The Acts of the Apostles mention but one visit of Paul to Corinth prior to the date of this epistle. From this passage, as well as from 2, 1 and 13, 1. 2, it is plain that he had already- been twice in that city. The words, therefore, the third time^ in this verse, belong to the word come^ and not to I am ready. The sense is not, ' I am the third time ready,' but, ' I am ready to come the third time.' His purpose was to act on this third visit on the same principle which had controlled his conduct on the two preceding occasions. I icill not be biir- densotne to you^ I will receive nothing from you. For this he gives two reasons, both not only consistent with his love for them, but proofs of his love. For I seek not yours^ hut you. This is the first reason. He had no mercenary or selfish ends to accomplish. It was not their money, but their souls he desired to win. For the children ought not to lay \ip for the parents^ but the parents for the children. This was the second reason. He stood to them in the relation of a parent. In the course of nature, it was the parent's office to provide for the children, and not the children for the parent. You must al- low me, says Paul, a parent's privilege. Thus gracefully and tenderly does the apostle reconcile a seemingly ungracious act with the kmd feelings which he cherished in himself and de- sired to excite in them.
15. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you ; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
As I am your father, I will gladly act as such, spend and be spent for you ; even though I forfeit your love by acting in a way which love forces me to act. This is the strongest expression of disinterested affection. Paul was wiUing not only to give his property but himself, his life and strength, for them (literally, for your souls, virip rtov ij/vx^^v {-/xiov), not only without a recomj)ense, but at the cost of their love.
16. But be it so, I did not burden you : neverthe- less, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
J3e it so ; that is, admitted that I did not personally bur- den you, yet (you may say) I craftily did it through others. This was designed to meet the ungenerous objection which