use all his own resources to achieve their highest good; he would spare nothing in his efforts to win their affection for Christ (cf. Acts 20:24). Yet he looked for a fair exchange (cf. 6:13): “If I love you more [intensely], will you love me less?” There may be an actual comparison here. If Paul’s love for the Corinthians exceeded the love of a father for his children, how could they love him less than children love their father? In other words, Paul is seeking a response of filial love to his paternal affection (cf. 11:11).