Note 6 at 2 Cor. 12:14: It is not certain what Paul meant here. He did mention three times in this letter that he was coming to see the Corinthians again (2 Cor. 1:15; here; 13:1). But this is only the second mention of this in this letter. Therefore, it would appear that he is not referring to his third mention of visiting them.

The book of Acts only records one previous visit to Corinth at the time that Paul wrote 2 Corinthians (see Overview in the Introduction to the Book of 2 Corinthians, p. 972). So, it would appear that Paul is not speaking about an actual third visit to the Corinthians, since he had only been there once at this time.

It is possible that Paul is referring to 1 Corinthians 16:2-7, where he promised to come back to Corinth, as the second time he had purposed to visit the Corinthians, and now this would be his third attempt to make it. He had changed his plans to visit Corinth a second time as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16, because he didn't feel the Corinthians had repented yet of the things he had rebuked them for in the first letter (2 Cor. 1:23-2:3). He wanted to take care of any remaining problems with this letter so that when he arrived there would be harmony.

Note 7 at 2 Cor. 12:14: Paul had just said he would continue his practice of not receiving money from the Corinthians when he returned unto them (see ref. k on the word "burdensome"). He is now stating his reason for doing that. It is because he is more concerned with the Corinthians themselves than what he can profit from them.

The scriptures teach that those who minister spiritual things should receive material things (money) from those they minister to (see notes 7-13 at 1 Cor. 9:11-14, p. 905). So, it is not wrong for a minister to expect to get his needs met from his ministry. But it is wrong for the monetary benefit to become the motive for ministry.

Being a minister is not just another job. It is a calling to take the love of Jesus to people. In the process of doing that, the Lord will meet the needs of the minister through people, as long as his focus stays fixed on the people and not the money.

Note 8 at 2 Cor. 12:14: Paul had already made use of the analogy of his being a spiritual parent to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 4:15; 2 Cor. 6:13; 11:2). He now expands on that analogy. Just as parents support children and not the other way around, so Paul had ministered the gospel freely to the Corinthians without financial reward.