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ii corinthians 11
Haystack bible commentary"Stacks and stacks of commentary...."
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==II Corinthians 11:1-2:
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Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
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Paul compared a believers vulnerability to deception with the deception of Eve. Eve was beguiled into disobedience. (See Gen 2:13). But it was a different story with Adam. "Adam was not deceived" (I Timothy 2:14). Referring to the nature of Adam's transgression, the Scriptures say, "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners" (Rom 5:19, NIV) Eve was beguiled into disobedience, but Adam knew exactly what he was doing.
I have watched some people in the church transgress God's commands with their eyes wide open, fully aware of what they are doing. They are not deceived--they are committing spiritual suicide. These people are difficult to reach. But the majority of the disobedient, like Eve, are deceived through ignorance. My cry is for these oppressed ones. Through knowledge of the truth the enemy can be shut off. --John Bevere; Enemy Access Denied; 2006 |
==II Corinthians 11:3:
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But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
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 Steve Gallagher
"Never underestimate the power and devices of the enemy. The Bible confirms this: But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotions to Christ. (II Corinthians 11:3) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (II Corinthians 11:14) ....in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes (II Corinthian 2:11) Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (I Peter 5:8).
Make no mistake, demons will do anything they can to get the believer to fall in order to draw him away from the Lord. They are brilliant strategists who have probably been following the man since he was born. They are knowledgable of his weaknesses and know exactly how to entice him into their snares." --Steve Gallagher; At The Idol of Sexual Idolatry |
==II Corinthians 11:4:
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For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!
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 David Guzik
The troublemakers among the Corinthian Christians who stirred up contention against Paul didn’t only attack Paul; they also attacked the true Jesus by preaching another Jesus. Who was this “other Jesus?” Because of the way the Corinthian Christians despised Paul’s image of weakness and unimpressive appearance, the false Jesus promoted among them was probably one who knew no weakness, persecution, humiliation, suffering, or death. This “super Jesus” was another Jesus, not the real Jesus, and another Jesus isn’t real and cannot save.
The Jesus different from what Paul and other faithful apostles had preached was from a different spirit andpresented a different gospel. This was the dangerous, even spiritually deadly error that Paul had warned the Christians in Galatia against (Galatians 1:8-9). In that Galatians 1 passage, Paul explained that those who preached a different gospel should be accursed by God. Paul described these “different gospel” preachers as he who comes. This set them in contrast to God’s true apostles. An apostle is “one who is sent.” These troublemakers were the opposite of apostles. One could say of them, he who comes. Of an apostle, one would say “one who is sent” by God. These false apostles had simply come; they were not really sent by God. The problem wasn’t so much that these false teachers had come among the Christians in Corinth. The more significant problem was that the Corinthian Christians put up with them when they should have rejected them and cast them out. These false teachers were a bad influence that were accepted among the Corinthian believers. --David Guzik; Enduring Word |
==II Corinthians 11:5-13:
For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.
6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.
7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.
9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!
12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.
7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.
9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!
12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
==II Corinthians 11:14-15:
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And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. |
Without the light of the scripture, we all are nothing but a prayer for the devil to do his thing in politics and religion (2 Corinthians 11:14-15; Timothy 2:24-26).
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Christian Nationalism can find some support for its views in the Old Testament, but it fails to take into account the political theology of Jesus and the apostles. A complete survey of the New Testament reveals that the apostles dealt with theological disputes through the church, apart from government action. Consider the strong language the apostle Paul used of the false teachers in Corinth. The context of the passage is Paul’s stinging reply to the “super-apostles” who charged Paul with preaching an unauthorized gospel given to him by men. In response, Paul had no hesitation in using this language of his critics: “So it is no surprise if [Satan’s] servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Cor 11:15). Despite unmasking these churchmen as Satan’s servants, he never advocates turning them over to the authorities for punishment, though clearly, the issues at stake in Corinth were matters of eternal significance. In those days, professing Christians suffered persecution from Jewish authorities and, increasingly, the Roman Empire. If Paul viewed theological disputes as being within the legitimate purview of the state, he could have easily suggested that the Corinthian Christians turn these false teachers over to the Jewish leaders or Roman authorities. He doesn’t.
Perhaps the most significant teaching relevant to this discussion is recorded in Matt 19. In the preceding verses, the Pharisees had been told by Jesus that in the marital union, husband and wife are joined together by God as one flesh: therefore man should not separate what God joined. They respond by asking why Moses allowed them to divorce their wives at will. Jesus responds, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery” (Matt 19:8-9).
