A common misinterpretation views this verse as Paul reluctantly admitting potential misconduct by Titus or suggesting ministers should never accept support, ignoring the rhetorical questions that affirm shared uprightness; others wrongly apply it to condemn all church fundraising or tithing as 'making a gain,' detached from the context of defending against opportunistic false apostles who preyed on believers for personal profit.
II Corinthians 12:18
King James Version (1769)
18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
Paul assures the Corinthian church that he and Titus maintained the same integrity in their ministry, neither exploiting them financially nor deviating from pure motives, as evidenced by their shared spirit and consistent conduct, thereby defending apostolic authenticity against accusations from false teachers and emphasizing selfless service in spreading the gospel.