2Cor. 11:1 ¶ Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
This chapter starts off with Paul asking his readers for a little patience as he explains the need to defend his authority as an apostle. Unlike the false teachers who have impugned his reputation, his motives are for the benefit of the Corinthians believers—not to boast about himself. The Greek for “folly” makes reference to egotism. Paul doesn’t want to boast, but he feels the need to defend himself against the accusations being made against him.
2Cor. 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
2Cor. 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Paul clarifies the purpose for this section as his concern for the body of believers in Corinth. He loves them and is jealous for their spiritual welfare and the honor of Christ. Paul wants to present this body of believers to Christ as a clean, innocent and morally blameless (from the Greek for chaste) bride.
He uses Eve as an example of what he fears. The serpent was able to deceive Eve through cunning and trickery. He caused her to question what God had said. The false teachers that had come to Corinth were attempting the same type of attack—causing the believers to question the truth of God’s word as clearly taught them by Paul and trying to lure them into disobedience.
I like a quote from Tennyson that David Guzik used in reference to these false teachers: "A lie that is all of a lie can be met with and fought outright; But a lie that is partly the truth is a harder matter to fight."
Christ presented Himself clearly with wisdom and truth and without duplicity, and Paul had taught this body of believers in the same way.
Wiersbe: “True love is never envious, but it has a right to be jealous over those who are loved. A husband is jealous over his wife and rightfully resents and resists any rivalry that threatens their love for each other. A true patriot has every right to be jealous over his freedom and will fight to protect it. Likewise, a father (or a mother) is jealous over his or her children and seeks to protect them from anything that will harm them.”
2Cor. 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
I am reminded that the first thing the LORD warned His disciples about in His last major teaching was to beware of deception. That would include impostors claiming to be Christ and false prophets teaching heresy.
Matthew 24:4-5 & 11 “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many….And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”
Those who preach “another Jesus” are distorting the truth as declared by Jesus concerning Himself in His ministry. To receive “another spirit” can only be a reference to being seduced by evil spirits masquerading as “angels of light” according to the example of Satan as Paul explains later in this chapter.
“Another gospel” would include any salvation message that deviates from salvation as a gift of grace through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ on their behalf.
Paul is confident that the Corinthians had not been deceived as yet, but he was afraid that they were in danger of falling for someone who was charming and persuasive in his presentation of another Jesus through trickery of another spirit espousing another gospel (usually including works and to the profit of the false teacher).
The airwaves of America are saturated with just such false teachers utilizing the same methods—and Christians are ever in need of the same warning that Paul is giving the Corinthians. We are so in need of discernment!
2Cor. 11:5 ¶ For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
2Cor. 11:6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
My first thought after reading verse 5 was that Paul was declaring himself on par in authority with even those apostles credited with the most authority in the church. Other commentators seem to think that Paul is using a bit of sarcasm in declaring himself more trustworthy than any of the false teachers that are trying to discredit him. I think both trains of thought are possible and are statements of truth, but I still lean toward my first instinct.
Paul admits that he is not known for using great oratory, but that in no way reflects on his knowledge of the truth. Truth be told, the most effective teachers are those that can convey the truth with simplicity and clarity. Very often it is proven true that those who speak with the most eloquent flowery language are covering up for the fact that they really don’t know as much as people think they do.
Paul may not have been known for great oratorical skills, but his writing proves to this student of the word that he could have spoken in such a manner had he wanted. I believe he was more concerned with speaking the truth in simplicity and in the power of the Spirit. He was not concerned with making a reputation for himself; his desire was to honor God. I believe his words from 1Corinthians support this conclusion.
1 Corinthians 2:1–5 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
2Cor. 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
I think the NLT expresses Paul’s intent clearly: “Did I do wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return?”
2Cor. 11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
2Cor. 11:9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and sowill I keep myself.
Paul is not saying that he was a thief; he is just expressing the fact that he had accepted financial support from other churches that he used to support his ministry to the Corinthians. In fact, it seems that church leaders from Macedonia contributed as needed to meet Paul’s needs during his time in Corinth. Paul had taken great pains not to present himself as one using his ministry to profit self in a culture that was so focused on wealth and status. Furthermore, he intends to continue his ministry with that safeguard.
Calvin worded it this way: “…he had of his own accord made a surrender of his own greatness, that they might become great through his abasement. For his design was, that he might promote their salvation.”
I think it is important to note that Paul also worked as a tentmaker during his time of ministry in Corinth; he was not totally dependent upon support from the churches.