Jesus makes it clear that, even in theocratic Israel, God made legal exceptions for certain immoral activities, here, illegitimate divorce (Matt 5:32). This was done because of the hardness of the Israelites’ hearts.
This concession is relevant to the discussion of Christian Nationalism. If even in theocratic Israel certain sins were tolerated by the government because of the people’s hardness of heart, it would seem even more appropriate that we who live under the new covenant begun by Christ should tolerate some sins and theological errors because of a similar hardness. I would argue that external religious practice would fall under this category. Religion is one of the things people keep closest to their hearts, and is the most difficult thing to change, even under threat of government action. Ephesians 2:1 describes unbelievers as being dead in their sins. Isn’t this the epitome of a hard heart? Arguing from the principle of the lessor-to-the-greater, if divorce was allowed because of hardness of heart, shouldn’t the exercise of false religion be as well?
There are very practical dangers to a Christian government that punishes the practice of heretical views through state action. The likely result of forcing heresy underground and creating a black market of ideas instead of addressing falsehood head-on in the open debate should concern Christians thoughtfully considering these issues. Giving the government the power to determine what is and what is not heresy can also have dangerous consequences, as seen in the Inquisition, witch trials, and numerous examples of abuse of power. Even today Christian churches disagree on theology and morality and who can say that the brand of Christianity the nationalist state supports is your brand?
Pragmatic reasoning aside, Christ and His apostles teach that false doctrine and unbelief, while serious matters, are things that should be left out of the government’s hands. If we wish to apply the Bible’s teachings faithfully in this subject, we should repudiate Christian Nationalism and seek a better way to address the issues plaguing modern society.
--Mason Dees; Religious Liberty TV; The Popularity and Pitfalls of Christian Nationalism 8.21.23
Perhaps the most significant teaching relevant to this discussion is recorded in Matt 19. In the preceding verses, the Pharisees had been told by Jesus that in the marital union, husband and wife are joined together by God as one flesh: therefore man should not separate what God joined. They respond by asking why Moses allowed them to divorce their wives at will. Jesus responds, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery” (Matt 19:8-9).
Jesus makes it clear that, even in theocratic Israel, God made legal exceptions for certain immoral activities, here, illegitimate divorce (Matt 5:32). This was done because of the hardness of the Israelites’ hearts.
This concession is relevant to the discussion of Christian Nationalism. If even in theocratic Israel certain sins were tolerated by the government because of the people’s hardness of heart, it would seem even more appropriate that we who live under the new covenant begun by Christ should tolerate some sins and theological errors because of a similar hardness. I would argue that external religious practice would fall under this category. Religion is one of the things people keep closest to their hearts, and is the most difficult thing to change, even under threat of government action. Ephesians 2:1 describes unbelievers as being dead in their sins. Isn’t this the epitome of a hard heart? Arguing from the principle of the lessor-to-the-greater, if divorce was allowed because of hardness of heart, shouldn’t the exercise of false religion be as well?
There are very practical dangers to a Christian government that punishes the practice of heretical views through state action. The likely result of forcing heresy underground and creating a black market of ideas instead of addressing falsehood head-on in the open debate should concern Christians thoughtfully considering these issues. Giving the government the power to determine what is and what is not heresy can also have dangerous consequences, as seen in the Inquisition, witch trials, and numerous examples of abuse of power. Even today Christian churches disagree on theology and morality and who can say that the brand of Christianity the nationalist state supports is your brand?
Pragmatic reasoning aside, Christ and His apostles teach that false doctrine and unbelief, while serious matters, are things that should be left out of the government’s hands. If we wish to apply the Bible’s teachings faithfully in this subject, we should repudiate Christian Nationalism and seek a better way to address the issues plaguing modern society.
--Mason Dees; Religious Liberty TV; The Popularity and Pitfalls of Christian Nationalism 8.21.23
==II Corinthians 11:16:
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I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.
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This verse is the start of Paul's "foolish boasting" where he uses his credentials as a Hebrew, an Israelite, and a descendant of Abraham to establish his authority in contrast to the false apostles in Corinth. Paul lists his heritage to counter false teachers who were using their own Jewish heritage to gain credibility with the Corinthian church. By declaring that he shares these same titles as the false apostles, Paul argues that they are not superior to him in terms of their religious background. In the verses that immediately follow, Paul transitions from boasting about his heritage to "boasting" about his suffering for Christ, which he sees as proof of his true service |
==II Corinthians 11:17-23:
What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.
