2 Corinthians 11
Read 2 Corinthians 11 (WEB)+
1I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me. 2For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different “good news”, which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough. 5For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles. 6But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things. 7Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge? 8I robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them that I might serve you. 9When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so. 10As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows. 12But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles. 14And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 16I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little. 17That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. 18Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast. 19For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise. 20For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face. 21I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet in whatever way anyone is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I am more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. 24Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. 26I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; 27in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness. 28Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily: anxiety for all the assemblies. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation? 30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness. 31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie. 32In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the Damascenes’ city, desiring to arrest me. 33Through a window I was let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.
World English Bible (public domain)
“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
2 Corinthians 11:14
Summary
In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul continues defending his apostleship by expressing concern over the Corinthians' susceptibility to false teachings. He laments that they are too willing to accept a new gospel or different spirit. Paul emphasizes his commitment to them, comparing his dedication to that of a father to a daughter, preparing her for her marriage. He acknowledges that his detractors considered themselves superior because of their rhetorical skills or financial status, yet Paul stresses his sacrifices for the Corinthians, working without compensation to avoid burdening them. Paul contrasts his hardships with the boastful claims of his opponents, asserting that he has undergone far greater trials for the sake of Christ, including imprisonments, beatings, and other perils on his missionary journeys. He warns the Corinthians against the craftiness of his rivals, whom he sarcastically calls 'super-apostles,' by underlining his own weaknesses as a testament to God's strength working through him. This chapter underscores Paul's genuine love and dedication, challenging the Corinthians to remain steadfast in their faith and grounded in the true gospel. Theologically, 2 Corinthians 11 underscores the importance of adhering to the purity of the gospel message and recognizing the deceptive potential of false apostles. Paul's willingness to embrace suffering for Christ serves as a model of authentic discipleship, emphasizing humility and dependence on God's grace rather than on human achievements. The chapter is both a personal defense of Paul’s ministry and a pastoral exhortation to the Corinthians to maintain fidelity to the truth.
Key Themes
Go deeper
Ask the AI about 2 Corinthians 11
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.