dongiovanni1976x

Ealier it was asked how anyone could believe Paul given that,

in 2 Corinthians 12:16 (NASB) "But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. "

Paul exaggerating that the Gospel had already been proclamied to all creation (Colossians 1:23 NASB)

And, in 1 Corinthians 9:20-23 (NASB) Paul admits to being like a chameleon by, "To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law..."etc

In the NRSV 2 Corinthians 12:16 says, "Let it be assumed that I did no burden you. Nevertheless, (you say) since I was crafty, I took you in by deciet." Where did this "you say" come into the text? What manuscript is the NRSV using to insert this? Does anyone know? :huh:

Phlox Pyros

In this verse, Paul is somewhat sarcastically responding to accusers. He is not actually saying that he really did "take" anyone by "deceit". The "you say" is not in the text, it was added for clarity. Reading the verse in context, it may make more sense.

2 Corinthians 12:13-18

13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! 14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course?

dongiovanni1976x

Ahh...in a sense it was a sarcastic/rhetorical statement...almost like the the word trickery needs to be stress as if it was a question.
Good point