Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 2 Corinthians 11:5 Paul started this section by saying it was foolish to compare worldly credentials, but since they are doing so, he will answer these fools according to their folly (Proverbs 24:53). He mocks them by referring to them as super-apostles, for that is how they presented themselves, not just as God’s representatives, but as the elite representatives of Jesus, or we should say, another Jesus.
When a clever, fallen person sees a humble group of people, he or she sees dollar signs. Even today, some Christian leaders whose names we admire are or were paid salaries that would make them blush if they were asked about them in public. Ministers are worthy of double honor, according to Paul (1 Timothy 5:174), implying that they are well supported, but this is quite different from the outrageous salaries that make some ministers multi-millionaires.
Our passage today begins with Paul telling them that he is not inferior to them in any way. They had demeaned him in front of the congregation, and some members of the congregation had fallen for their deception. It appears that the fallen nature readily accepts criticism. But the standards they declared to be important were all worldly, even antithetical to the fruit of the Spirit in some cases. We must keep in mind that the early church did not have access to the Bible as we do today. It was still in the works. They only had one gospel and the first letter from Paul, but they did have a year and a half of Paul’s teaching. However, the false teachers’ cultural influence drew them back into their old worldly mindset. As a result, Paul tells them that their claim that he is inferior is false.
Even if I am inept at speaking, I am not inept at knowledge; indeed, we have made this clear to you in every way. 11:6 2 Corinthians Paul’s ability to speak was one of their targets. Paul spent his youth studying under Gamaliel, one of the most prominent rabbis of the time. He had grown up in Tarsus, a college town. He was able to quote Greek philosophers.
He knew more about the Old Testament than most people. He taught the church of Corinth for a year and a half from Old Testament texts, demonstrating that Jesus is the Messiah and that He has come to redeem them from their sins. If the false teachers thought they were better at speaking, Paul tells them knowledge is more important, and this is where he easily defeats them.
Paul refused to use manipulative rhetoric for fear of draining the cross’s power. He understood that the power lay in a clear presentation of the truth of what Jesus did for us (1 Corinthians 1:175).
This is something we must keep in mind. Some people have a lot of charisma. They have a wonderful personality and appear to be your best friend. They appear to be sincere.
But what exactly are they teaching? Is the Holy Spirit’s power present? Are people drawn to Jesus or to the individual? Knowledge of the holy comes not only from studying the Word, but also from walking with the Lord. James refers to it as wisdom from on high (James 3:176). The Corinthians had witnessed Paul and his team’s knowledge and wisdom. Their approach was markedly different from that of the imposters.
Pray:
We beseech you to soften our hearts toward false teachers who twist your Word and mislead others. Help us guard our hearts against offense, bitterness, unforgiveness, apathy, self-righteousness, and anger, particularly if we have been wounded by these wolves.
Please assist us in striking a balance between exposing the lies of these false teachers and warning others, while also ensuring that every word we speak is rooted and grounded in love for their souls and the souls of their followers.
We pray that those who are being used by Satan to sow deception will see the light, flee the evil one, and stand firm on your Holy Word. Lord, please grant them repentance. Nothing is too difficult for You, we believe.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
The Great Tribulation
It is our belief that the Great Tribulation referred to in the New Testament Book of Revelation (chapters 6-11) is unfolding before our eyes. In the near future, we will devote the “Tribulation” tab on our “Trending” menu to this emerging reality. As people continue to unplug from mainstream media, our commitment is to present the truth and encourage our audience to understand current events from a Biblical perspective. Click here to begin the journey.
The Watchman
In the Bible, the Watchman is responsible for keeping watch and warning others of potential danger or impending judgment. The role is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 33:6, God says to the prophet Ezekiel, “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.” Click here to begin the journey.
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