1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in [my] folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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].
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
6 But though [I be] rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages [of them], to do you service.
9 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].
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
12 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.
13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 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.
16 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.
17 That which I speak, I speak [it] not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye [yourselves] are wise.
20 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.
21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
22 Are they Hebrews? so [am] I. Are they Israelites? so [am] I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so [am] I.
23 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.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one.
25 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;
26 [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;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
Overview of 2 Corinthians Chapter 11
2 Corinthians Chapter 11 is a pivotal chapter in the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, where he defends his apostleship and ministry against false apostles and emphasizes the importance of truth in the Christian faith. This chapter highlights themes of suffering, authenticity, and the dangers of deception within the church.
Contextual Background
This chapter is part of a larger discourse where Paul addresses issues of division, false teachings, and the integrity of his ministry. The Corinthian church was facing internal strife and external pressures, leading to confusion about authority and doctrine.
Main Themes
- Defense of Apostolic Authority: Paul asserts his credentials as an apostle and contrasts himself with false apostles.
- Boasting in Weakness: Paul discusses his sufferings and weaknesses as a testament to his genuine ministry.
- Warning Against Deception: The chapter serves as a caution against those who distort the gospel for personal gain.
Detailed Analysis
1. Defense of Apostolic Authority (Verses 1-6)
Paul begins by expressing a desire for the Corinthians to bear with him in a moment of foolishness as he defends his authority. He uses the metaphor of a bride to illustrate his relationship with the church, emphasizing his commitment to presenting them as pure to Christ.
- Paul’s jealousy for the Corinthians is likened to God’s jealousy, highlighting the seriousness of their spiritual fidelity.
- He contrasts his simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ with the cunning of the false apostles.
- Paul questions their acceptance of these false teachers, who preach a different Jesus and a different gospel.
2. The Characteristics of False Apostles (Verses 13-15)
In these verses, Paul identifies false apostles as deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. He emphasizes that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light, warning that the appearance of righteousness can be deceptive.
- False apostles are characterized by their manipulation and distortion of the truth.
- Paul’s use of the term “disguised” indicates the subtlety and danger of such deception.
3. Paul’s Sufferings and Credentials (Verses 16-33)
Paul shifts to a more personal tone, recounting his sufferings and hardships as evidence of his genuine commitment to Christ. He lists various trials, including imprisonments, beatings, and dangers faced from various groups.
- Paul’s extensive list of sufferings serves to validate his ministry and to demonstrate that true apostleship often involves suffering.
- He emphasizes that his weaknesses and trials are not signs of failure but rather indicators of his faithfulness to the gospel.
- In recounting his experiences, Paul highlights his resilience and dedication despite the challenges he faced.
Conclusion
Chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians is a powerful reminder of the importance of discernment in the Christian faith. Paul’s defense of his apostleship and his candid sharing of his sufferings serve to reinforce the authenticity of his ministry. This chapter challenges readers to evaluate the integrity of their spiritual leaders and to remain vigilant against deception in the pursuit of truth.
