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2 Corinthians 11

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.

What does 2 Corinthians 11:13 mean?

Explanation

2 Corinthians 11:13 warns readers about individuals who claim to be apostles of Christ but are in truth deceitful and have malicious intentions.

The verse underscores that such people disguise themselves to appear as genuine apostles.

The deeper meaning implies a caution against being misled by those who seek to corrupt the purity of the Gospel for their own gain and warns of the existence of spiritual deception within the Christian community.

Top Rated 2 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

The Apostle Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to the Christian community in Corinth, a cosmopolitan city known for its cultural diversity and moral laxity.

During this period, false teachers were attempting to undermine Paul's authority and teachings by presenting themselves as true apostles.

These individuals likely sought to gain prestige, financial support, or influence over the early Christian communities by distorting the true message of the Gospel.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse brings to light the concept of spiritual discernment.

It acknowledges the possibility of deceptive influences within the Church and stresses the need for vigilance and discernment among believers.

Different theological viewpoints may further explore the nature of apostolic authority, the qualifications of a true apostle of Christ, and the means by which Christians can identify and respond to false teaching.

Practical Applications

The teachings of 2 Corinthians 11:13 can be applied in daily life by encouraging individuals to be discerning about whom they trust and follow in spiritual matters.

Believers are urged to measure teachings and practices against the truth of the Bible and to seek wisdom through prayer and fellowship with other faithful Christians to avoid being led astray by falsehoods.

Cross-References

Matthew 7:15: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Galatians 1:8: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
Acts 20:29-30: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."

1 John 4:1: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

Language Study

The original Greek language of the New Testament uses significant terms in this verse:

"False apostles" (ψευδαπόστολοι - pseudapostoloi): Refers to individuals who falsely claim to be sent ones or messengers with authority.
"Deceitful workers" (ἐργάται δόλιοι - ergatai dolioi): Implies laborers who are cunning or crafty in their deceit.
"Transforming" (μετασχηματίζονται - metaschematizontai): Means to change the form or outward appearance, suggesting a deliberate disguise of one's true nature.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient religions and myths, the theme of deception by spiritual or divine beings is common.

This verse can be compared to stories where gods or prophets use disguises or trickery.

However, in a Christian context, the emphasis is on moral integrity and truthful representation of one's faith and teaching.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse itself does not directly intersect with scientific concepts, modern psychology provides insight into human behavior and the tendencies people have to manipulate or deceive others for personal gain.

Understanding these psychological dynamics can help to inform why individuals might pose as false apostles and how they can potentially deceive others.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on 2 Corinthians 11:13:

John Calvin suggests that false apostles are dangerous because they take on the semblance of servants of Christ, and therefore can mislead the unwary.
Matthew Henry emphasizes the severity of the deception by indicating that these false apostles are deceitful workers who are workers with Satan.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary points out that false apostles not only proliferated in Paul's day but are still present in modern times, requiring Christians to remain vigilant and to discern truth from falsehood in contemporary contexts.

2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11

What does 2 Corinthians 11:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 2 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does 2 Corinthians 11:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 2 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?