Acts 18:1–3 “After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.”
Paul set a great example for the body of believers. One should never be ashamed of making an honest living by working with his hands. Though that work may not always be sufficient for the need, God will provide for the needs of His servants.
Matthew 6:25–33 “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
One of the things we have to guard against most today is discernment regarding our “needs” and our “wants.”
2Cor. 11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
2Cor. 11:11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
2Cor. 11:12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
Why is Paul so intent to minister without the financial support of the Corinthians? Because he wanted to ensure that the people understood that he was presenting the truth to them in love; he was not using them for his own purposes and/or profit. His whole purpose was to present the gospel of Christ in a way that glorified God—not Paul. He was drawing a clear distinction between the way he ministered and the methods used by the false teachers.
2Cor. 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Cor. 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Cor. 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
In this section of verses, Paul continues to emphasize the rationale behind his method of ministry. He is determined to serve the people in a way that distinctly separates him from how the false teachers operate. The false teachers try to deceive the people by presenting themselves as possessing like authority as the true apostles of Christ. Paul goes on to reason that is to be expected. Even Satan knows that his best chance of succeeding in his deception is to pretend to be serving in the name of the LORD. It is to be expected that those who follow Satan will imitate his style of ministry.
I thought this quote from Calvin to be quite telling: “It is a well known saying as to Babylon, that she gives poison to drink in a golden cup.”
This section ends with a very subtle statement of the end result of the deceitful ministry of false teachers; it will be according to their works. They will not be able to find salvation in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
Paul addresses this point more directly in his letters to the Philippians and Ephesians.
Philippians 3:17–19 “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
2Cor. 11:16 ¶ I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
2Cor. 11:17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
2Cor. 11:18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
After reading through several translations, it seems to me that Paul is asking the Corinthians to at least give him the same consideration they would give a “fool.” When I looked at the Greek for this word, the word “egotistic” jumped out at me. I think that is probably the intent since that seems to put him in the same category as the false teachers that are attacking him. In other words, Paul is asking the Corinthians to at least afford him the same attention they are affording the false teachers.
I think the following verses also support this understanding since Paul is declaring that he has much to boast about from a worldly perspective. He is careful to declare that he knows this boasting is not how the LORD would have him present himself.
2Cor. 11:19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
2Cor. 11:20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
After looking at the Greek for “wise,” the word conceited jumped out at me. It seems that Paul is being pretty direct in identifying one of the weaknesses evident in this body of believers; they had quite a high opinion of themselves. It is an interesting human characteristic that those who are conceited are often drawn to others of the same ilk. In fact, they are easier prey for those who present themselves as even more important or conceited. It’s the old peer pressure scenario and the adolescent desire to be part of the “in crowd.” And we all know that these issues are rooted in a perception of appearances. That is how men like James Jones and Marshall Applewhite are able to get people to commit suicide.
As I was reading through this section again, I also couldn’t help but think of the abusive actions utilized by one of the recent darlings of Christendom, Todd Bentley. I just don’t understand how people can allow themselves to be deceived by such a person. As with the false teachers in Corinth, he evidently has the charisma to deceive people with an attitude of confidence and authority. (A Google search will list many revealing articles and videos about this man.)
2Cor. 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
The translations of this verse are a bit bewildering. They seem to indicate that Paul is apologizing for being too weak to utilize the same psychological ploys. I think it is more a statement of apology for showing too much forbearance in making quick accusation of these false teachers. In doing so, it had possibly made him appear weak in comparison.
2Cor. 11:22 ¶ Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Now we come to the record of Paul’s “boastings.” First, he establishes his credentials from a Jewish perspective; those who are making false accusations against him are Jews. Paul’s writings make it clear that he is proud of his Jewish heritage and burdened for his people.
Romans 10:1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
Romans 9:1–4 “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises….”
2Cor. 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Paul’s accusers say that they are ministers of Christ, but Paul is confident that their lives do not testify to the validity of their claims. His testimony, however, consists of a long list of experiences that give evidence to his faith. In general, he has worked very hard in obedience to his commission. He has been beaten many times, imprisoned many times, and suffered to the point of death many times.
“I speak as a fool” = equating his speech to how the false teachers speak
2Cor. 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2Cor. 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2Cor. 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2Cor. 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Now Paul gets a bit more specific.
He had been beaten with 39 stripes by the Jewish leaders five different times.
He had been beaten with rods three times.
He had been stoned once.
He had been shipwrecked three times.
He had survived a night and day in the ocean.
He had logged many miles of travel during his ministry.
