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2 Corinthians 11 The Ministry of Reconciliation

1 Paul and the False Apostles
I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; but you are already doing that.

2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.

3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

5 But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”

6 I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.

7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?

8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you.

9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.

10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine.

11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.

14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

16 Paul Boasts About His Sufferings
I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting.

17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool.

18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.

19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise!

20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face.

21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.

24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,

26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.

27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.

32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.

33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.

Previous Chapter 2 Corinthians 10 Next Chapter 2 Corinthians 12

Analysis of 2 Corinthians Chapter 11

In 2 Corinthians Chapter 11, the Apostle Paul continues addressing the issues within the Corinthian church. This chapter focuses heavily on Paul’s concerns about false apostles and the sincerity of his own apostleship. It underscores his passionate defense of his ministry, his credentials, and his hardships. Let’s delve into the text and explore its deeper meanings and implications for both the early Christian community and contemporary believers.

Paul’s Jealousy for the Corinthians (Verses 1-4)

Paul begins with a plea for forbearance:

I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! (2 Corinthians 11:1)

He uses a tone of ironic and humble self-deprecation, indicating he will be engaging in boastful speech but asking the Corinthians to tolerate it for a purpose. He expresses a godly jealousy for the Corinthian believers, whom he has betrothed to Christ with the expectation of presenting them as pure and undefiled. This imagery of betrothal draws on Jewish and Greco-Roman customs, where a betrothal was a binding agreement. Paul is emphasizing the sanctity and seriousness of their commitment to Christ, echoing Old Testament portrayals of Israel as God’s bride.

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. (2 Corinthians 11:2)

Paul’s concern is that, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent, the Corinthians might be led astray by false teachings that distort the simple and pure devotion to Christ. This illustrates Paul’s protective pastoral zeal.

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3)

He laments that they are too readily putting up with another Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel, actions he finds both alarming and disappointing.

For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:4)

This observation leads us to Paul’s deeper concern: the threat of false apostles misleading the community.

Paul’s Reluctance to Boast (Verses 5-21)

Paul then reluctantly compares himself to the so-called “super-apostles,” a facetious term likely referring to the false teachers who presented themselves as superior in their spiritual authority and eloquence.

I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” (2 Corinthians 11:5)

He defends his rhetorical style, acknowledging that he may be unskilled in speaking but not in knowledge. This reinforces that his apostolic authority and knowledge of Christ come from divine revelation and not from human eloquence.

I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. (2 Corinthians 11:6)

Paul also brings up his refusal to accept financial support from the Corinthians, which could have been a contentious issue. His choice to work and support himself was meant to distinguish himself from the false apostles who sought financial gain. Paul emphasizes that his refusal was not an indictment of their generosity but meant to avoid burdening them and to prove his sincerity.

Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. (2 Corinthians 11:7-8)

His commitment to self-support and the sacrifices he made underscore his love and dedication to the Corinthians, rooted in the desire to present the gospel without hindrance.

And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! (2 Corinthians 11:11)

The True Nature of the False Apostles (Verses 12-15)

Paul condemns the false apostles, accusing them of masquerading as apostles of Christ. He draws a stark contrast between their deceitful behavior and the integrity expected of a true apostle. Paul uses strong language to expose their nature and motives.

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)

This analogy to Satan underscores the severity of their deception and the danger they pose to the true gospel. It’s a call for discernment among the believers to recognize and reject falsehood.

It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (2 Corinthians 11:15)

Paul’s Boasts of Suffering for Christ (Verses 16-33)

Here, Paul engages in what he terms “foolish” boasting, contrasting his sufferings, weaknesses, and hardships with the triumphalistic claims of the false apostles. He does this to demonstrate the profound cost of true apostleship and to validate his authenticity as an apostle of Christ.

I repeat, let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. (2 Corinthians 11:16)

He recounts his Hebrew heritage, his service of Christ that surpasses that of his opponents, and the multitude of sufferings he has endured:

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. (2 Corinthians 11:22-23)

Paul lists his suffering in detail: labors, imprisonments, beatings, near-death experiences, being shipwrecked, facing dangers from various sources, hunger, thirst, cold, and nakedness. These trials were not endured for worldly gain but for the sake of the gospel and the love of Christ.

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea… (2 Corinthians 11:24-25)

This extensive litany of sufferings concludes with Paul referencing his anxiety for all the churches, highlighting both external threats and internal pressures he faced as an apostle. His shepherd’s heart is evident here, showing his deep care for the spiritual wellbeing of the communities he served.

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2 Corinthians 11:28-29)

Paul does not glory in his triumphs but in his weaknesses and suffering, illustrating that true apostolic authority is found in humility, sacrifice, and reliance on God’s strength.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. (2 Corinthians 11:30)

Conclusion

2 Corinthians Chapter 11 is a profound and deeply emotional chapter. Paul’s passionate defense of his apostleship is not merely about vindicating himself but about safeguarding the integrity of the gospel and the spiritual wellbeing of the Corinthians. His repeated refrain of boasting in weakness stands in sharp contrast to the false apostles’ boastful claims of superiority, offering a countercultural perspective on Christian leadership and authority.

Through this chapter, Paul teaches that true apostleship is marked by suffering, sacrifice, and selflessness. It involves a deep, pastoral care for the community and a willingness to endure hardships for the sake of Christ. For modern readers, this serves as a powerful reminder of the essence of Christian service and the need for discernment in the face of false teachings.

Ultimately, Paul’s message underscores the purity and simplicity of devotion to Christ as the foundation of faith. His godly jealousy and fierce protection of the Corinthians call believers of all times to hold firmly to the truth of the gospel and to recognize the true marks of Christ’s servants – humility, perseverance, and unwavering love for the community of faith.