2 Corinthians 12:16 (LSB)

Passage

But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself. Nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 12:14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you. For children ought not to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2 Corinthians 12:15 So I will most gladly spend and be fully spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

2 Corinthians 12:16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself. Nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.

2 Corinthians 12:17 Have I taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you?

2 Corinthians 12:18 I encouraged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit—in the very same steps?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "burden", "myself", "nevertheless", "crafty", "fellow", "took", and "deceit". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "burden" and "myself", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 15's "So I will most gladly spend and..." into verse 17's "Have I taken advantage of you through...", so "burden" and "myself" belong inside that flow. In 2 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "burden" and "myself" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.