2 Corinthians 11:1-15
Q.1. What was Paul’s concern for the Corinthians? Why was he reluctant to speak about his credentials? What point was he making about ministering free of charge? – (2 Cor.11:1-11)
Paul had had the highest hopes for the Corinthians that he – might present them as a pure virgin to Christ (2 Cor.11:2). He was reluctant to speak, fearing that – … as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ (2 Cor.11:3). He feared that they had received a different gospel from the one that he had preached (2 Cor.11:4). He was afraid that these false leaders were preaching a gospel that had no power to save, but only to rob them of liberty. He admitted that even if his ministry lacked persuasion, nevertheless, he did not lack either knowledge of the truth, or the credentials of the most eminent apostles (2 Cor.11:5-6). He reminded the church that he had – 8 robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; 9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia, they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so (2 Cor.11:8-9). He asked why they thought he had operated this way – because I do not love you? God knows that I do (2 Cor.11:11). Surely this was tangible proof of his love for them.
Q.2. Why did Paul fund his own ministry? What do false workers gain from doing ministry? How do they operate in the church? Why did Paul try to expose them? – (2 Cor.11:11-15)
Paul had written to them earlier that it was acceptable for workers to be supported by the church (c.f. 1 Cor.9:8-14). However, many worked in a voluntary capacity because few churches could support their workers. For that reason, Paul refrained from accepting remuneration for his ministry but supported himself and often his companions (2 Cor.11:7-11 c.f. 2 Thes.3:7-9). It appears that Paul’s detractors were gaining a following because they were working free of charge (2 Cor.11:12). That is why he felt obliged to boast about his own ministry to them. However, Paul exposed them as – false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ (2 Cor11:13). He reminded them that this should come as no surprise since – even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor.11:14). False servants of Christ are always active, as Paul warned the Ephesian elders – I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, drawing away the disciples after them – Acts 20:29-30. We can recognize them because true servants draw people to follow Christ whereas false servants draw people to follow themselves.