Book of 2 Corinthians - Chapter 12 - Verse 17

The verse "Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?" is found in the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. In this verse, Paul is questioning whether he personally benefited financially from any of the messengers he had sent to the Corinthians. This may have been in response to accusations made against him by false teachers who were trying to undermine his authority. Paul emphasizes throughout his letters that he did not seek material gain from his ministry, but rather sought to serve the Corinthians out of love and for the glory of God. By asking this question, Paul is reminding the Corinthians of his integrity and the purity of his motives in sharing the gospel with them. This verse serves as a reminder to believers to always examine their own motives and to ensure that they are serving God faithfully and not seeking personal gain in their ministry.

In this verse, the apostle Paul is questioning the Corinthians about whether he or his fellow workers benefited financially from their interactions with the Corinthians. The phrase "make a gain of you" can be understood both in a literal sense, as in profiting financially, and in a broader sense of gaining any advantage or benefit. Through a theological interpretation, we can see that Paul is addressing the issue of false apostles who might have been seeking personal gain from the Corinthian church. By asking this question, Paul is emphasizing his sincerity and selflessness in his ministry to the Corinthians. He is highlighting that his goal was not to exploit them for personal benefit but to genuinely care for their spiritual well-being. This verse reminds believers to be cautious of those who seek personal gain in the name of ministry and serves as a call to integrity and authenticity in our service to God and others.