Bible Studies

STUDIES IN SECOND CORINTHIANS Chapter 11

by Henry Jaegers
09/19/26
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STUDIES IN SECOND CORINTHIANS

Chapter 11

Paul’sesponse to False Teachers

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19-yvNqzPVQGW6XiHiAcWlJvbT_iLxAx6/view?usp=sharing

 As we approach chapter 11, it is important to note the problem of "false teachers" found in Chapter 10. These false teachers highlight the need to address them. Their presence in the church has confused the church by creating a contrast between Paul's ministry and theirs.

Because Paul is forced to respond by letter, he is at a disadvantage: while he is away, these imposters are gaining a hearing with the people and influencing them with what they teach.

Chapter 11 defends Paul's ministry to them. What they are being taught is folly.  By using that term, Paul wants them to consider his side of the coin. He presents a comparison to show why they should trust him.

With this background, this study in chapter eleven will make the chapter less confusing.

Paul's Folly Expressed. (Verses  1 Through 3)

 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly:  and indeed bear with me.

As we consider the meaning behind these words, what did Paul mean by "folly"? e is not referring to something foolish as the word usually suggests. It means Paul is stepping back from instructing them and telling them something about his feelings toward them.

So what is it that he wants to tell them?

  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.

In these words, Paul expresses a deep love and concern for them. He uses an illustration of a father toward his virgin daughter. He brought her into this world, provided for her, protected and prepared her for the time when she might marry that young man of her dreams.

That is exactly how Paul felt toward this church. He was responsible for her birth, nourished her, and taught her the way she should go, so that someday she might arrive at that wedding properly adorned to meet her Lord.

This is the shepherd's responsibility to the sheep and the pastor's to his congregation.

But a fear lingers inside him. He knows that harmful forces are at hand, and he fears that she might be taken in by them and lose her way. This is the same fear Paul has for the church.

In our last study, we considered impostor apostles seeking to undermine Paul's ministry.

His beloved daughter may come in contact with wolves in sheep's clothing, and she would not be able to tell the difference.

I want to digress here and make an application. As leaders in our churches, we ought to have this same fear: that our people, when confronted by false teachers, might be grounded sufficiently to withstand these. This should cause a twofold fear: first, that our people are carefully grounded and are people of "the word"; second, it should concern us as leaders that we set the example for them to follow.

So, Paul expresses his folly by sharing his love and concern.

Paul's Further Love and Concern Expressed. (Verses 4 through 9)

 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.

Here, Paul expresses another fear. If we are not aware that what we are being taught is truth, then we might wind up following him and embrace his doctrine. Once that happens, it is difficult for us to change when we are confronted with the truth. Sometimes we respect the man who teaches us and follow him, regardless of whether he speaks the truth. Pretenders tell you that God calls them, but their teaching betrays them.

We must have a basis for understanding truth before we accept anyone's teachings.

At this point, I would like to share an experience Paul had as found in Acts Chapter 17. He was teaching at Thessalonica when the persecuting Jews heard about him. As Paul was on the run, he found refuge in a church located in Berea. He stayed only a short while, but what he found was amazing. Here is what he said about them.

" These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word gladly with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily, to see if those things (That Paul was teaching) were so."

These were wise people and set before us how we should receive what everyone tells us about the word of God.

  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.

A further evidence of Paul's credibility was,how they received him as another of Christ's apostles. They accepted him as such. Something important to remember.

Have I committed an offense 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.

Paul asked another question. Have I counted it shameful to come unto you. I boasted much of you to everyone and was not ashamed to be part of you. We traveled long distances, bearing hardship along the way, to bring you the Gospel.

Then Paul makes the statement of robbing other churches. He meant that he accepted offerings from other churches to preach in a church different from theirs. He came with no expectation of being remunerated by them, but the churches at Macedonia made it possible for him to come by paying his way. This is another expression of Paul's love for them.r them.

False Teachers are Exposed. (Verses 10 through 15)

As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.  Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth.

Paul expresses his determination to continue his ministry throughout all of Achaia, despite any opposition he might face. His experience at Corinth was a good one. Why should he not continue?

 We might wonder why he asked the question, "Because I love you not? Perhaps this might be a rhetorical question. Perhaps we might rephrase it. Do you think Iam doing all of this because I hate you? The reply is obvious; God knows, even if you are not convinced of my true motive.

 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..

Paul is not going to let these false teachings slide and keep on. They are determined to recive glory from you, even as Paul so desires. But Paul's desire is not for selfish gain, as theirs is; Paul desires to have them; they desire what is gain to them (Referring to the apostate apostles).

 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.

Since the father of these pretenders is the father of lies, do not be surprised that these teachers lie as well. We may be deceived by their teachings and pretentions, but they are not hid from the Father of light, and they shall receive the consequences attached to their deceptions.

 Boasting in a Righteous Manner (Verses 16 Through 20)

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.  

Paul continues to beg them to put up with his folly. But is it really folly to brag about what God has done through him?

Sometimes, when I look back at past successes, I know God was at work, and if I hadn't been there, it wouldn't have happened at all. Now I ask, is that "Righteous boasting? God Knows. Perhaps this is what Paul is saying. That He has something to brag about only because God was there and made it happen. Do we have to remove the human element altogether? Again, God Knows.

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.

Paul continues, even the wise among them put up with all sorts of foolishness. This is evidenced by their allowing such men among you who take advantage of you when you are weak. So why not allow Paul to engage in foolishness also, seeing he has no intention of evil toward you.

Boasting on equal Footing.(Verses 21 and 22)

  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.

Whatever these pretenders have to boast about, Paul claims that he has thesame reason as they. The difference is that they boast about it, but he does not.

The Perilsof Paul.(Verses 23 through 39)