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2 Corinthians 11

33 verses

TL;DR

Paul defends his apostleship against false teachers while recounting his sufferings and the need for humility in boasting.

Summary

Paul begins by asking for patience with his humility and explains his jealousy over the Corinthians as his commitment to presenting them as a chaste virgin to Christ. He warns them not to be corrupted by other Jesus or other spirits, accusing those who preach a different gospel of being false apostles who deceitfully transform themselves. Paul then boasts of his own hardships—spite of his rude speech, his lack of payment from churches, and his perseverance in Achaia—yet claims he has never been burdensome. He explains that his preaching is free and that he has suffered many times, including shipwrecks, persecutions by various foes, and physical injuries. Paul emphasizes that his suffering is not for self‑promotion but to show the true nature of apostleship, contrasting himself with false workers. Finally, he recounts an escape from a Damascus governor, illustrating his danger and endurance.

Outline
  1. Paul’s defense of his apostolic authority and plea for patience
  2. Warning against false apostles and counterfeit teachings
  3. Paul’s portrayal of suffering, humility, and justification for self‑boasting
Themes
Apostleship authenticityFalse teaching and deceptionPersecution and personal sacrifice
Keywords
apostleshipfalse teacherspersecutionboastingfaithChristsuffering
People
PaulGodChristSatanAretas
Places
AchaiaMacedoniaDamascusDamasceneswilderness
Things
serpentEvespiritgospelapostleangellightwatershipwreckgarrison
Key Verses
  • 2 Cor 11:13: Paul explicitly labels the counterfeit apostles as deceitful workers, underscoring the danger of false teaching.
  • 2 Cor 11:32: The account of the Damascus escape highlights Paul’s vulnerability and the real threat he faces.
  • 2 Cor 11:1: The opening plea for patience introduces Paul’s self‑portrayal and sets the tone for the entire chapter.
Questions
  • In what ways does Paul balance humility with the need to defend his apostleship?
  • How does Paul’s experience of persecution shape his view of true Christian leadership?
  • What does Paul mean by presenting the Corinthians as a ‘chaste virgin’ to Christ?
  • Why does Paul emphasize the authenticity of his suffering in relation to his preaching?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter alternates between harsh warnings, expressions of suffering, and humble boasting, reflecting both conflict and resolve.