2 Corinthians 11:16-31

Go to any ministry or church web page to find out information about some pastor or ministry leader.  You will almost always be presented with a list of degrees they have received, another list of books they have written, and another list of their significant accomplishments.  In the case of the apostle Paul these kinds of “ministry credentials” were part of his life before Christ and he considered them rubbish (Phil. 3:3-7).  

Yet Paul still needed to state his credentials for the church at Corinth.  He is reluctant (v16-17), concerned that he might come across as proud.  Thus, in a sense, to protect the Lord, he speaks not according to the Lord’s revelation but according to the foolishness of outward appearance as others are doing (v18).  The Corinthians were falling for the boastings of these false apostles, even though the effect of it all was harmful.

Thus Paul engages in the foolishness of boasting.  But his list of ministry credentials is vastly different than those who oppose him.  Rather than listing great accomplishments Paul describes his weaknesses.  Like Christ, whose death at the hands of sinful men led to His powerful resurrection, so Paul describes situations in his ministry where he was under the sentence of death so to speak.  Thus his boasting is actually boasting in the Lord who gave him the strength.

Paul’s listing of credentials is first very general (11:22-31), and then speaks of three more specific situations (11:32-12:10).  While the list is understandable, note the following:

·        v22 speaks of his background by birth.

·        v23 includes near death situations.

·        v24 refers to a tradition among the Jews that 40 stripes was too shameful.

·        v25 speaks of shipwrecks.  The shipwreck of Acts 26-28 was still future.

·        v26 contains the most uses of a single Greek term in one Bible verse.

·        v26 includes Gentile persecution as well as that by a false brother.

·        v28 reflects Paul’s constant travelling, teaching, reproving, encouraging and praying for the churches.

·        v29-31 contains 2 great truths that are at the base of Paul’s words here …

o   He boasted in his infirmities or weaknesses, thus identifying with the Lord Jesus and His cross (2 Cor. 13:4; Gal. 6:14).

o   He trusted God to confirm all that he had said.

Let us not allow life situations that leave us weak to hinder our ministry.  Rather, like Paul, may they be the platform from which we render faithful service to Christ and thus bring praise to God.   

Remember:

Þ   Our weaknesses give us greater compassion for others (2 Cor. 1:3ff).

Þ   Our weaknesses give us a deeper likeness to Christ (2 Cor. 4:17-18).

Þ   Our weaknesses increase our faith in God (2 Cor. 1:9).

2 Corinthians 11:5-15

It may seem strange to some that in Paul’s day there were people he calls the most eminent apostles (11:5; 12:11) who were in fact false apostles (11:13).  This ought not to be considered strange as it is no less true today.  There have always been those who claim to speak for God who are in fact Satanic deceivers.

This passage tells us some things about Paul while at the same time revealing the truth about those who opposed his ministry and those who continue to deceive today.  Paul was considered inferior because …

Þ   v6: he wasn’t a trained speaker.

Þ   v7: he had not taken an offering from them for his support, thus indicating perhaps that his ministry lacked significance.

Þ   v11: he didn’t seem to love the Corinthians.

In fact none of this was valid.  While not as skilled an orator Paul had come with the knowledge of God and had been completely open with them.  He had in fact lived on offerings from other churches rather than putting the burden on the Corinthians. That, among other things, was proof of his love for them.  He did not want money to interfere with their hearing and responding to the gospel.

What is interesting is to think about the ones Paul is apparently being compared with, the false apostles.  Apparently they were powerful orators, more entertaining to hear, telling more stories or the things that tickle people’s ears (2 Tim. 4:3).  Apparently the appeal for money was central to what they did.  Perhaps they poured a lot of money into the venues and meetings where they presented their deceptions.  We know their ministry involved selling the word of God for profit (2 Cor. 2:17).  Apparently they were great schmoozers, exhibiting love for others which was in fact just their means of winning others by cunning craftiness.  Since they lacked the power of Paul’s gospel they did these things to try to place themselves on the same level as Paul (v12).

The apostle makes clear what in fact is happening.  These are not apostles of Christ.  Rather they are false apostles, transforming themselves in their outward appearance, to look like apostles of Christ.  It is that transformation that links them to Satan who regularly transforms himself from the angel of darkness into the angel of light, making him the ultimate deceiver.

In the Scriptures believers are known by their love for each other.  Let us not confuse love with toleration of those who preach a false gospel.  Let us not confuse skillful speaking with truthful speaking.  Let us not confuse material wealth with the blessing of God.  Sincere love will lead us to Biblically examine those who claim to speak for God.  Sincere love will expose false apostles whose teachings leave their followers without Christ.  Remember: Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth (1 Cor. 13:6).

2 Corinthians 11:1-4

A valid servant of Christ is one who belongs to Christ (2 Cor. 10:7).  The same can be said of the Corinthian church.  Their loyalty to Christ is seen in whether they bear with Paul or in fact follow after those with a different Jesus.

There is a bit of sarcasm in the opening verse.  Many of the Corinthians were not sold out for the beloved apostle and could be said to only bear with Paul.  But his love for them was much stronger.  He says he is jealous for them.  This means he has a strong zeal for them and their establishment in Christ.  This is a godly jealousy because it has to do with the believer’s relationship with Christ.  The Church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22-33) and a bride is to have only one husband.  Paul is concerned that the Corinthians do not have that kind of a simplicity but have been deceived so as to follow others.  Consider the terms.

o   Deceived: Satan tricked Eve, something claimed by Eve (Gen. 3:13) and affirmed elsewhere (1 Tim. 2:14).  He told her a half-truth, which is of course a whole lie.  This is typical with Satan who is “the deceiver.” 

o   Craftiness: This refers to cunning or wisdom with a negative connotation.  This is how those who promote false teaching gain a following (Ep. 4:14).  

o   Minds corrupted: This is a strong word that indicates they are corrupt to the point of being destroyed.  Their minds were of no use; they could not think clearly according to Biblical principles.

In these ways Satan keeps the believer from a pure and simple devotion to Christ.  There are some illustrations alluded to in v4.

o   Another Jesus:  Some of the deceptive teaching presented a “Jesus” who was different than the one Paul had preached.  For example, cults will generally emphasize either the humanity or deity of Christ to the exclusion of the other.  Many have been tricked by these teachings.

o   Another Spirit:  The Holy Spirit is given to the believer to help and lead him day by day.  Perhaps some came, as today, offering a spirit of self-confidence or patriotic zeal or of fleshly effort. 

o   Another Gospel:  The good news is of One Person’s singular provision for men on the cross, a provision that is received by faith.  False gospels are not good news.  They call men to measure up to some law, to do more good works than bad or to be more religious.  False teachers always mix faith with works, leaving their followers deceived and spiritually dead.

It should be clear why Paul is so adamant that the Corinthians be loyal to him and his teaching.  It is because he speaks for Christ.  Paul had not come to attract a following for himself.  Rather he had betrothed (the Corinthians) to one husband that they might be a chaste virgin to Christ.  Christ’s bride (the Church) will be presented to Him at the great marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7).  Let us not be deceived lest we find ourselves missing on that day.