19 For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise!
20 For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.
21 To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.
19 For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise!
20 For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.
21 To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
==II Corinthians 11:23-25:
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Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; |
Pastor Joe McKeever: How the preacher can sound really smart
“I speak as a fool” (2 Corinthians 11:23). Now, the solid born-again, God-called messenger of the Lord has no wish to sound particularly smart. True, he does not want to come across as ignorant, but he is not insecure, has nothing to prove, and is not there to impress. He is a messenger, delivering the word of God, then getting out of the way.* However, a less than solid preacher just might want to impress his hearers. An insecure, insincere preacher–one working for the paycheck and seeking the prestige some people bestow on a pastor–might want to bolster his image by dressing up his presentation in some way, and could use some assistance. That’s where we come in. We can help. Herewith then is our list of tricks which a poor preacher might want to employ. 11.26.22 |
==II Corinthians 11:26:
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in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
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 Oscar Amaechina
In 2 Corinthians 11:26, Paul mentions false brethren in the list of dangers he faced on his missionary journeys. There are many of us who have escaped their manipulations, but the dangers they pose to the faiths of many are a daily phenomenon. I personally have suffered so much in the hands of false brethren who claim to be custodians of the Gospel. I have been wounded so severally that sometimes I resort to solitude and even contemplate quitting my ministry. Many in the Church have been deceived because they’ve been often taught that everyone in the visible Church is a true believer. "One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them" (Job 1:6). Sadly, the devil oftentimes attends church services. Every believer should ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of discernment. --Oscar Amaechina; president of Afri-Mission and Evangelism Network, Abuja, Nigeria. 2.24.22
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An Inch Wide and a Mile Deep
At International Christian Concern (ICC), we strive to speak on behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. We are their mouthpiece to help the global church hear their stories and awaken to their courage.
Persecuted believers rarely give up hope despite overwhelming odds. Their unwavering faith amid hardship shapes our walk with Christ and challenges our comfort. In the West, the freedoms we deeply treasure also make it easy to grow complacent. Yet, moments of violence — a church shooting, vandalism, or hostility against believers — remind us that Satan still prowls. In fact, more than 400 cases of hostility against U.S. churches were document in 2023 and 2024, according to the Family Research Council. Still, our trials do not compare with the daily threats believers face in places like Somalia, Indonesia, or Pakistan. Most Western families own multiple Bibles; in North Korea, being caught with Scripture can condemn generations of a family. Faith has always come at a cost. The early disciples paid with their lives. The Apostle Paul, though beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned, considered life in Christ his greatest prize (2 Corinthians 11:25-27). The same Holy Spirit working in the underground church is alive in the West, calling us to prayer, action, and deeper devotion. With more than 300,000 churches in the United States alone, Christians across the West have an opportunity to serve the global body of Christ. (Persecution.org 10/10/25) READMORE>>>>
At International Christian Concern (ICC), we strive to speak on behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. We are their mouthpiece to help the global church hear their stories and awaken to their courage.
Persecuted believers rarely give up hope despite overwhelming odds. Their unwavering faith amid hardship shapes our walk with Christ and challenges our comfort. In the West, the freedoms we deeply treasure also make it easy to grow complacent. Yet, moments of violence — a church shooting, vandalism, or hostility against believers — remind us that Satan still prowls. In fact, more than 400 cases of hostility against U.S. churches were document in 2023 and 2024, according to the Family Research Council. Still, our trials do not compare with the daily threats believers face in places like Somalia, Indonesia, or Pakistan. Most Western families own multiple Bibles; in North Korea, being caught with Scripture can condemn generations of a family. Faith has always come at a cost. The early disciples paid with their lives. The Apostle Paul, though beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned, considered life in Christ his greatest prize (2 Corinthians 11:25-27). The same Holy Spirit working in the underground church is alive in the West, calling us to prayer, action, and deeper devotion. With more than 300,000 churches in the United States alone, Christians across the West have an opportunity to serve the global body of Christ. (Persecution.org 10/10/25) READMORE>>>>
==II Corinthians 11:27-33:
in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;
33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;
33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.