5 I do not think that those “great apostles” are any better than I am.
6 I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have shown this to you clearly in every way.
7 I preached God’s Good News to you without pay. I made myself unimportant to make you important. Do you think that was wrong?
8 I accepted pay from other churches, taking their money so I could serve you.
9 If I needed something when I was with you, I did not trouble any of you. The brothers who came from Macedonia gave me all that I needed. I did not allow myself to depend on you in any way, and I will never depend on you.
10 No one in Southern Greece will stop me from bragging about that. I say this with the truth of Christ in me.
11 And why do I not depend on you? Do you think it is because I do not love you? God knows that I love you.