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2Co_12:13. Τί γάρ ἐστιν … ὑμῶν ] Bitterly ironical justification of what was said in 2Co_12:12. For what is there, in which you were placed at a disadvantage towards the other churches (in which I wrought), except, etc.? that is to say: for in nothing have you come behind, as compared with the other churches, except, etc. Quite arbitrarily Grotius limits this question, which embraces the whole blissful apostolic working, to the communication of gifts by the laying on of hands.
ὑπέρ ] means nothing else than beyond, but in the direction downward (reference to the minus) which ἡττήθητε specifies. Comp. Winer, p. 376 [E. T. 502]. Rückert, overlooking the comparative sense of ἡττήθητε , says: there is here an ironical confession that all churches had disadvantage from Paul, and it is only denied that the disadvantage of the Corinthian was greater than that of the other churches. This would not suit at all as assigning a reason for 2Co_12:12. In assigning a reason, Paul could not but say: ye have in nothing come off worse; but to say, for your disadvantage has not been greater, would, with all its irony, be inappropriate. On the accusative of more precise definition with ἡττήθητε , comp. Xen. Cyr. i. 4. 5 : ἃ ἡττῷτο . The more usual construction ᾧ or ἐν ᾧ .
εἰ μὴ ὅτι κ . τ . λ .] In this exception (“specie exceptionis firmat quod dieit,” Grotius) lies the painful bitterness of the passage, which in the request that follows χαρίσασθε κ . τ . λ . becomes still sharper. It is the love, deeply hurt in its pure consciousness, that speak.
αὐτὸς ἐγώ ] I myself; this places his own person over against the apostolic services indicated in τί … ἡττήθητε . Comp. in general on Rom_9:3. Rückert (so also Bengel) holds that Paul has already had in his mind what he subjoins in 2Co_12:16-18. Such an arbitrary prolepsis of the reference is the more untenable, seeing that with 2Co_12:14-15 another train of ideas intervene.
οὐ κατενάρκησα ὑμῶν ] See on 2Co_11:8. Only by the fact that he has not been burdensome to them in accepting payment and the like, has Paul asserted himself as an apostle less among them than among the other churches! For this injustice they are to pardon him!