II Corinthians 11 Commentary
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
This chapter of II Corinthians, chapter 11, follows Paul's passionate defense of his ministry in the previous chapter and serves as a critical turning point in his letter. Here, Paul reluctantly engages in what he considers "foolish boasting" to expose the deceptive tactics of false apostles who were leading the Corinthian church astray. He feels a deep, godly jealousy for the Corinthians, viewing them as a bride being seduced away from her pure devotion to Christ.
A Spiritual Father's Concern (II Corinthians 11:1-4)
Paul sees himself as a protective spiritual father, deeply concerned about the Corinthians' vulnerability to deception. He compares them to a betrothed virgin, and himself to her father, entrusted to present them pure to Christ (II Corinthians 11:2). The false apostles in Corinth were attempting to corrupt the Corinthians’ commitment to Christ with a false gospel, a different Jesus, and a different spirit (II Corinthians 11:4). This is reminiscent of the serpent's deception of Eve in the Garden of Eden (II Corinthians 11:3), where subtle lies led to devastating consequences. Paul fears that the Corinthians are being led astray from a pure devotion to Christ.
The Sting of "Super-Apostles" (II Corinthians 11:5-6)
The false teachers had promoted themselves as being superior to Paul, but he knew he was not inferior to these so-called super-apostles (II Corinthians 11:5). They accused him of being untrained in public speaking. Yet Paul knew that his knowledge of the true gospel and the content of his message were far more important that oratorical skill (II Corinthians 11:6). Paul wonders if the Corinthians were so easily swayed by these "super-apostles" because he refused to take money from them. He did this to avoid any accusation of ulterior motives in his service.
Sacrificial Service vs. Self-Seeking Gain (II Corinthians 11:7-12)
Paul always subordinated himself to the gospel. Instead of exalting himself and having the Corinthians pay for his services, he had received financial support from other churches and preached the gospel to them free of charge (II Corinthians 11:7-8). He describes this as having robbed believers from Macedonia (II Corinthians 11:8-9), meaning other Christians paid for his ministry when he could rightly have expected the Corinthians to support him themselves. But Paul hadn’t wanted to burden them and hinder the work of the gospel among them (II Corinthians 11:9). This kind of boasting Paul was willing to engage in—that is, boasting about how he had sacrificed for them and about his great love for them (II Corinthians 11:10-11). The false apostles wouldn’t boast in these kinds of humble attitudes and actions; thus, they were clearly not Paul’s equals (II Corinthians 11:12).
Exposing the Deceitful Workers (II Corinthians 11:13-15)
Paul pulls no punches, calling these opponents exactly what they were: false apostles and deceitful workers (II Corinthians 11:13). They are not true servants of Christ but imposters following the pattern of their master, Satan. Just as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light in order to deceive and corrupt, so these false teachers pretended to be servants of righteousness (II Corinthians 11:14-15). Paul promises that God will judge them according to their works (II Corinthians 11:15).
Don’t assume that Satan’s temptations and tactics will always be obvious. He’s a liar and deceiver, and he’s been plying his trade for millennia. He’s familiar with your weaknesses, just like a coach who studies the game films of his opponents in order to exploit theirs. The enemy knows how to make succumbing to his temptations appear like good and right things to do. So, what can you do? “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11), and “resist him, firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9).
A Fool's Errand? (II Corinthians 11:16-21)
Paul confesses to acting like a fool with his boasting because apparently that’s what some of the Corinthians were responding to from the false apostles (II Corinthians 11:16-18). They were willing to put up with those whom they considered “super-apostles” (II Corinthians 11:5), even if it meant they actually exploited and mistreated them (II Corinthians 11:20)! Paul sarcastically admits, We have been too weak for that! (II Corinthians 11:21). In other words, he says, “You’re right. They’re much better apostles than I. They take advantage of you and insult you. But me? All I do is sacrifice for you and love you!”
The Boast of Weakness (II Corinthians 11:22-29)
What did Paul boast in? First, he boasted in his Jewish credentials because apparently the false apostles had done the same (II Corinthians 11:22). But then his boasting takes a different turn. Though the false teachers exalted themselves, Paul bragged (like a madman, he says) of his labors . . . imprisonments . . . beatings . . . near death experiences (II Corinthians 11:23). Then he lists examples of all the trials and persecutions he endured throughout his missionary endeavors (II Corinthians 11:24-27). On top of these physical ordeals, he experienced the daily pressure of leading and ministering to struggling churches (II Corinthians 11:28). Even if he was physically separated from these churches, when he heard about their problems, Paul suffered right along with them because of his deep affection for them and for Christ (II Corinthians 11:29).
Paul’s point is this: suffering was not an indicator of his failure as an apostle; it was a sign of his superiority. His superior suffering on behalf of his Savior (who suffered!) demonstrated his superior service and commitment. To the Corinthians who valued strength, position, and privilege, this list would sound only like weakness and failure.
Humility in Escape (II Corinthians 11:30-33)
Since the Corinthians had put up with the boasting of the false apostles, Paul would boast too. But he would do so about his weaknesses (II Corinthians 10:30). On one occasion in Damascus, he had been lowered down in a basket through a window in the wall of the city to escape those who wanted to kill him (II Corinthians 11:32-33). He was willing to be weak and helpless for the sake of proclaiming the gospel. This seemingly undignified escape becomes a symbol of Paul's true strength – a willingness to embrace weakness for the sake of Christ.
In conclusion, II Corinthians 11 reveals Paul's deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian church. He uses the unusual tactic of "foolish boasting" to expose the deceptive nature of false apostles and to highlight the contrast between their self-seeking motives and his own sacrificial service. Ultimately, Paul's "boasting" is not about personal achievement, but about the power of Christ made perfect in weakness.
