2Cor 11 | MHM | STEP | The Apostle Asserts His Claims In this section, Paul explains why he must speak about himself. He does not enjoy praising himself, but he feels it is necessary. False teachers are trying to turn the Corinthians away from him and from the true gospel. Paul wants to protect the church from being led astray. He reminds them that he brought them to faith in Christ and wants them to stay faithful to Jesus. v. 1 : Paul begins by asking the Corinthians to bear with him as he talks about himself. He calls this “folly” because it is usually foolish to praise oneself. However, in this case, it is necessary. Paul does not like to speak about his own achievements, but sometimes it is right to do so, especially when it helps others or is needed to defend oneself. He asks the Corinthians to be patient with him as he explains his actions ( Would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly , 2 Corinthians 11:1 ).

‏ 2 Corinthians 11

The Apostle Asserts His Claims

In this section, Paul explains why he must speak about himself. He does not enjoy praising himself, but he feels it is necessary. False teachers are trying to turn the Corinthians away from him and from the true gospel. Paul wants to protect the church from being led astray. He reminds them that he brought them to faith in Christ and wants them to stay faithful to Jesus.

v. 1: Paul begins by asking the Corinthians to bear with him as he talks about himself. He calls this “folly” because it is usually foolish to praise oneself. However, in this case, it is necessary. Paul does not like to speak about his own achievements, but sometimes it is right to do so, especially when it helps others or is needed to defend oneself. He asks the Corinthians to be patient with him as he explains his actions (Would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly, 2 Corinthians 11:1 ^a).

v. 2–3: Paul explains that he is jealous for the Corinthians with a godly jealousy. He feels responsible for them because he led them to Christ, like a person who brings a bride to her husband. Paul wants to present them to Christ as a pure and faithful church. He is afraid that, just as Eve was tricked by the serpent’s lies (Genesis 3:1–6 ^b), the Corinthians might be led away from their sincere faith by false teachers (he was jealous over them with godly jealousy, 2 Corinthians 11:2–3 ^c).

–

v. 4: Paul warns that the false apostles cannot offer a different Jesus, a different Spirit, or a different gospel. There is only one true Jesus, one Holy Spirit, and one gospel. If someone came preaching a different message, maybe the Corinthians would have a reason to listen. But since Paul brought them the true gospel, they should not turn away from him because of the lies of others (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, 2 Corinthians 11:4 ^d).

The Apostle Asserts His Claims

In this section, Paul continues to defend his ministry. He explains that he is not less than the other apostles. He also describes how he preached the gospel without asking for money from the Corinthians. Paul wants them to know his reasons for acting this way. He also warns them about false apostles who pretend to be true servants of Christ, but are really deceivers.

v. 5: Paul says that he is not less important than the most well-known apostles. He says this in a humble way, not boasting. Even though apostles are all equal in their office, each one has different gifts. Paul admits he might not be the best speaker, but he is not lacking in knowledge. The Corinthians have seen that he truly understands the gospel (I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles, 2 Corinthians 11:5 ^e).

v. 6: Paul admits he may not be skilled in speaking, but he is not uneducated. He knows the truth and has taught it clearly to the Corinthians. His knowledge of God’s mysteries and his teaching have been obvious to them all (But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge, 2 Corinthians 11:6 ^f).

v. 7–10: Paul reminds the Corinthians that he preached the gospel to them for free. He did not ask for money, even though it is right for ministers to receive support. Instead, he accepted help from other churches, like those in Macedonia, so he would not be a burden to the Corinthians. He worked with his own hands to support himself. He did this so they could freely receive the gospel and not think he was only interested in their money (I have preached to you the gospel of God freely, 2 Corinthians 11:7–10 ^g).

– – –

v. 11: Paul explains that he did not refuse help from the Corinthians because he did not love them. He loves them deeply, and God knows his true feelings. He wanted to avoid any chance for people to accuse him of preaching for money (Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth, 2 Corinthians 11:11 ^h).

v. 12: Paul says he will continue his practice of not accepting money from them. He does this to stop those who want to find fault with him. He does not want anyone to say that he is preaching only for profit. He wants to show that he serves God sincerely, not for personal gain (that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we, 2 Corinthians 11:12 ⁱ).

v. 13–15: Paul warns that the false apostles are really deceivers. They pretend to be apostles of Christ, but they are not. Just as Satan can disguise himself as an “angel of light,” his servants can pretend to be servants of righteousness. But in the end, their true nature will be revealed, and they will be judged by their actions (For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ, 2 Corinthians 11:13–15 ^j).

