Paul feels a fierce protectiveness for the Christians in Corinth. He likens them to a cherished betrothed bride. He sees himself as her devoted father. The false apostles, like cunning vultures, are scheming to lure the Corinthians away from their sacred commitment to Christ. As their spiritual father, Paul passionately strives to shield the Corinthians from the abyss of sin. These deceptive apostles preach a twisted version of Jesus. They introduce a foreign spirit and an entirely different gospel. Each one is a dangerous lie that must be confronted!
11 I wish you would put up with a little foolishness from me. Yes, do put up with me! 2 For I am jealous for 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 sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:1-2
Bear with me in a little foolishness
In the latter part of chapter 10, Paul fervently addresses the folly of boasting and self-commendation. Typically, heralding oneself is fraught with peril; too often, such actions are born from the poison of pride. Paul asserted passionately that affirming his apostolic credentials was essential. This affirmation bolstered the very credibility of the gospel message he so fervently preached. The “foolishness” he referred to was indeed his own self-commendation, an act that appeared paradoxical as he condemned boasting. We must remember, however, that the heart holds supreme importance. Ultimately, Paul’s motives were undeniably pure and driven by a deep desire to honor the truth.
Divine jealousy
Is jealousy good or bad? Why?
Like boasting, jealousy undeniably carries a heavy weight of negativity. Yet, it pulses with an intense energy, revealing our deep-seated desires and insecurities. We often find ourselves consumed by envy. We long for the treasures others possess. This could be their luxurious possessions, their dazzling achievements, or even the affection of their beloved.
James describes this jealousy.
14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
James 3:14-15
Worldly jealousy is not just “bitter” and “selfish”; it’s a toxic force that consumes the soul! It often festers from sinful comparisons (2 Corinthians 10:12), spiraling into something dangerous. James goes so far as to label it “demonic,” and rightly so! This destructive emotion drives people to lie, cheat, steal, commit adultery, and even murder. In essence, sinful jealousy is a fierce and misguided craving for what isn’t yours. Yet, in stark contrast, there exists a “divine” or “righteous” jealousy — a purity of intent that is entirely justified. Countless verses declare God Himself as fiercely jealous for His people! He feels this righteous jealousy when His people turn to serve idols, longing for their unwavering devotion. Why? When they dedicate their hearts to Him, it’s more than just a desire. It truly brings them the greatest fulfillment. It gives them joy!
Consider a married man in turmoil. If his wife strays, and he merely shrugs off the betrayal, how does that reflect on him? He simply says, “it doesn’t matter,” or “I don’t care.” His indifference reveals a heart devoid of conviction, which is its own kind of sin. A righteous man yearns for his wife’s fidelity. He knows that such loyalty is vital for their bond. It also honors God’s design for marriage. A man should feel fierce and protective jealousy. This emotion arises when his wife inappropriately shares herself with others. That sacred giving belongs solely to him. Likewise, a wife must embrace that same righteous jealousy toward her husband. True love demands a passionate guardianship of the sacred trust they share.
In a fervent manner, Paul was deeply jealous for the Corinthians. He longed for them to possess an unshakeable and vibrant relationship with God. Yet, the false teachers had cunningly inserted themselves into the fray. They aimed to seduce the Corinthians away. This violently tore them from their sacred union with Christ. Paul didn’t merely brush it off, exclaiming, “I don’t care.” No, he cared profoundly! It pained him grievously to witness them turning away from the Lord and embracing the empty allure of the world. His jealousy burned fiercely! And that passionate jealousy was driven by an overflowing heart of love.
Care! God wants us to have a zeal to see His people following after Him. When you care for people as deeply as Paul did, you will feel motivated to pray for them. You will share with them, encourage them, and even correct them when needed.
Paul then speaks about how these “super-apostles” attempted to deceive the Corinthians
Cross-Reference
- Exodus 34:14
- Deuteronomy 4:24
- Exodus 20:5
Reflective Questions
- What “foolishness” did Paul find it necessary to engage in?
- Why did he feel forced to keep establishing his credentials with the Corinthians?
- When is jealousy the the right behavior?
