2 Corinthians 11

1. 2 Corinthians 11

2. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 • In verse 2 Paul expressed his goal toward the Corinthians in a rather unusual yet wonderful way. Explain. • He wanted to present the Corinthians as a virgin bride to her husband, Christ.

3. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 • What was Paul afraid of? Look at each of these phrases: • (4a) “[another] Jesus” • (4b) “a different spirit” • (4c) “a different gospel” • (5) “super-apostles”

4. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 • What was Paul afraid of? Look at each of these phrases: • (4a) “[another] Jesus” The Corinthians were worshiping Jesus but distorting his teachings. • (4b) “a different spirit” • (4c) “a different gospel” • (5) “super-apostles”

5. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 • What was Paul afraid of? Look at each of these phrases: • (4a) “[another] Jesus” The Corinthians were worshiping Jesus but distorting his teachings. • (4b) “a different spirit” The Corinthians were receiving another spirit, the spirit of the law, not the spirit of Christ. • (4c) “a different gospel” • (5) “super-apostles”

6. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 • What was Paul afraid of? Look at each of these phrases: • (4a) “[another] Jesus” The Corinthians were worshiping Jesus but distorting his teachings. • (4b) “a different spirit” The Corinthians were receiving another spirit, the spirit of the law, not the spirit of Christ. • (4c) “a different gospel” The Corinthians were accepting a different gospel, which is really a new form of the law. • (5) “super-apostles”

7. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 • What was Paul afraid of? Look at each of these phrases: • (4a) “[another] Jesus” The Corinthians were worshiping Jesus but distorting his teachings. • (4b) “a different spirit” The Corinthians were receiving another spirit, the spirit of the law, not the spirit of Christ. • (4c) “a different gospel” The Corinthians were accepting a different gospel, which invariably would be a new form of the law. • (5) “super-apostles” They were following other “apostles” rather than their true father, Paul.

8. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 • How Paul supported himself while he worked among the Corinthians had become a point of contention for the “super-apostles.” Explain Paul’s policy toward compensation from those he served. (verses 7-10) • He refused to take money from the Corinthians so that it did not appear he was preaching for money. • Because Paul followed this practice, the super-apostles were evidently accusing Paul of something. What was it? Can you figure out why they would make this accusation? (11) • They accused Paul of not loving the Corinthians. It seems they were saying that Paul didn’t consider his message very important, for if he did, he would demand pay.

9. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 • Paul said he would continue to refuse pay. Why? (12) • To avoid being lumped with the super-apostles so that they would not be considered equal in any way. • Paul unmasked the super-apostles. With whom were they allied? (13-14) • They were allied with Satan.

10. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 • Why do people turn to “another Jesus” or to “other gospels”? • People want to find salvation by their works and look for teachings to support that desire. • Why is it not surprising that Satan’s followers disguise themselves as angels of light? • Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

11. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 Summary • Paul rebuked the Corinthians for being easily swayed by the super-apostles.

12. 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 • Paul was being forced to “boast.” Why? (16-21) • The super-apostles were boasting about their spiritual strength and wisdom. (18) If Paul remained quiet, it would seem as if he was giving in to them.

13. 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 • Review the list of things Paul boasted about. What should this list lead the Corinthians to conclude about Paul? about the super-apostles? (22-33) • Paul had endured much for the sake of the gospel. His background as a Pharisee, the persecution he endured, the natural disasters he faced, and his intense care for the churches proved his sincerity and willingness to do anything for the Lord and his church. No super-apostle could come close to this. They were enemies of the truth.

14. 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 • What phrases in these verses tell us that Paul was very uncomfortable boasting like this? • In verse 21 Paul said he was “speaking as a fool.” In verse 23 he said, “I am out of my mind to talk like this.” • Everything Paul boasted about displayed his weaknesses. Why would Paul want to display his weaknesses and not his strengths? • The super-apostles no doubt boasted about their strong points: wisdom, speaking ability, and so on. But Paul, even in his boasting, wanted God’s grace and glory to shine in spite of Paul’s own weakness.

15. 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 • How does verse 29 advise us to help people in their physical or spiritual problems? • If we support people in their time of weakness and agonize over their sin with a view to helping them, we will truly bear one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

16. 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Summary • Paul was forced to boast about what he suffered for the Lord. If he had remained silent, he would have been understood as saying the super-apostles and their gospel were true.