– –

The Apostle Asserts His Claims

In this part, Paul continues to defend himself. He explains why he must speak about his own work and achievements, even though he does not like to boast. Paul reminds the Corinthians that they have put up with other people who boast, even those who take advantage of them. So, he asks them to be patient with his words, since his reasons are important.

v. 16: Paul asks the Corinthians not to think he is foolish for defending himself. Usually, it is not wise to praise yourself, but Paul says that if they see it as foolishness, he asks them to listen anyway. He wants them to respect what he is about to say (Let no man think me a fool, 2 Corinthians 11:16 ^k).

v. 17: Paul says that he is not speaking this way because the Lord commands it. Christians should usually be humble and not boast. But in this special situation, it is right for him to talk about what God has done through him. He reminds them that it is not always wrong to speak about yourself, but it should only be done when needed (That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, 2 Corinthians 11:17 ^l).

v. 18: Paul points out that many people boast about their own abilities and achievements. Since others do this, he will do the same for a moment. However, he does not want to boast in worldly things, but later he will talk about his weaknesses (Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also, 2 Corinthians 11:18 ^m).

v. 19: Paul says that the Corinthians think they are wise, but they tolerate those who boast and act foolishly. He uses irony here, showing that they put up with people who do not deserve respect (For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise,.

v. 20: Paul explains that the Corinthians have even put up with people who treat them badly. These false teachers make them slaves, take their money, boast about themselves, and insult them openly. Still, the Corinthians seem to accept this behavior (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, 2 Corinthians 11:20 ⁿ).

v. 21: Paul admits that he has been weak in not boasting before now. But since others are bold, he feels he must also be bold. If the Corinthians can tolerate so much from others, it is fair for Paul to ask them to tolerate his defense too (I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also, 2 Corinthians 11:21 ^o).

The Apostle Recounts His Sufferings

In this section, Paul talks about his background, his work as an apostle, and especially his many sufferings for Christ. He does not do this to boast, but to show how much God has helped him. Paul wants the Corinthians to see that his hardships prove his true commitment to Jesus, unlike the false apostles who only want to look important.

v. 22: Paul says that he is just as much a Jew as the false apostles. He is a Hebrew, an Israelite, and a descendant of Abraham. He shares the same heritage as those who are trying to discredit him (Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I, 2 Corinthians 11:22 ^p).

v. 23: Paul asks if the others are servants of Christ. He says he is even more so. He has worked harder, been in prison more often, been beaten many times, and faced death again and again for the sake of Jesus (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,.

v. 24: Paul explains that five times the Jews whipped him with thirty-nine lashes. This was the maximum allowed by their law (Deuteronomy 25:3 ^q). The Jews never showed him mercy, but always punished him to the limit (Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one, 2 Corinthians 11:24 ^r).

v. 25: Paul says that three times he was beaten with rods by the Gentiles. Once, he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19 ^s). He was shipwrecked three times, and once he spent a whole day and night stranded at sea (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, 2 Corinthians 11:25 ^t).

v. 26: Paul describes how he was always in danger. He faced dangers from rivers, robbers, his own people, Gentiles, in cities, in the wilderness, at sea, and even from people who pretended to be Christians but were not (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, 2 Corinthians 11:26 ^u).

v. 27: Paul says he worked hard and suffered much. He often went without sleep, was hungry and thirsty, fasted many times, and was cold and lacked proper clothing (In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness, 2 Corinthians 11:27 ^v).

v. 28: Besides all these physical hardships, Paul also felt the daily pressure of caring for all the churches. He worried about the believers and their problems (Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches, 2 Corinthians 11:28 ^w).

v. 29: Paul says he feels weak when any Christian is weak. When someone is led into sin, he feels deep pain and concern for them (Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?,.

v. 30: Paul says that if he must boast, he will boast about the things that show his weakness. He is not ashamed of his sufferings, because they show how much he depends on God (If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities, 2 Corinthians 11:30 ^x).

v. 31: Paul calls God as his witness that everything he says is true. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, knows all things (The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not, 2 Corinthians 11:31 ^y).

v. 32–33: Paul remembers a special time of danger in Damascus. The governor tried to arrest him, but his friends helped him escape by lowering him in a basket through a window in the city wall (Acts 9:24–25 ^z). This was one of his first great trials as a Christian, and it showed how God protected him (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, 2 Corinthians 11:32–33 ^aa).