Paul and the Corinthians

Intro:

TS: Paul asks them to allow him a little foolishness. What foolishness? Paul had just pointed out the folly of self-commendation (10:18) and now he asks them to to remind them of his credentials.

I. PAUL’S JEALOUSY OVER THE CHURCH (2 Corinthians 11:1–2)

2 Corinthians 11:1–2 ESV

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

A. It is a godly jealousy (11:1–2a).

B. It is a goal-oriented jealousy (11:2b): He desires to present the church as a pure virgin bride to Christ.

II. PAUL’S CONCERN REGARDING THE CHURCH (2 Corinthians 11:3–4 )

2 Corinthians 11:3–4 ESV

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. 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.

A. What he fears (11:3):

He is concerned lest Satan deceive the Corinthian church as he once deceived Eve.

He was zealous for their spiritual growth

He feared that they would be lead astray

Paul had zeal for their spiritual purity: a godly jealousy

God is jealous with godly jealousy

Exodus 20:5 ESV

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,

God does not share His glory!

Paul was zealous that the Corinthians grow and glorify God

B. Why he fears (11:4)

They are so gullible, ready to believe anything they hear about Jesus and the gospel.

They were much like the culture around them.

They loved to think and debate over ideas.

When Judiazers came along, they were quick to start embracing false teachers.

False apostles were coming into churches and perverting the gospel.

They taught false gospels

Preached false Christ’s

Taught false morality

They broke from the teaching of the Jerusalem council

The apostles had decided and announced that one did NOT become circumcised to be saved

The Corinthians had fallen sway to this false teaching.

We must be concerned with our brothers and sisters like Paul was

We must be zealous for the purity and growth of our members

We must guard each other from falsehood

III. PAUL’S SERVICE TO THE CHURCH (2 Corinthians 11:5–12)

2 Corinthians 11:5–12 ESV

Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 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. 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? I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 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. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 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.

A. He is not a “super” apostle, but knows what he is talking about (11:5–6).

Paul wasn’t one of the original 12

That didn’t make him inferior nor did it lesson the truth he taught.

1 Corinthians 15:7–9 ESV

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

HE proclaimed Christ just as they had.

Paul possible was being sarcastic and referring to the false apostles as “super apostles”

B. He “robbed” other churches, receiving their support so he could minister in Corinth at no cost (11:7–8).

Paul had been sent by other churches

They had contributed to him from their resources

Corinth had Paul’s attention and not the other churches.

They had received it freely

C. He earned his own keep, receiving nothing from the Corinthians when he ministered there (11:9–12).

Paul had not followed the wordly example

Philosophers charged fees and measured their worth by the fee they could get

Paul supported himself (tentmaker) and had received support from others.

Paul didn’t have classical Greek rhetorical training

His education had been in the word of God

He proclaimed truth, not empty philosophies.

IV. PAUL’S WARNING TO THE CHURCH (2 Corinthians 11:13–15):

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 ESV

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Paul describes their enemies—namely, the Judaizers.

A. What they are able to do (11:13):

The Judaizers deceive the church into accepting them as true apostles of Christ.

They seemed good, but were wicked

They looked the part

There were polished

But they spread lies

We face the same today

Christians “books” music and movies

not all are Biblical based.

IL: I shared in Facebook this week

A best selling book on prayer includes a prayer where the author prays for GOD to cause her to hate people of a different race! That type of prejudice and racism is sin! Yet it is a best seller!

B. How they are able to do it (11:14–15)

1. The root of this ability (11:14):

Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Satan’s ministers, demons, philosopyies, etc do the same

2. The fruit of this ability (11:15):

Satan is then able to transform his followers in similar fashion

LIke Paul, we must stay on guard against false teachers and teaching.

Become students of the Word of God

Be like the Bereans:

People in Berea heard the gospel and then they searched the Scripture to see if it was accurate

Judge (discernment not condemnation) everything the same way

New book: go to the word, the only sure book

New song: check its theology with the Bible

New Church: do they preach the word and a pure gospel!