Michael's Abbey Bible Study - 2 Corinthians Chapter 11

1 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. The Corinthians were easily swayed by arguments and statements that sounded good even if they were false or silly, just like people today. And they were overly concerned with style and presentation over substance, just like people today. Here Paul presents that man's wisdom is foolishness to God, and God's wisdom is foolishness to man.
The second part of this verse could be translated as just "but put up with me."
2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. The theme of Israel the bride and God the exclusive and only groom is a common theme in the Old Testament. In the New Testament Christ is the sole and exclusive husband to the church as bride. This is not a sentimental imagery, but an direct coronation to the necessity of an exclusive relationship between us and God. There is no room for another. God must be sovereign, with nothing else on the throne of our lives. Paul has made repeated reference to idolatry in 2 Corinthians, whether it is false gospels, a pagan give to get attitude on giving, or putting ourselves on the throne in our hearts. This is intolerable to God.
Paul is trying to be the matchmaker, but the bride is being unfaithful. This is a deal breaker in that society, and ought to be in ours.
3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. The Corinthians, just like people today, are being seduced by Satan and his minions. And just like with Eve, the seduction is false teaching presented by a smooth-talker. The gospel of Christ is not complicated. But smooth talkers falsely try to make it appear to be complicated, with their lies as the solution to the fake problem.
4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. This is the cornerstone verse of chapters 10-13. Paul is directly confronting the false or anti-apostles as presenting a false or anti-gospel. Keep this in mind as you read the rest of 2nd Corinthians.
There are several avenues of attack against the church and gospel specified:
Another Jesus - Either adding additional requirements Jesus didn't have, or taking away things Jesus did do or teach. The fake will say, "You're not being very Christ-like" when we are being exactly like Christ.
Another spirit - Teaching things about the Spirit that are not true, adding things that are not scriptural, or taking away from things the Spirit does do. This one is is the easiest to do by anti-apostles, and the most dangerous for them as it can easily stray into blasphemy against the Spirit which is the only unforgivable sin. (Why this is unforgivable is not explained in scripture. But that it so easily leads others into deception that puts their souls in jeopardy may be why. Being responsible for someone not being saved is a heinous crime.)
Another gospel - This is most prevalent one. The culture takes away from the gospel, watering it down. (For example, all religions really lead to God, despite them being mutually exclusive. Or people who do more good than bad go to heaven.) Anti-apostles add to it. (For example, salvation by works, everyone must get the same gift of the Spirit, obedience to these leaders is required, and on and on.)
These are all things false teachers distort.
Paul ends the verse with sarcasm: If you accept these falsehoods then you tolerate the false apostle well.
5 For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. The term "most eminent" is used ironically. The false apostles who came to Corinth were undoubtably claiming they represented the authority of the apostles in Jerusalem. However, Paul was the one who called out the wrong behavior and attitude of Peter, who was one of Christ's inner circle of three disciples. And Peter submitted to Paul's discipline. Additionally, Paul was the acknowledged "most eminent" apostle to the Gentiles, including by those in Jerusalem. And Peter himself writes that Paul is a bigger theological heavyweight than himself.
6 But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. This verse appears to begin with more sarcastic irony. He is not saying he is a untrained in public speaking, but is granting this for the sake of argument. His Pharisaical training as a young man would have centered around public speaking and memorization as written resources were scarce. (There were many Rabbis who were famous for having memorized the entire Old Testament.) The point is, even if it was true, it is unimportant. What is important is knowledge. Being considered a great speaker is meaningless, especially if that speech is empty. Joel Osteen is called a great speaker by many. But his speech is empty, the gospel is missing, and his sermons are what people want to hear, not the truth of scripture. Paul was clearly one of the most knowledgeable people regarding the Old Testament scriptures, a Pharisee of Pharisees, and of the gospel as well.
Paul was concerned about teaching the truth and not what people wanted to hear or an emotional appeal empty of actual knowledge.
7 ;Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? The sarcasm is even greater and even biting here. Working for free is not a sin in any sense or any part of the law. In fact, it is considered to be commendable and a blessing. One of the bogus arguments against Paul was that "real apostles" get paid for their teaching. By using the word hamartia, sin, Paul was illustrating how absurd this is.
The fallacy is that something that is free is worthless. By that argument, the greatest gift we have ever received is worthless, Christ's freely given sacrifice on the cross.
In historical context, while the apostles would accept payment from the church they were visiting to help cover their expenses while teaching there, this was almost always inadequate to meet their needs. They were also supported by other churches and patrons.
