2 Corinthians11
New Living Translation
1I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me.
2For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.
3But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.
4You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.
5But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things.
6I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.
7Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return?
8I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost.
9And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be.
10As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this.
11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.
12But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours.
13These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.
14But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
16Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little.
17Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool.
18And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.
19After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools!
20You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face.
21I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that! But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.
22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.
24Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.
25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
26I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
27I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
29Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
30If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.
31God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying.
32When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me.
33I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Corinthians 11.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle gives the reasons for speaking in his own commendation. (1–14). Shows that he had freely preached the gospel. (5–15). Explains what he was going to add in defence of his own character. (16–21). He gives an account of his labours, cares, sufferings, dangers, and deliverances. (22–33).
vv1-4
The apostle desired to preserve the Corinthians from being corrupted by the false apostles. There is but one Jesus, one Spirit, and one gospel, to be preached to them, and received by them; and why should any be prejudiced, by the devices of an adversary, against him who first taught them in faith? They should not listen to men, who, without cause, would draw them away from those who were the means of their conversion.
vv5-15
It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially when we consider the great power which Satan, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, has upon the minds of many. And as there are temptations to evil conduct, so there is equal danger on the other side. It serves Satan's purposes as well, to set up good works against the atonement of Christ, and salvation by faith and grace. But the end will discover those who are deceitful workers; their work will end in ruin. Satan will allow his ministers to preach either the law or the gospel separately; but the law as established by faith in Christ's righteousness and atonement, and the partaking of his Spirit, is the test of every false system.
vv16-21
It is the duty and practice of Christians to humble themselves, in obedience to the command and example of the Lord; yet prudence must direct in what it is needful to do things which we may do lawfully, even the speaking of what God has wrought for us, and in us, and by us. Doubtless here is reference to facts in which the character of the false apostles had been shown. It is astonishing to see how such men bring their followers into bondage, and how they take from them and insult them.
Key Words
ὄφελον (óphelon): I ought (wish), i.e. (interjection) oh that!
ἀνέχομαι (anéchomai): to hold oneself up against, i.e. (figuratively) put up with
μοῦ (moû): of me
μικρόν (mikrón): a small space of time or degree
ἀφροσύνη (aphrosýnē): senselessness, i.e. (euphemistically) egotism; (morally) recklessness
γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ζηλόω (zēlóō): to have warmth of feeling for or against
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
ζῆλος (zēlos): properly, heat, i.e. (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband (figuratively, of God), or an enemy, malice)
ὑμᾶς (hymâs): you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 11Paul acts as the 'friend of the Bridegroom' who espouses the church as a chaste bride to Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Direct historical allusion to the serpent's deceptive temptation of Eve in Eden.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Parallels the warnings against quickly accepting 'another gospel' or a different message than first received.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul asserts his apostolic standing, not being a whit behind the chiefest apostles in labor.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel defense of Paul's apostleship; forced to boast though not behind the chiefest apostles.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
The Mosaic law limiting physical scourging to forty stripes, leading to the Jewish 'forty save one' custom.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The historical record of Paul escaping Damascus by being let down the wall in a basket.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel imagery of Christ presenting the Church to Himself as holy, unblemished, and chaste.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical account of Paul working as a tentmaker in Corinth to preach the gospel freely.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Christ's warning against false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly wolves.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul uses similar solemn oaths calling on Christ's truth to attest his sincerity.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Fulfillment of Christ's prophecy that His messengers would be scourged in synagogues.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Historical confirmation of Paul being beaten with rods by Roman magistrates at Philippi.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the 'false brethren' who crept in to spy out and enslave believers.
Supported by Matthew Poole