2 Cor 11:22-33 • From Accusation to Affection Pt. 5

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

In Chps.10-13: Paul deals those who brought accusations against him because of his 1st letter that exposed their sins...

So far we’ve looked 3 accusations:

1. His Motive: you’re in the flesh...

2. His Authority: who do you think you are...

3. His Love: the thought was, Paul you don’t love us... you don’t care for us... or you wouldn’t write about us...

We saw that Paul answered this charge by comparing his love for them... to a father’s love for his children...

Point: If a father Loves his children he warns them... disciplines them... corrects them... because he does Loves them...

Paul dealt with 2 aspects of his Love:

1. Paul’s Jealous for the Church Vs. 1-4

2. Paul’s Service to the Church Vs. 5-11

3. Paul’s Warning to the Church Vs. 12-15

4. Paul’s boasting and the Church Vs. 16-21

2. Current Study’s Overview

This brings us to vs.22 where Paul continues to… Read…

As you can see in our quick reading of today’s scripture

The 5th way Paul proves to the church he loves the church is through Paul’s Suffering Vs. 22-33

Paul talks about the great Sacrifices he made while he served the churches and as a result he suffered many different ways… Why? because of the great Love he had for the church

If you are taking notes today we are going to look at 5 things today:

1. The Identification for Paul’s Suffering Vs. 22-23a

2. The Summarization of Paul’s Suffering Vs. 24-28

3. The Connection to Paul’s Suffering Vs. 29

4. The Exaltation of Paul’s Suffering Vs. 30-33

1. The Identification of Paul’s Suffering Vs. 22-23a

here Paul identifies himself with these false apostles in 3 ways:

1. Religiously: Hebrews...

2. Nationally: Israelites...

3. Physically: Seed of Abraham...

Paul is equal to the false apostles in every way, vs.5 I’m not inferior to the most eminent apostles…

2 Corinthians 11:5 NKJV

5 For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.

But there was one huge difference... Because of Paul’s service to them he sacrificed everything for them because he loved them…

APPLICATION: And you know in a general sense we’re all equal...

Galatians 3:28 NKJV

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

But hopefully others will see a difference in us because of the sacrifice we make because of the love we have.

Paul is a Minister of Christ... in vs.13 Paul made it very clear they were not ministers of Christ...

2 Corinthians 11:13 NKJV

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

Paul is saying, I’m a true Minister of Christ & the Sacrifices I made for you Prove it…

2. The Summarization of Paul’s Suffering Vs. 23b

2.1 The Four Types of Sufferings Vs. 23b

Labors: labors more abundant… Paul didn’t slack off or rip them off… vs.9 I was a burden to no one.

Acts 20:34 NKJV

34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.

Attacks: stripes above measure... speak of beatings whether by the Jews or Romans...

Incarcerations: prisons more frequently, the 1st question Paul would ask in a new city was, how are the jails

Deaths: deaths often, Paul was constantly in danger of dying… Acts 9, 13, 14...

2.2 The Details of Paul’s Suffering Vs. 24-28

Vs. 24 - Jews: Deut.25:3 only 40 lashes / whip… 40 is # of Judgment. 39 is # of Mercy...

Vs. 25a - Romans: They beat with rods or canes… but they had no such custom of 40 lashes..

Vs. 25b - Stoned: with rocks... this was in Lystra, Acts 14:19...

Vs. 25c - Shipwrecked: these 3 times are not in Acts. The one in Acts 27: has not yet happened...

Vs. 26-27 - Various Perils: Rivers, Cities, Wilderness, Sea...

Vs. 28 - Besides all this other stuff I deal with on a daily basis…

Paul, you don’t love us… oh really... the sacrifices I made for you prove it…

We can never really know how much our parents love us & sacrifice for us until we become one...

But as parents we can now understand a little more about the Great Sacrifice Jesus made for us...

APPLICATION: Paul lists his sufferings not as a badge of honor for himself, but as evidence of his unwavering commitment to the Gospel and to the people he serves.

The core message here is not just about enduring suffering but about why we endure it. Paul’s sacrifices was made out of love for God and His church.

This teaches us that true service to God is not measured by the extent of our sacrifices but by the love that motivates them.

We should take this message into our daily lives. Because serving God might mean stepping into uncomfortable situations for the sake of others, sacrificing our time and resources, or enduring hardship without losing faith.

But remember, it's not the suffering that defines our service—it's the love behind it. Just as Paul was driven by his love for God and the church, our actions too should be motivated by genuine love and dedication.

APPLICATION: I encourage each of us to reflect on our service to God and others. Are we motivated by love?

Are we willing to endure discomfort for the sake of the Gospel?

Let Paul's life inspire us to serve with a heart full of love, knowing that our sacrifices, big or small, are a testament to our devotion to God and His people.

3. The Connection to Paul’s Suffering Vs. 29

I’m just as weak as you are... & God knows I’m not lying…

Because when these false apostles stumble you or take advantage of you... I’m so grieved that I burn with Indignation toward those who wronged you…

When you suffer I suffer…. When you Hurt I hurt… like any loving father would...

Romans 12:15 NKJV

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Here Paul's showcases his deep empathy and shared vulnerability with the believers.

He doesn't position himself as a distant, unaffected leader but as one who intimately shares in the struggles and weaknesses of those he serves.

This sense of shared experience and mutual vulnerability is foundational for authentic Christian community and leadership.

ILLUSTRATION: Talk about how I myself deal with the same struggles as you the audience.

I too doubt…

I too struggle with anxiety…

I too have the flesh to deal wit…

APPLICATION: And even better God relates to our suffering…

Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

And notice at the end of Vs. 29 Paul says…

Reflects his deep concern and passionate response to anything that could harm the spiritual well-being of the believers.

This burning with indignation is not a reflection of personal anger or resentment but rather an expression of his zealous care for the church's purity and faithfulness to the Gospel.

Paul's reaction is rooted in his apostolic responsibility to safeguard the believers from false teachings, temptations, and practices that could lead them away from their faith in Christ.

4. The Exaltation of Paul’s Suffering Vs. 30-33

4.1 Paul Boasts in his Infirmities Vs. 30

It’s foolish to boast in anything but our weakness. Gal.6:14 God forbid that I should boast in anything but the cross

Galatians 6:14 NKJV

14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Romans 7:18 NKJV

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

4.2 Paul’s Example of Boasting Vs. 31-33

In Acts 9:23-25 we have the story of this event... as the Jews came against Paul but he escaped...

Acts 9:23–24 NKJV

23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.

Acts 9:25 NKJV

25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

Here we have Paul’s Humility on full display. Paul’s humility is seen in the fact that he admitted this event actually happened...

The false apostles would never admit to something like that...

APPLICATION: Hopefully as we Humble ourselves before others they will see the Love we have for them...

ENDING……