- Why did Paul feel jealous toward the Corinthians? And what action did this spark?
3 But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a sincere 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!
5 Now I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6 Even if I am untrained in public speaking, I am certainly not untrained in knowledge. Indeed, we have in every way made that clear to you in everything.
2 Corinthians 11:3-6
Paul’s heart throbbed with concern that they might fall prey to deception. Once more, we catch a glimpse of his deep passion! He fervently longed to see them flourish. A restless worry haunted him. He feared that cunning deceivers would lead their thoughts down the wrong path.
Cunning deceptions
Witness the relentless strategies employed by the adversary! He wields “cunning” like a master swordsman. Each attack, temptation, and false teaching is intricately crafted, aimed with precision to bypass defenses and expose vulnerabilities. Imagine a sagacious general leading his troops to encircle a looming fortress; he begins by undertaking meticulous reconnaissance. With a heart aflame with evil determination, he devises an ingenious battle plan. It may involve the art of tunneling, captivating decoys, a stealthy onslaught, clever camouflage, or countless other inventive tactics. Every approach is a calculated brilliance, meticulously forged to breach the enemy’s stronghold!
Satan is cunning. His attacks are well-refined over millennia of trial, error, and adjustment. How can you build up better defenses to make sure that you aren’t swayed by deceptions?
Another Jesus, a different gospel…
Paul’s heartache ran deep. He watched the Corinthians readily embrace teachings. These teachings shamelessly contradicted the very essence of what they had once held dear. When you encounter a doctrine that feels foreign or unsettling, what should your response be? Undoubtedly, there is only one Jesus, one gospel, one undeniable truth. Yet, lurking in the shadows are countless lies ready to ensnare the unsuspecting. Just as authentic currency is uniform, the world is flooded with a myriad of deceitful counterfeits. As you connect more intimately with the truth, your discernment sharpens. It allows you to see through the veil of deception with clarity and conviction.
Believers must immerse themselves in the profound truths of God’s Word. They should not be distracted by the myriad of cults that exist in this world. Delving into the Bible is not a task to be completed in a day; it demands unwavering time and dedication. This journey is a long-term commitment that requires heartfelt perseverance. Continue reading and studying with fervor! With each passing moment, your spiritual defenses will become more robust. They will become resilient. This will empower you to stand firm in your faith.
Super-apostles
Paul daringly criticizes these deceitful teachers by dubbing them “super-apostles.” Listening to their grandiose claims, one might be fooled into believing they were indeed super-apostles. Masterfully adept at self-praise, their inflated self-image knew no bounds. Yet, Paul was not deceived by their pretentious rhetoric. He boldly declared that he was not “inferior” to them in any way. While they may have excelled in delivering smooth and captivating speeches (after all, don’t false teachers always possess such talent?), in the crucial matters of faith, he stood taller than them. He was a genuine apostle, while they were nothing but imposters.
Cross Reference
- Psalm 101:7.
- Romans 16:18
- 2 Timothy 3:13 .
Reflective Questions
- What concern did Paul have for the Corinthians?
- What methods do enemies of Christ use to mislead His people?
- How can believers protect themselves from deception?
- How did the Corinthians react to the false teaching? How should they have reacted?
- Who are the “super-apostles” Paul mentions? Why does he call them this?
- What do we learn from verse 6 about what is really important to look for in a Bible teacher or pastor?
- What kind of things do many focus on in regards to speakers?
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, since 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!
12 But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny an opportunity to those who want to be regarded as our equals in what they boast about.
2 Cornthians 11:7-12
Paul’s ministry method toward the Corinthians
Here, Paul passionately defends himself against the relentless attacks of the false teachers. He fervently reminds the Corinthians that he proclaimed the gospel to them “free of charge.” Paul refused any financial support from the church at Corinth. Instead, he “robbed other churches…in order to serve” them. The strength of his words is striking. Let there be no doubt, Paul did not actually steal the money! These churches gave willingly from their generous hearts. This hyperbole serves to emphasize his message in a memorable way that would resonate with them. Paul did indeed accept funds from other churches. He used these funds to sustain himself while passionately preaching to the Corinthians. He fervently did not want to “burden anyone.”
