II Corinthians Study II Corinthians 11:1-33 Paul’s Vindication of His Apostleship

Having discussed that the Lord had authenticated him as an Apostle in Chapter 10, Paul will become very intimate in Chapter 11 as he vindicates his Apostleship.  Because of the fact that the false apostles were attempting to discredit his ministry, Paul proves to the Corinthians that he is an accredited Apostle.   Paul begins in verse 1 by stating that he was subjecting himself to the folly of self-commendation because he loved and desired to win the Corinthians.

In verses 2-4, Paul compared the Corinthian church to Eve, in that, the church was in peril of being seduced to disobedience through their minds being “corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”  The Corinthian church that was betrothed to Christ was in peril of forsaking true devotion to Christ!  This Corinthian church was in danger of listening to and being open to a different gospel and a different spirit (bondage to the Law, Galatians 4:17-5:1).

Because of the appeals of the false apostles in verses 5-6, the Corinthians wavered in their loyalty to the Lord.  The false apostles were claiming their authority through association with the twelve Apostles; however, Paul defended his authority as an Apostle by stating that “he was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.”   Paul is saying that “he is not the least of the Apostles.”  In order to win the love of the Corinthians, Paul is vehemently defending his Apostleship!

The false apostles were claiming their superiority and eloquence in speaking.  To combat their claim as eloquent speakers, Paul acknowledged that he was not an accomplished rhetorician, a trained speaker; however, what Paul said was more important than how he said it!  The Corinthians could not deny the transforming message that Paul presented!

In order not to be a financial burden to the Corinthian church, Paul supported himself by being a tent maker.  Paul accepted support from other churches to whom he had ministered, but not from the Corinthians.  He accepted gifts from other churches who were not as fortunate in order not to be a financial burden to the Corinthians (vv. 7-9).

In order to emulate the worthy example of Christ, who became poor, that we might be enriched (II Corinthians 8:9), Paul adhered to the general practice of not accepting remuneration from them and to express his candid love.  Paul did not practice receiving solicited remuneration as the false apostles but worked as a tent maker, a fact that should not detract from his Apostleship (vv. 10-12).

In verses 13-15, Paul, in a denunciatory manner, said that these false apostles were shams, emissaries of Satan, masquerading themselves like Satan as an angel of light.  In verses 16-18, following the advice of Proverbs 26:5, Paul answered the foolish Corinthians according to their folly.  He pursued this approach not by choice, but by necessity because the Corinthians had tolerated and welcomed the false apostles.  In order to win the Corinthians, Paul entered into a “contest of folly.”  Paul did not boast in an arrogant way, but in an effort to affirm his claim as an Apostle.  In his boasting, he was not talking as the Lord would, but Paul chose to, although reluctantly.

Utilizing the sting of irony in verses 19-21, Paul stated that the Corinthians thinking themselves to be wise put up with fools.  The false apostles were lording their authority over the Corinthians.  They would exploit and enslave the Corinthians to gratify themselves.  Paul said that he was too weak to practice the exploits of the false apostles.  He presented himself as a servant of Christ and Christ as their Lord (II Corinthians 4:5).

Beginning in verses 22-33, Paul described his life as a minister of the gospel.  Paul faced some tough hardships as a minister of Christ.  Paul pointed out that he was an Israelite, tracing his lineage through the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5).  He was a descendant of Abraham and was circumcised on the eighth day (v. 22).  Paul noted the absurdity of comparing himself to the false apostles; however, he does so in order to convince the Corinthians.

The false apostles could not match Paul’s record of service (v. 23).    As an Apostle, Paul received thirty-nine lashes each five times in the synagogues (v. 24); he was beaten with rods by the Romans (Acts 16:37).  He was stoned and left for dead in Lystra (Acts 14:19).  He suffered shipwreck; he was exposed to the threat of drowning as a consequence to river crossings (v. 25).  Paul’s itinerant ministry exposed him to countless dangers (v. 26).  In addition to living with dangers, Paul willingly endured numerous privations in discharging his Apostolic ministry.  Paul found himself with insufficient food, drink, and clothing to meet his minimal needs.  He experienced sleepless nights, hunger, thirst and cold (v. 27).

Having catalogued the physical afflictions and deprivations Paul encountered as an Apostle in verses 28-29, Paul reveals the daily burden of his concern for the well-being of all the churches established through his ministry (vv. 28-29).

In I Corinthians 12, Paul noted that in a spiritual body “if one part suffers every part suffers with it” (I Corinthians 12:26).  He reveals how that same sentiment found expression in his own life (v. 29).  In verse 30, Paul revealed that his boasting was not in his power, but in his weakness.  Paul’s boast was that his life was like that of Christ.  Paul was like the suffering Servant, Jesus Christ.  Paul affirmed his account of sufferings for the cause of Christ was true (v. 31).  Finally, Paul concludes Chapter 11 by describing his escape from Damascus, being let down by the wall in a basket to escape those who were lying in wait to kill him! (vv. 32-33).

May God Bless!