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
This chapter of II Corinthians, chapter 11, follows Paul's passionate defense of his ministry in the previous chapter and serves as a critical turning point in his letter. Here, Paul reluctantly engages in what he considers "foolish boasting" to expose the deceptive tactics of false apostles who were leading the Corinthian church astray. He feels a deep, godly jealousy for the Corinthians, viewing them as a bride being seduced away from her pure devotion to Christ.
A Spiritual Father's Concern (II Corinthians 11:1-4)
Paul sees himself as a protective spiritual father, deeply concerned about the Corinthians' vulnerability to deception. He compares them to a betrothed virgin, and himself to her father, entrusted to present them pure to Christ (II Corinthians 11:2). The false apostles in Corinth were attempting to corrupt the Corinthians’ commitment to Christ with a false gospel, a different Jesus, and a different spirit (II Corinthians 11:4). This is reminiscent of the serpent's deception of Eve in the Garden of Eden (II Corinthians 11:3), where subtle lies led to devastating consequences. Paul fears that the Corinthians are being led astray from a pure devotion to Christ.
The Sting of "Super-Apostles" (II Corinthians 11:5-6)
The false teachers had promoted themselves as being superior to Paul, but he knew he was not inferior to these so-called super-apostles (II Corinthians 11:5). They accused him of being untrained in public speaking. Yet Paul knew that his knowledge of the true gospel and the content of his message were far more important that oratorical skill (II Corinthians 11:6). Paul wonders if the Corinthians were so easily swayed by these "super-apostles" because he refused to take money from them. He did this to avoid any accusation of ulterior motives in his service.
Sacrificial Service vs. Self-Seeking Gain (II Corinthians 11:7-12)
Paul always subordinated himself to the gospel. Instead of exalting himself and having the Corinthians pay for his services, he had received financial support from other churches and preached the gospel to them free of charge (II Corinthians 11:7-8). He describes this as having robbed believers from Macedonia (II Corinthians 11:8-9), meaning other Christians paid for his ministry when he could rightly have expected the Corinthians to support him themselves. But Paul hadn’t wanted to burden them and hinder the work of the gospel among them (II Corinthians 11:9). This kind of boasting Paul was willing to engage in—that is, boasting about how he had sacrificed for them and about his great love for them (II Corinthians 11:10-11). The false apostles wouldn’t boast in these kinds of humble attitudes and actions; thus, they were clearly not Paul’s equals (II Corinthians 11:12).
Exposing the Deceitful Workers (II Corinthians 11:13-15)
Paul pulls no punches, calling these opponents exactly what they were: false apostles and deceitful workers (II Corinthians 11:13). They are not true servants of Christ but imposters following the pattern of their master, Satan. Just as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light in order to deceive and corrupt, so these false teachers pretended to be servants of righteousness (II Corinthians 11:14-15). Paul promises that God will judge them according to their works (II Corinthians 11:15).
Don’t assume that Satan’s temptations and tactics will always be obvious. He’s a liar and deceiver, and he’s been plying his trade for millennia. He’s familiar with your weaknesses, just like a coach who studies the game films of his opponents in order to exploit theirs. The enemy knows how to make succumbing to his temptations appear like good and right things to do. So, what can you do? “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11), and “resist him, firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9).
A Fool's Errand? (II Corinthians 11:16-21)
Paul confesses to acting like a fool with his boasting because apparently that’s what some of the Corinthians were responding to from the false apostles (II Corinthians 11:16-18). They were willing to put up with those whom they considered “super-apostles” (II Corinthians 11:5), even if it meant they actually exploited and mistreated them (II Corinthians 11:20)! Paul sarcastically admits, We have been too weak for that! (II Corinthians 11:21). In other words, he says, “You’re right. They’re much better apostles than I. They take advantage of you and insult you. But me? All I do is sacrifice for you and love you!”
The Boast of Weakness (II Corinthians 11:22-29)
What did Paul boast in? First, he boasted in his Jewish credentials because apparently the false apostles had done the same (II Corinthians 11:22). But then his boasting takes a different turn. Though the false teachers exalted themselves, Paul bragged (like a madman, he says) of his labors . . . imprisonments . . . beatings . . . near death experiences (II Corinthians 11:23). Then he lists examples of all the trials and persecutions he endured throughout his missionary endeavors (II Corinthians 11:24-27). On top of these physical ordeals, he experienced the daily pressure of leading and ministering to struggling churches (II Corinthians 11:28). Even if he was physically separated from these churches, when he heard about their problems, Paul suffered right along with them because of his deep affection for them and for Christ (II Corinthians 11:29).
Paul’s point is this: suffering was not an indicator of his failure as an apostle; it was a sign of his superiority. His superior suffering on behalf of his Savior (who suffered!) demonstrated his superior service and commitment. To the Corinthians who valued strength, position, and privilege, this list would sound only like weakness and failure.
Humility in Escape (II Corinthians 11:30-33)
Since the Corinthians had put up with the boasting of the false apostles, Paul would boast too. But he would do so about his weaknesses (II Corinthians 10:30). On one occasion in Damascus, he had been lowered down in a basket through a window in the wall of the city to escape those who wanted to kill him (II Corinthians 11:32-33). He was willing to be weak and helpless for the sake of proclaiming the gospel. This seemingly undignified escape becomes a symbol of Paul's true strength – a willingness to embrace weakness for the sake of Christ.
In conclusion, II Corinthians 11 reveals Paul's deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian church. He uses the unusual tactic of "foolish boasting" to expose the deceptive nature of false apostles and to highlight the contrast between their self-seeking motives and his own sacrificial service. Ultimately, Paul's "boasting" is not about personal achievement, but about the power of Christ made perfect in weakness.