Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 11:12

12 But what I do, that I will do , that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion , that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we .

I know (saith the Apostle) that there are some amongst you, who, out of their hatred to me, would seek any occasion to asperse me to iustifie themselves. If I had (as I might) have taken wages amongst you for my labours, they would either have taken occasion from it to have aspersed me (as doing what I did from a mercenary spirit) or at least to have justified themselves in their exactings upon you. I had a mind to prevent any such occasions of boasting

It should seem by these words that some Teachers in this Church, being (possibly) men of Estates, required no maintenance of the People; and would have taken advantage against the Apostle, if he had taken any, Or possibly some others exacted upon them unreasonably; who, had Paul taken wages, would have justified themselves by his Example. The Apostle therefore was resolved to cut off from them any pretence, or occasion of boasting; and to do what ever any of them did, in sparing the Corinthians as to the business of their Purses.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 9.12.