He had experienced danger from flooding, from encountering robbers, from angry Jews, from angry Gentiles, from angry city mobs, from exposure and hazards related to wilderness travel, from dangers encountered traveling on the seas, and from hypocrites claiming to be fellow believers.
He had suffered much weariness, pain, loss of sleep, hunger and thirst and times of having no food at all, and lack of sufficient clothing and protection from the cold.
I couldn’t help but wonder how many believers today would be able to give a similar testimony of faith and endurance if confronted with a similar series of trials and testing. Most importantly, could I?
2Cor. 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
2Cor. 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
Not only did Paul have to contend with physical trials and testing, he carried a continual burden of concern for the churches to which he ministered. Paul had invested of himself in these churches and is personally affected when he hears of their suffering or of their falling into sin.
I like the wording of the CJB for verse 29: “Who is weak without my sharing his weakness? Who falls into sin without my burning inside?”
Courson: “I believe the to the degree to which we understand the reality of eternity, the potency of the gospel, and the mystery of God’s mercy is the degree to which, like Paul, we will say, ‘I’m going for it recklessly, wholeheartedly, whatever the cost might be.’”
Courson: “Compassion is the result of contemplation. It was as Jesus sat on the hillside and looked at the city that He wept with compassion (Luke 19:41). So, too, it is in our own times of contemplation—when we quietly consider the plight of the people in the car next to us as we drive on the freeway, or the destiny of the person ahead of us in line at the supermarket—that the Lord can begin to work within us a heart of compassion….If we fail to stop and sit, to think and pray, to listen and worship, our eyes get dry and our hearts become callused.”
2Cor. 11:30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
I think Paul is saying that rather than boast (from the Greek for glory) in what others might consider his accomplishments, he would rather boast of his weaknesses. In other words, he was aware that only “in Christ” could he do anything.
2 Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”
2Cor. 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
Paul is not speaking with a sense of false humility. He is just speaking the simple truth and can confidently call on God as his witness.
At this point, he emphasizes that the God he serves is the Father of “our” LORD Jesus Christ. This is a strong statement of the authority of the Savior with the strong implication that the Corinthians needed that reminder. It was God’s word that carried authority, not the message of the false teachers that were making accusations against Paul.
2Cor. 11:32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
2Cor. 11:33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
This chapter closes with an account of Paul’s escape from Damascus to get away from the king’s appointed governor who was determined to imprison him. I think he considered this an example of his weakness, since he chose to escape rather than face the governor. The faith of this new believer would grow exponentially with each persecution he faced.
I looked ahead to chapter 12, and I think he purposed to tell about this humbling experience depicting his weakness before relating his amazing heavenly experience in that chapter.
2Cor. 12:1 ¶ It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
This verse in the King James is certainly not easily understood, several other translations support the NLT: “This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord.”
“visions” = “visuality, i.e. (concretely) an apparition….” from the root that states, “to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable….”
“revelations” = “disclosure:—appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation….” from the root that states, “to take off the cover, i.e. disclose:—reveal.”
Revelations of truth can be made without benefit of visual aid, but I think every teacher would affirm that teaching reinforced with visual aids often enhance the student’s understanding.
Paul is careful to declare that though he was not a disciple of Jesus while He walked this earth, he too received personal instruction from the LORD.
2Cor. 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2Cor. 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2Cor. 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Paul here describes an experience of being caught up to the third heaven, but he is not sure whether it was a physical or out of body experience. He is certain that the experience was of the LORD, but he admits that only God knows the reality of that experience. We are also told that this experience took place over 14 years previous to this letter.
Courson: “From the Book of Acts, we know that fourteen years prior to this, Paul had been left for dead after being stoned in the city of Lystra. It seems certain that this is the backdrop for the text before us.”
The phrase “not with flesh and blood” is emphasizing that his instruction was of divine origin.
The next observation I made is that Paul equates the third heaven with paradise. The Greek connects “paradise” with Eden as connotative of a place of happiness. It seems obvious that Paul is speaking of a heavenly experience in the presence of God. I’ve often heard the atmosphere we breathe described as the first heaven, outer space where the planets and stars are as the second heaven, and God’s dwelling place as the third heaven.
Paul’s experience in paradise was marked as special because of “unspeakable words” that he heard while there. It seems that Paul was helpless to verbalize what he heard there with human language; and even if he could, he wouldn’t, because he was not permitted.
It’s interesting to note that when Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross, He told the thief that he would be with Him in paradise that very day.
