Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)
Introduction:
In this passage, Paul continues to defend his position as the spiritual authority in the Corinthian church.
Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.
There is a Time for Boasting if it is Done Correctly.
Paul continues to boast (in the Lord) in this passage.
In order to compare his own ministry with that of the false apostles who have invaded the Corinthian church, Paul has to speak about himself, which inevitably seems like foolish boasting.
2 Corinthians 11:7-15 NLT
Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)
7 Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? 8 I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. 9 And 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. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.
12 But 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. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So 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.
Examine the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 11:7-15 NLT
Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)
7 Was I wrong when I humbled myself
Greek culture measured the importance of a teacher by the fee he could command.
and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return?
Normal practice
Luke 10:4-7 NLT (Instructions from Jesus)
4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
5 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
1 Corinthians 9:4 NLT (Paul)
4 Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals?
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 NLT
13 Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. 14 In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.
- The normal practice, at the time when Paul was an apostle, was that those who preached the Good News were supported by those who benefited from the teaching.
Paul’s choice
1 Thessalonians 2:9 NLT
9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.
2 Thessalonians 3:8 NLT
8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.
Acts 18:1-3 NLT
Paul Meets Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth
1 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila … (and) his wife, Priscilla. … 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.
- Paul preached God’s Good News to the Corinthians without expecting anything in return.
8 I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost.
Paul said it was like robbery when he took money from poor people (churches).
- Paul accepted financial contributions from other churches so that he could serve the Corinthian church at no cost to them.
9 And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone.
Philippians 4:11-13 NLT
11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Learn how to be content with whatever you have.
For the brothers who came from Macedonia (Silas and Timothy) brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be.
Philippians 4:15 NLT
15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this.
- Paul did not want to be a financial burden to the Corinthian church.
God provided.
10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this.
2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
Review from the previous lesson:
Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.
However, if necessary, Paul will boast about his ministry (Paul’s boasting was in the Lord.) to keep the Corinthian church from becoming corrupted. There is a Time for Boasting if it is Done Correctly.
In order to compare his own ministry with that of the false apostles who have invaded the Corinthian church, Paul has to speak about himself, which inevitably seems like foolish boasting.
- If necessary, Paul will boast about his ministry to keep the Corinthian church from becoming corrupted.
11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.
Paul’s refusal to accept financial support from the Corinthians may have embarrassed the Corinthians.
This verse suggests that the Corinthians felt that Paul did not love them.
Paul certainly loved the Corinthians.
Paul was the loving “spiritual” father wanting to protect his children. (Previous lesson)
12 But I will continue doing what I have always done.
- Paul stood his ground (refusing financial support from the Corinthians), which may not have felt like love to the Corinthians.
This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours.
- Unlike Paul, the false apostles were being supported by the Corinthian church. This made their work different from Paul’s work.
13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Don’t be surprised by false teachers. They are deceitful workers disguised as apostles of Christ.
15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.
- Paul described the false apostles at Corinth as servants of Satan.
- Paul was fighting a spiritual battle to protect the Corinthian church from corruption.
In the end, they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