The historical record shows that Paul didn't accept payment from any church when he founded it. The process of establishing a church took many months, and as much as two years. Only after it was firmly established, Paul had left to found churches elsewhere, and he was on very good terms with that church would Paul accept support from them.
8 I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; The biting sarcasm continues. The word robbed is literally plundered or stripped, as in stripping the valuables off of a dead soldier on the field of battle.
Wages is not the best translation here. This was not earnings, but money to pay for living expenses while in Corinth. Opsonion specifically means a stipend for provisions. This was money for the support of a soldier while away, such as to buy food and lodging. This was not his wages. He was not expected to pay his own way to fulfill his assigned duty. In the U.S. military today we call this Per Diem.
9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so. In need here is specifically in lack, not having enough to meet my needs. The Macedonians had funded Paul's trip from them to Corinth, plus enough to get established. When things took a financial downturn in Paul's tent-making business, the Macedonians sent men with more money to support Paul. Paul went without rather than take anything from the Corinthians.
When one's business is selling something one is at the mercy of the marketplace. Tents were for traveling and lasted for some time. Also, they are not completely necessary. One can travel without a tent, although it is miserable when it rains. So it appears there weren't enough customers for a time making life hard for Paul.
Because the relationship between Paul and the Corinthian church is not what it should be Paul refuses to take anything from them.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. This is somewhat awkward in English. Essentially, Paul is saying that the churches of Achaia were founded by him, and it was his right to boast of their existence and accomplishments. And the interlopers trying to discredit and exclude Paul will not succeed.
11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! The suspicion in the minds of the Corinthians was that Paul did not love them. This may have been because he did not accept their financial support, or because of the false apostles, or both.
In essence, Paul is saying that the fact that I'm boasting of you is evidence that I do love you.
12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. Regardless of the criticism and suspicion, Paul is going to stick to not accepting support from the Corinthians. The reason being to cut off the false apostles from an opportunity to be even worse. These false apostles push their false gospel and falsely claim to be sent from Jerusalem. At this point they can only tear down Paul by using the argument that Paul isn't a real apostle because he doesn't accept apostolic support like they do. This is not entirely successful as an argument. But if Paul started to accept support then they could flip-flop and claim to be on the same level as Paul because they also accept this support. This would legitimize them and their false gospel.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. This is one of the easiest verses in Greek to translate accurately into English. Although deceitful workers would be more clearly put as workers of deceit. These are not Judiazers or the pagan religious trying to pull the Corinthians away. They are posing as what they are not.
14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. The name Satan comes from the Hebrew for the adversary. Angel of light refers to the allegory of darkness and light used throughout scripture, (see Colossians 1,) not that Satan was the most beautiful of the angels. Basically, this is saying that Satan disguises himself as an angel on God's side to deceive.
15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. This is a hit off the top-rope on the fake apostles. In a totally not-subtle but slightly backhanded way, Paul called them servants of Satan. They are servants of Satan disguising themselves as "servants of righteousness just like Satan does. This also calls them out as being unrighteous. And Paul finishes with a reminder that they will get what they deserve for these evil deeds.
This is the strongest language to virtually grab the Corinthians by the shirt.
16 Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little. Foolish or fools in koinonia Greek are not connected to being a jester, a clown, or even a dim-witted witted person. It has nothing to do with humor in Greek. Specifically, it is someone who has lost the ability to properly comprehend reality, of themselves and the world around them.
This verse is dripping with irony, mocking the claims of the fake apostles
17 What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. This is illustrating the absurdity of the fake apostles by being absurd himself. In essence, Paul is pointing out that the fake apostles are not speaking as Christ would, but in foolishness contrary to the gospel and boasts that are contrary to fact.
18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. The irony is piling on. The fake apostles are not boasting rightly, but in their own flesh. Implied is these boasts are lies. Clearly they are lies and easily seen to be so. They were trying to take credit for Paul's work.
19 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. The irony keeps getting bigger. The Corinthians ought to have been able to see this for themselves. Their own experience and personal eyewitness to the events starting with Paul's first founding of the church should have made it clear that anyone claiming something to the contrary is a liar.
20 For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. Here is the awful results of falling for the fake. The things they tolerate are horrible, each worse than the one before. They are being enslaved, devoured (implied as in taking everything they have), taken advantage of (implied as in rape), evil exalting itself, and getting hit in the face. While this is clearly meaning physical assault, this is also a metaphor for the gravest insult imaginable. What is informative is the order. The arrogant behavior of the fake apostles, lording it over the Corinthians is worse than enslavement and such.
