Chap 11 & 12 _2Cor

Chap 11 Paul and the False Apostles

2 Corinthians 11:1–4 (HCSB)

OOOOOOOOOOO 11 I wish you would put up with a little foolishness from me. Yes, do put up with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, because I have promised you in marriage to one husband—to present a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a complete and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!

This is Paul’s last gasp against the rebellion that was taking place in the Corinthian church. Now he takes on a sarcastic tone. But is always a turning down the heat, the anger that Paul is feeling throughout this letter- even though he keeps trying to regains his patience.

But the attacks against him from Corinth ae personal- they mock his speech, his appearnace, his intentions, accuse him of duplicity, he using them to become famous, he robbing other churches to build this one- a 1st century ponzi scheme. They are but they are attacking him personally more than just his ideas. If they werr calling his messsage or ideas worthless, Paul would be arguing againstthose concepts, but he seems to defenc himsel and his ministry.

He then uses the analogy of a loving father [ he was the father of the Corinthian church] who has preparied his daughter in marriage to a specific [ one]. And to keep her pure.

But he has tried to keep her pure and ready, but she seems to be tuning away from her intended groom. The poison comes from not human error like forgetfullness, or ignorance, butr instead are an attack from Satan. Just as Eve we deceived so they are also. A deliberate attack on Paul and and the message he carries are coming from Satan’s effort. :The Coritnian churc has become a major target of the ongoing rebellion against God. Paul fears this- doesn’t know for sure what is going on. So often we are concerned and don’t know what is going on, but regardless of our feelings wer ar to continued on in our obligation to spread the truth.

.............4 For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly. He warns them about a new and improved saviour, or a different spiritual answer, or changed the gospel as preached. But he not only warns them, he says what you must not do is to condone these actions. In other words, don’t just sit and mentally or prayerfully reject, but you don’t permit them to come in, Don’t just avoid tempataions or deceptions, but banish them.

OOOOOOOOOOO 2 Corinthians 11:5–11 (HCSB) 5 Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the “super-apostles.” 6 Though untrained in public speaking, I am certainly not untrained in knowledge. Indeed, we have always made that clear to you in everything. 7 Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you. 9 When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do!

Paul continues in his self defence. He may not have the formal credentials, he did not fratduate from a highly accredited school of rhetoric, he is not formally trained in addressing large audience. IN those days traveling speakiers were a form of entertainment for the people.

However even without man’t preparation, he does posess knowledge. He knows what’s what! And he has made if clear and he came humbly; not a superstar, a master of pwerful words, and extruding high emotion from his audience. Nor was he lesser and unable to extract money from his audience. Or did he steal from others to come to them.He intended to not be a financial burden on them They of the richest cities in that area.

He is commmitted to carry on and boast about Christ. He does this not to alienate the Corinthians, but because he loves [agape] them

OOOOOOOOOOO2 Corinthians 11:12–15 (HCSB) 12 But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works. And I do this to exclude those false boasters who say they are our equal in the truth. Don’t even give them the chance to dissuade you. They aere deceivers, they were the disguise of righeousness. if satan is a charlatan and claims to be an angel of light so it’s not a bidg deal or don’t be surprised is his servants also claim the same. They wiilll be judged eventually and get the just reward.

Oul is not a “maybe” man, perhaps they [deceivers] mean well, lets’ let them in and they will see the error of their ways -NO Paul says outright reject them- don’t allow them to get a foothold.

A effective liar must recognize the truth in order to subvert it. A counterfitter has to know what a dollr bill looks like it in ordre to deceive somethon. So in the same wasy are these false teachers and preachers.

Paul’s Sufferings for Christ

OOOOOOOOOOO 2 Corinthians 11:15–27 (HCSB) 16 I repeat: No one should consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool, so I too may boast a little. 17 What I say in this matter of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but foolishly. 18 Since many boast in an unspiritual way, I will also boast. 19 For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools! 20 In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone captures you, if someone dominates you, or if someone hits you in the face. 21 I say this to our shame: We have been weak.

But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare:

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ?

I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times. 24 Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people,

dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers;

27 labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing.

ok if you want to regard me as being unreasonable like the world then ok I will boast about me as in worldsy eyes [ not as god would look at me . You want my worldy sacrifices, my worlds credentials, and he listw swho he is.

My suffereings

]....v 24:.Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. Deuteronomy 25:2–3 (HCSB) 2 If the guilty party deserves to be flogged, the judge will make him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes appropriate for his crime. 3 He may be flogged with 40 lashes, but no more..... In the mishna an authoritative collection of exegetical material embodying the oral tradition of Jewish law and forming the first part of the Talmud.= means instruction- take a strap of cowhide and double it and then refold, plus two other strips it so that the length would reach the navel if being struck over the shoulder. Persons cloak would be ripped so top part of body was bare. Struck with the full might of one hand - They usually only struck 39 lashes so as never to exceed 40 [called 40 lash less one]. Over 40 could easily lead to death. If the person died by the whipper, the whipper was not culpable, but if he struck even one over 4- he could be exciled. Person was supposed to be bending over for the stripes to fall on stretched skin. 2/3 on the back and 1/3 on the front. Note how this is much kinder than the Roman approach which had bone and pieces of metal braided into the whip.