Why did Paul do this and what can we learn from it?
Different people (and churches) find themselves on unique journeys, each at their own pivotal stage. The Corinthian church, oh how they struggled in their immaturity, easily swayed by the seductive whispers of false teaching! Devoted older siblings tirelessly sacrifice for their younger ones. In the same way, the more mature churches rallied to uplift the beleaguered Corinthian community. Paul, with unwavering determination, went above and beyond, fiercely committing to maintain an unblemished conscience toward the Corinthians. With palpable intensity, he rejected the baseless attacks from the false teachers, resolutely wanting to make his innocence irrefutably clear!
Believers find themselves in various stages of their journey with God. It is imperative that we approach this with compassion and understanding. As we grow in maturity, we inevitably take on greater responsibilities. It is our duty to treat our fellow believers through this lens of grace and empathy. Let us uplift one another, recognizing the unique paths we each walk!
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 surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
I think we should really read this scripture a few times. Paul is teaching us that satan and his servants are masters at deceit.
False apostles, deceitful workmen
Paul boldly identified these individuals for who they truly were. A shepherd doesn’t gaze upon a wolf lurking in the flock and naively exclaim, “Oh, look! There’s a soft, furry creature flexing his muscles among the sheep.” No! He exclaims, “A wolf is devouring a sheep!” Yet, in many churches, there exists an alarming tolerance for the poison of false teaching.
7 “As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me.
Ezekiel 33:7
The flock desperately needs vigilant watchmen! We must rise as watchmen, with our eyes wide open and our minds sharp and discerning. If false teachers dare to intrude, we must courageously call them out!
Satan disguises himself as an angel of light
Satan does not step into the church and boldly declare, “I am Satan. Worship me now.” Such a brazen approach would fall flat—no one would pay heed. Even the most hardened unbelievers would see through the ruse, recognizing that worshiping Satan leads nowhere but to destruction. But, oh, Satan’s methods are far more insidious! He weaves a web of subtlety, sneakiness, cunning, and deception. He pretends to be a friend. He entices you with the allure of his ideas. He convinces you that they are your ticket to glory and unshackled happiness. He craves to capture your heart. He makes you believe that he has your best interests at heart. In truth, he leads you down a path of darkness.
So he cunningly adapts his attacks to ensnare different targets! When he sets his sights on the church, one of his most sinister tactics is the art of camouflage. His deceitful servants seamlessly blend in, masquerading as devoted servants of God. They skillfully earn trust and seize opportunities, only to unleash their insidious teachings that mask themselves as benevolent. These falsehoods are enticing, dressed in the alluring language of tolerance, unity, freedom, and happiness. Grand promises are thrown around like confetti! At his core, he is the ultimate master salesman. Yet beneath the surface lies a dark truth. He and his duplicitous servants mercilessly peddle a blatant lie. Their “product” is nothing short of inferior.
At the very first temptation, Satan cunningly sought to persuade Eve that God was depriving her of something truly magnificent. He whispered that if she dared to seize the moment, she would uncover genuine fulfillment. She would ascend to be like God. It seemed enticing, almost poetic. Yet, beneath that allure lay a devastating deception! Satan approached her while masquerading as a beacon of light. It is then, in that deceptive guise, that his assaults have their most devastating impact.
How can we make sure we see through this rouse and see Satan and his promises for what they are?
His servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousness
Like father, like son! The spiritual offspring of Satan—those false teachers—mimic his treacherous ways. They masquerade as God’s servants, all the while driven by their own greedy desires (See 2 Peter 2:10-22). These deceivers will face judgment! It’s our sacred duty to shine a light on their hypocrisy and fiercely resist their corruption. What actions will you take this week? How will you empower yourself to stand against deception? How will you help others do the same?
Cross Reference
- Acts 18:1-3
- Philippians 4:19
Discussion Questions
- What was Paul’s ministry model like toward the Corinthians?
- Why did he emphasize that here?
- How can a Christian worker discern when to accept money and when not to?
- What principles may guide this decision?
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