John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 12:14

"Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children." — 2 Corinthians 12:14 (ASV)

Behold, this third time He commends his own deed, for which he had received a very poor return from the Corinthians. For he says that he refrained from taking their worldly substance for two reasons: first, because he sought them, not their wealth; and secondly, because he was desiring to act as a father towards them. From this it appears what commendation was due to his modesty, which caused him contempt among the Corinthians.

I seek not yours. It is the role of a genuine and upright pastor not to seek to derive gain from his sheep, but to endeavor to promote their welfare. However, at the same time, it is to be observed that people should not be sought with the intention of gathering one's own particular followers.

It is a bad thing to be devoted to gain, or to undertake the office of a pastor with the intention of making a trade of it; but for a person to draw away disciples after him, (Acts 20:30) for purposes of ambition, is greatly worse. Paul, however, means that he is not greedy for payment, but is concerned only for the welfare of souls.

There is, however, still more elegance in what he says, for it is as though he had said: “I am in quest of a larger reward than you think. I am not content with your wealth, but I seek to have you wholly, that I may present the fruits of my ministry as a sacrifice to the Lord.” But what if one is supported by his labors? Will he in that case seek the worldly substance of the people? Unquestionably, if he is a faithful Pastor, he will always seek the welfare of the sheep — nothing else. His pay will, it is true, be an additional thing, but he ought to have no other aim than what we have mentioned. Woe to those who look to anything else!

Parents for their children. Was he then no father to the Philippians, who supported him even when absent from them (Philippians 4:15–16)? Was there no one among the other Apostles who was a father, since the Churches provided for their support? He did not by any means intend this, for it is nothing new for even parents to be supported by their children in their old age. Hence, those who live at the expense of the Church are not necessarily unworthy of the honor due to fathers; but Paul simply wished to show from the common law of nature that what he had done proceeded from fatherly affection. This argument, therefore, ought not to be turned in the opposite direction. For he did this as a father; but, though he had acted otherwise, he would nevertheless have been a father still.