What is the context?
Paul is preparing to come a third time and again says he will avoid burdening them. He wants them, their good and their faithfulness to Christ. He explains his care through the picture of parents providing for their children.
He is willing to spend his resources and himself for their souls. The question about being loved less as he loves more expresses the pain of that costly care being met with suspicion.
The words about being crafty and catching them by trickery take up the suspicion he is answering. His next questions challenge it directly: did he exploit them through any of the people he sent?
He points specifically to Titus and the brother sent with him. Their shared conduct is something the Corinthians can consider. Paul asks whether Titus took advantage of them and whether they followed the same Spirit and footsteps.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly understand this as a defense of sincere care and honest handling of support. Wesley’s notes on verses 14–18 explain the trickery language as an accusation Paul rejects, and the USCCB note on verses 13–18 likewise connects his questions with rejecting secret self-enrichment.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.