In The Word
Read: 2 Corinthians 11:1-21a
Paul Defends His Apostleship
11 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing 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. 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. 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. 5 For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. 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.
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? 8 I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; 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. 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 do not love you? God knows I do!
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. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
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. 17 What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. 19 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. 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. 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.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
It seems that, while Paul was writing this second letter to the Corinthians, people were approaching him and saying, “You won’t believe what they’re saying now about you in Corinth!” What began as an encouraging letter became a defending of one’s self against an onslaught of disinformation in chapters 10-13. In chapter 11, Paul was defending his message and his decision not to accept financial help from the Corinthians. Again, these agitators were attacking his speaking abilities and were claiming a greater knowledge of God’s plans and action (2 Corinthians 11:6). When it came to not seeking financial help from the Corinthians, his accusers said it was because Paul didn’t love them! Paul answered that if he would have taken funds from them, they would have used that against him also (2 Corinthians 11:12). It’s tough to have your integrity or ability attacked.
I once had a local pastor friend of mine confess how he had been hurt the previous Sunday when a very prominent family in his congregation informed him that it was their last service there. In his shock, he asked why they were leaving for this other church in the area. “He’s funny; you’re not funny,” he was told. Wow, if that’s important, Paul would have had a very small following. Today, many churches do not share the meat of the Word. They instead serve up a funny “how to” message that instructs on worldly wisdom instead of truth. We have chosen what makes us feel good, not what will help us grow. I promise those “feel good messages” won’t help when what you need is truth.