In other words, the fake apostles are full of the greatest and undeserved pride, and the Corinthians have allowed themselves to be humiliated.
21 To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold - I speak in foolishness - I am just as bold myself. Again Paul strikes with ironic sarcasm. Compared to the over-the-top lies of the fake apostles, he and his team have been weak. Implied is that the reality and truth of Paul's accomplishments ought to be enough for the Corinthians. But they have fallen for an obviously false narrative.
The second half of the verse contrasts the boldness of liars to dare to make such obvious lies with the boldness of Paul to proclaim the truth, Christ and Him crucified, regardless of the incredible opposition he has faced. Implied is the difference between his conduct and theirs. It should be obvious who is walking in Christ's path and who is walking in Satan's.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. The fake apostles used four claims to superior status over the Corinthian church. The three in this verse are true about them. Paul rebuts them with the obvious fact that he is all those things, as should have been obvious to the Corinthians.
23 Are they servants of Christ? - I speak as if insane - I more so; With the last claim to superior status there is a difference. The statement of being out of his senses is to emphasize that this is the only one that matters. And that the fake apostles are fake servants of Christ. Their claims are empty. Paul is "more so" because his claim is real. What the fake claim by false words, Paul can claim by his actions, experiences, and his steadfast faith in the face of incredible opposition.
in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. The evidence of Paul's missionary journeys and the physical suffering was well known. In fact, it was one of the arguments by the false apostles as to why Paul wasn't a real apostle. But Paul flips their lame accusation around. Only a real servant of Christ would endure so much and still be true to Christ and the true gospel. So they are compiled here in order of peril.
In Greek Paul uses "40 less 1", which is 39. Deuteronomy 25:2-3 restricted the maximum to 40. The phrase "40 less 1" comes from the Mishna, Makkot 3:10. However, one could be flogged the "full forty". The 39 was so as not to exceed the 40 by a miscount. It is probable that Paul's 39 lashes was for being a false teacher of Israel, which is one of the reasons listed in the Makkot of the Mishna.
26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; These are more general dangers. All of them came to Paul as a direct result of his service to Christ.
27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. These are the deprivations he suffered that were the direct result of Paul's service.
This concludes the list of external trials and deprivations. The point of all this is to illustrate the real life of an apostle of Christ. The contrast with the boasting of the false apostles is stark. There is modern parallel that is exactly the same. It is the prosperity preachers who brag about their prosperity and teach a false gospel.
28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. This is the attitude of a true apostle. And it is of a true Christian as well. Just because a church is a church does not mean it is safe. Just because a church is following Christ well now does not mean it will not fall prey to falsehood later.
29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? Being weak is fault to the world and in the flesh. But it is to be boasted of as a humble Christian dependent on God. Paul explores this further in chapters 12 and 13.
Who is led into sin in the Greek is literally "who is made to stumble into sin."* My intense concern is literally "I burn." The NASB here is an accurate translation, but the literal is informative. Paul's concern is that great for the churches that they not be misled.
*There is a modern parallel that is exactly the same as the bad behavior of the fake apostles in Corinth, which is misusing this phrase "being made to stumble." It is one of the more misused phrases in the New Testament. A person who "claims" to be a Christian will jump on others to bully them into behaving the way the bully thinks is proper. The bully disapproves of a behavior. And the bully will claim others doing it will make the bully stumble. Horse-hockey! First, the behavior is not a sin or the bully would just say it's a sin. They may have a personal conviction not to do the behavior. But scripture is clear that trying to push that on others is the real sin here. Second, the concept of stumbling into sin in the New Testament is always from a place of ignorance. Only those that don't know any better can "stumble" into sin. If the bully can see that it could be a stumbling block for the ignorant or newbie, then they are in no danger of stumbling themselves. They are only trying to assert themselves for personal power and prestige. This is the exact behavior of the false apostles.
30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. In boasting of his weakness, Paul exhibits the proper attitude of a Christian, utter dependence on Christ.
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. This is a Greek solemn oath formula, like verse 10. However, this one has more weight invoking the Father and Son, and referring to God as the one blessed forever. This is a contrast to the false apostles who are the servants of Satan in verses 13-15.
32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, 33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands. The fact that Paul is even alive when the governor of Damascus was trying to capture him so the Jews of the city could kill him shows that Paul's weakness is proof of God's strength, and that God Himself protected Paul. What the world views as weakness is evidence of faith, and of God's power.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation.

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