Bullet Point Bible - 2 Corinthians 11

Paul's Reluctance and Jealousy for the Corinthians

¹ I wish that you would be patient with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you are being patient with me!² For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.³ But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.⁴ For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus different from the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the one you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough!⁵ For I consider myself not at all inferior to those "super-apostles."⁶ And even if I am unskilled in speaking, yet I am certainly not so in knowledge. Indeed, we have made this plain to you in everything in every way.

Paul adopts the persona of a "fool" ironically to engage with the criticisms against him and the boasting of his opponents.
His "godly jealousy" mirrors God's desire for exclusive faithfulness from His people, emphasizing the seriousness of spiritual fidelity (Exodus 20:5).
The metaphor of betrothing the church to Christ highlights the need for purity and undivided loyalty.
The reference to Eve's deception (Genesis 3) serves as a stark warning against the seductive nature of false teaching that can corrupt believers' minds.
Paul expresses concern that the Corinthians are too tolerant of teachings deviating from the authentic Jesus, Spirit, and gospel they initially received.
The term "super-apostles" (*hyperlian apostolōn*) is likely sarcastic, referring to the arrogant false teachers challenging Paul's authority in Corinth.
Paul asserts his apostolic equality, defending his legitimacy against these rivals.
He distinguishes between rhetorical skill (where he might seem lacking to some) and true spiritual knowledge (which he possesses and has shared).
This section reveals the core conflict: competing claims to apostolic authority and the danger of doctrinal deviation.
Paul's primary concern is the Corinthians' relationship with Christ, not his own reputation, though he must defend the latter to protect the former.

Paul Defends His Refusal of Support

⁷ Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you could be exalted, because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you free of charge?⁸ I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so that I could serve you!⁹ When I was with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia fully supplied my needs. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.¹¹ Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!¹² And what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a chance to be regarded as our equals in the things they boast about.¹³ For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.¹⁴ And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.¹⁵ Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.

Paul addresses the criticism that his refusal to take payment was somehow inappropriate or indicated a lack of authority.
He uses irony ("Did I commit a sin?") to highlight the absurdity of criticizing him for preaching freely.
His self-support, sometimes aided by other churches like those in Macedonia (e.g., Philippi), was a deliberate strategy in Corinth.
This strategy aimed to avoid any accusation of greed and to distinguish himself from teachers who likely sought financial gain.
Paul calls accepting support from others to serve the Corinthians "robbing" – strong language emphasizing the sacrifice made by other churches.
He vows to continue this practice in Achaia (the region including Corinth) to "eliminate any opportunity" for his opponents to claim equality with him on this matter.
Paul directly labels his opponents "false apostles" and "deceitful workers," exposing their true nature.
The comparison of these false apostles to Satan disguised as an "angel of light" underscores the deceptive and dangerous nature of their ministry.
Just as Satan presents evil as good, these teachers present false doctrine as truth.
Paul warns that their ultimate judgment ("end") will align with their deceitful actions ("actions").

Paul Embraces "Foolish" Boasting

¹⁶ I say again, let no one think that I am a fool. But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.¹⁷ What I am saying with this boastful confidence I do not say the way the Lord would. Instead it is, as it were, foolishness.¹⁸ Since many are boasting according to human standards, I too will boast.¹⁹ For since you are so wise, you put up with fools gladly.²⁰ For you put up with it if someone makes slaves of you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone behaves arrogantly toward you, if someone strikes you in the face.²¹ (To my disgrace I must say that we were too weak for that!) But whatever anyone else dares to boast about (I am speaking foolishly), I also dare to boast about the same thing.

