2 Corinthians 11:1-1 † Title Here

2 Corinthians 11:1–15 ESV

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. 7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

EXPOSITONAL SUMMARY

Paul begins this section of 2 Corinthians with an invitation to the Corinthians to “bear with me in a little foolishness.” (11:1). In the defense of his Apostolic ministry, Paul compares and contrasts his faithful gospel ministry with the false and deceitful “super-apostles.” He communicates his divine jealousy for the Corinthians (11:1), his fear that they will be led away from truth like Eve (11:3), and his frustration that they question the true gospel while putting up with all other kinds of false teaching (11:4). ‌

In verses 5-9, Paul compares himself to the so-called “super-apostles.” Paul reminds the Corinthians that he isn’t inferior to these false teachers. Though he might not have the same training in worldly rhetoric as some, he isn’t ignorant of the truth! (See 11:5-6). Paul reminds the Corinthians that he took nothing from them: he went out of his way to teach them the way of Jesus free of charge (11:7-9).

In the last part of this section (11:10-15), Paul continues to tell the Corinthians why he won’t stop “boasting.” Paul loves the Corinthians (11:11); he wants them to see that the false teacher’s ministries aren’t authentic (11:12-13) and that, like Satan himself, what looks appealing is deadly (11:14-15).

In the rest of chapter 11, we will see Paul continue to defend himself and entertain “foolishness” by reminding the Corinthians of his gospel ministry resume which is saturated with victory through suffering. Paul will explain why his confidence is in Christ alone, not his ability or strength.

INTRODUCTION

THE DANGER PAUL SEES

False gospels destroy the purity of the church. (V. 1-6)

False gospels serve Satan’s purposes. (V. 13-15)

THE SOLUTION PAUL PURSUES

True love drives honest “boasting.” (V. 10-11)

God’s truth will undermine false gospels. (V. 12)

CONCLUSION