V 25: Three times I was beaten with rods - the “lictors” attendants of the magistrate bea them with birch wood [Birch is a hardwood h. And even though it is a relative to the oak, the lumber is much harder than oak.]

Paul was surrounde or in the midst of danger everywhere Gentiles, jews, robbers, false teachers, rivers, sea, etc.

Travel by sea was very dangerous as also by land. Often to avoid robbers would await a Roman convoy or cohort

Also he was affected by hardship cold, hunger, lack of clothes, thirst. lack of sleep

How does that compare to what thes false prophets go through. Seems like Paul traveled with just a few companions and not with a convoy of other traveleres

Again with the sarcasm- you seem to like things - if you consider me from me as a fool then I will brag about those things that you seem ot hold hin hiahg regard.

OOOOOOOOOOO 2 Corinthians 11:28–33 (HCSB) 28 Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is praised forever, knows I am not lying. 32 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me, 33 so I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.

After listing all the lack of safety and pain to his physical body, he goes into the mental angusish he suffers from what he receives and concern he has and stress from his churches. God knows that this feeling is real. He tacks on at the end that he had to even escape from King Aretas.

Chap 12

OOOOOOOOOOO 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 (HCSB) 12 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows. 3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak. 5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses. 6 For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Now he reveals something supernatural And he speaks about it in a 3rd person, almost detached manner.

Paul mentiaons 3rd heaven and liks it with paradise. Paradise is rooted in the Persian understanding meaning “garden” could this be likening it to Eden? But the word for heaven is plural ant this led to speculation of their being different degrees or levels 3 to 7. Ancient cosmology pictured three, five, seven, ten and various numbers of heavens, though three was a commonly accepted number But there are not hard barriers one to anouther. No one agrees and there is extra-biblical in the book of Enoch, But again no conesensu s opf what levels in heaven means. Some say on ly God and spirits in 3 rd level, some say cetain ihnabitants like Isacc, Abraham, etc There are many versions of what this means. Both Islam and Mormons s speak about itThen at the end he says that this was not something heard, but occurred to him. Luke 23:41–43 (HCSB) 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

....He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak Paul didn’t know if he was in or out of body, but he heard words that were beyond words ‘inexplicable” and words that are forbidden to speak to men

After all the atrials, successess, fears, this is the last explanation of who he is. But it is so great that he’s not sure of his state during the vision, words that he can’t explain and words that must not be spoke to others. The greatest of the proofs and affirmations from God are not clear and can’t be explained to anyone else. But it greatly moved him. This may have been in the spriritual impact as greates touch of God since the road to Damascus.

But he is not a fool. OT says that a fool is one who does not know God. Paul was in the heavenly presense.

this experience was so powerful and so uniquely his own- none of the prophets had such an experience. That to prevent spriitual arrogance he was given a thorn in the flesh which God refused to removee

V 6.....But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me,

Many opinions of the thorn = fain, fatigue from accusers, Judaizers who nagged at him, could have been a person [messeger of Satan] that follwed after him dirsupting and trying to damage the churchhis unhandsome face,. But since it mentions in the flesh it could be sa physical ailment [ , some say epilecy, but I thinnk possibly severe migraines could be the one. Whatever, it was painful, bothering and God said that His grace was pull him through. and that His power is completed through weakness so that none could boast in him in their own flesh.

So Pau;l says despite his weaknesses, his trials, his calamities that he is strong through Christ even though weak in his own flesh.

Signs of an Apostle

OOOOOOOOOOO 2 Corinthians 12:11–13 (HCSB) 11 I have become a fool; you forced it on me. I should have been endorsed by you, since I am not in any way inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of an apostle were performed with great endurance among you—not only signs but also wonders and miracles. 13 So in what way were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

aAgain the sarcasm. You forced me to reason as a fool of the world. Whebn we were swith you we performed signes and wonders. proof of who we are, You should have endorsed me since I am definately not any lower than your “super apostles” So were you treated any worse than other churchs except I didn’t depend on you. I am so sorry !! This is unusual in that Corith was probably on e of the wealthest sor citied aht he had been to. and yet this is the only one that he didn’t ask for financial help.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

OOOOOOOOOOO 2 Corinthians 12:14–18 (HCSB) 14 Now I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 Now granted, I have not burdened you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit! 17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone I sent you? 18 I urged Titus to come, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit and in the same footsteps?

OOOOOOOOOOO 2 Corinthians 12:19–21 (HCSB)19 You have thought all along that we were defending ourselves to you. No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and I may not be found by you to be what you want; there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come my God will again humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented of the moral impurity, sexual immorality, and promiscuity they practiced.

Chap 13

OOOOOOOOOOO2 Corinthians 13:1–10 (HCSB)

Final Warnings and Exhortations

13 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 2 I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, 3 since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you. 4 In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God’s power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God’s power.

5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test. 6 And I hope you will recognize that we do not fail the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong—not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail. 8 For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature. 10 This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

OOOOOOOOOOO2 Corinthians 13:11–13 (HCSB) 11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.