Paul explicitly asks the Corinthians to tolerate his "foolishness," a rhetorical device he feels forced to adopt.
He acknowledges this mode of boasting is not directly commanded by or modeled after the Lord ("not... according to the Lord") but is a concession to the situation.
He justifies his boasting by pointing out that his opponents boast "according to the flesh"—based on worldly standards, external credentials, and self-promotion.
Paul employs sharp sarcasm, calling the Corinthians "wise" for tolerating fools, implying their judgment is flawed.
He lists the abusive behaviors the Corinthians endure from the false apostles: enslavement (likely spiritual or financial manipulation), exploitation ("devours"), taking advantage, arrogance, and even physical abuse ("strikes you in the face").
The list exposes the destructive nature of the "super-apostles" ministry.
Paul's concluding remark, "we were too weak for that!" is deeply ironic. He contrasts his own gentle, self-sacrificial approach with the domineering tactics of his rivals, turning the accusation of "weakness" on its head.
This section serves as a transition, setting the stage for Paul's own "boast," which will focus on suffering rather than strength.

Paul's Credentials: Sufferings and Labors

²¹ (To my disgrace I must say that we were too weak for that!) But whatever anyone else dares to boast about (I am speaking foolishly), I also dare to boast about the same thing.

Paul begins his counter-boast, matching his opponents' claims regarding Jewish heritage (Hebrew, Israelite, descendant of Abraham).
He quickly moves beyond heritage to service for Christ, claiming superiority not in status but in suffering and labor. His parenthetical remark ("I am talking like I am out of my mind!") shows his discomfort with this boasting.
The following verses provide a harrowing catalogue of Paul's sufferings for the gospel, serving as his apostolic credentials.
"Forty lashes minus one" refers to the maximum synagogue punishment allowed (Deuteronomy 25:3), inflicted five times.
Beatings with rods were a Roman punishment; stoning was a Jewish method (Acts 14:19); shipwrecks highlight travel dangers (cf. Acts 27).
The list covers a wide range of dangers: natural, human (robbers, countrymen, Gentiles), geographical (city, wilderness, sea), and relational ("false brothers").
Paul details the physical deprivations: intense labor, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, lack of clothing/shelter.
Beyond physical hardships, he emphasizes the immense emotional and spiritual burden of his "anxious concern for all the churches."
His rhetorical questions in v. 29 express deep empathy: he identifies with the weak and feels outrage ("burn with indignation") when others are led astray.
This list powerfully contrasts Paul's authentic, suffering-filled ministry with the likely self-serving, comfortable ministry of the false apostles. It redefines apostolic authority in terms of Christ-like sacrifice.

Boasting in Weakness: The Escape from Damascus

³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness.³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying.³² In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to arrest me,³³ but I was let down in a rope-basket through a window in the city wall, and escaped his hands.

Paul explicitly states the principle guiding his "boast": focusing on incidents that reveal his human weakness and vulnerability, not worldly strength.
He invokes God the Father as a solemn witness to the truthfulness of his account, underscoring the seriousness of his claims.
He chooses a specific, seemingly humiliating event to illustrate his point: his escape from Damascus early in his ministry (Acts 9:23-25).
King Aretas IV was the Nabatean king whose governor sought to arrest Paul. This places the event likely between AD 37-39.
Being lowered in a basket through a wall was an undignified escape, far from a heroic portrayal.
This incident perfectly encapsulates Paul's theme: God's power is perfected and demonstrated through human weakness and apparent disgrace.
It stands in stark contrast to the self-aggrandizing boasts his opponents likely made.
This final example of "boasting in weakness" serves as a bridge to Chapter 12, where Paul will discuss visions and revelations alongside his "thorn in the flesh."
True apostolic legitimacy, Paul argues, is found not in worldly power or prestige, but in faithfulness demonstrated through suffering and reliance on God.

Additional Content

²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.²³ Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like I am out of my mind!) I am even more so: with much greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with more severe beatings, facing death many times.²⁴ Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one.²⁵ Three times I was beaten with a rod. Once I received a stoning. Three times I suffered shipwreck. A night and a day I spent adrift in the open sea.²⁶ I have been on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own countrymen, in dangers from Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers from false brothers,²⁷ in hard work and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, many times without food, in cold and without enough clothing.²⁸ Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern for all the churches.²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with indignation?

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2 Corinthians 11