2Corinthians 12:14-18 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome 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. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
‘Third time I am ready to come to you.’ This is the third time he has resolved to come to them. He planned it twice before, but could not make it (1Cor. 16:5; 2Cor. 1:15-16; 13:1-2).
‘But you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.’ He seeks their salvation, not their property. He said he will continue this policy (12:14-16).
‘Being crafty, I caught you with guile.’ Paul’s enemies accused him of using tricks to get what he was pretending that he would not take from them. He answers this charge by the questions of 2Corinthians 12:17-18.
‘Same spirit’ – characteristic of all true ministers. It is the same as being ‘one’ or ‘with one accord.’ With one mind (Acts 2:1, 46; 4:24; 5:12; 7:57; 8:6; 12:20; 15:25; 18:12; 19:29; 24:1-27; Rom. 15:6; Php. 2:2; 1Pet. 3:8). Being of one mind means to believe the same and think the same: we are commanded to do so according to the gospel of Jesus Christ (1Pet. 2:21-23) and not what church doctrines, ministers or different teachings ascribe as to the gospel. None will be uninterested, unconcerned, or lukewarm, but all will be in earnest and united in faith and prayer.
Living the Word 