Luke 23:42–43 “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Paul seems to affirm that when the LORD took captivity captive, He took “paradise” to the third heaven.
Ephesians 4:7–10 “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”
2Cor. 12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
2Cor. 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
In verse 5, Paul seems to be saying that though he is boasting about the experience in defense of the accusations made against him, he is not boasting to draw glory to himself. He admits that in the flesh he is tempted to draw glory to himself, but he knows that would be foolish. Still, he affirms that he is telling the truth; but he doesn’t want anyone to think of him other than what he is—a dedicated servant of God. Paul’s desire was to bring glory to God through the message he preached and the ways he served the body of believers.
With these words Paul is clearly showing a difference between himself and those making accusation against him. They were quick to boast about anything they thought would make them more popular among the masses. Again, I can’t help but make comparisons between the faithful servants of God today who labor without regard to self vs. those who exalt themselves before the public as specially anointed prophets and/or ministers.
2Cor. 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Paul understood that he was especially blessed among men to have been given many divine revelations from God. In fact, the LORD specifically afflicted Paul with a “thorn in the flesh” that he defined as “the messenger of Satan” that caused him constant suffering. This thorn was meant to keep Paul humble before the LORD in light of his special blessings. The fact that the thorn is described as “in the flesh” seems to indicate that it was a physical affliction, but it could just be a reference to his humanity. Describing this thorn as a “messenger of Satan” seems to imply that Paul was singled out to have a specific fallen angel or demon continually working against him in the spiritual realm to impact his physical ministry to the body of Christ. We know from the book of Job that Satan has limited powers regarding the ability to cause physical disease, so it could be that this is a reference to a recurring physical affliction.
I thought the words of Spurgeon quite insightful as to why Paul’s thorn was not identified in scripture: “God wanted everyone with any kind of thorn in the flesh to be able to put themselves in Paul's shoes.”
2Cor. 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Cor. 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Cor. 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Paul’s thorn caused him such discomfort that he asked the LORD three times to take it away from him, but God refused. He told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him to be able to endure the suffering. In fact, God’s power is most effective when allowed to function through the weakest of humans. Why would that be? Because then it is obvious that the results are due to the power of God and not to the power or influence of the person. Understanding that truth caused Paul to change his attitude to one of being proud to be accounted worthy to suffer in any way that would result in bringing glory to Christ. He finally understood that when at his weakest in the flesh, he was positioned to show himself strongest in the LORD.
“infirmities” = “feebleness (of mind or body)…disease…sickness.”
“reproaches” = “insolence (as over-bearing), i.e. insult, injury:—harm, hurt….”
“necessities” = “constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication, distress…”
“persecutions” = “the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed”
“distresses” = “narrowness of room, i.e. (figuratively) calamity:—anguish….”
I like David Guzik’s comments regarding the sufficiency of God’s grace: “But there are two ways of taking away a burden. It can be done by removing the load, or it can be done by strengthening the shoulder bearing the load. Instead of taking away the thorn, God would strengthen Paul under it, and God would show His strength through Paul's apparent weakness.”
It is important to note that Paul’s experience flies in the face of the “name it, claim it” teachings popular today. It also reveals the fact that it is sometimes according to God’s will to work through the believer through suffering. It also refutes the teaching that all sickness and/or affliction is a result of sin.
One more important truth—The LORD is ever in sovereign control over the forces of Satan.
I like these comments from JFB: “The Lord has more need of our weakness than of our strength: our strength is often His rival; our weakness, His servant, drawing on His resources, and showing forth His glory. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity; man’s security is Satan’s opportunity. God’s way is not to take His children out of trial, but to give them strength to bear up against it.”
Wiersbe: “When you walk along the shore of the ocean, you notice that the rocks are sharp in the quiet coves, but polished in those places where the waves beat against them. God can use the “waves and billows” of life to polish us, if we will let Him.”
2Cor. 12:11 ¶ I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
2Cor. 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Paul does not like it that he has felt forced to boast of his experiences in defense of the accusations of the false teachers that were trying to increase their influence among the Christians in Corinth at his expense. He feels that the believers in Corinth should have defended him in light of the signs, wonders and mighty deeds he had performed among them—actions that gave proof of his apostleship. This implies that these actions were unique to apostles and necessary to authenticate their ministry as the early church was taking form.
Paul is careful to note that though he can rightfully claim his place among those considered the “chiefest apostles,” he is nothing but a vessel in the hands of the LORD.
“in patience” – The Greek makes application to endurance and perseverance. This would seem to imply in light of great opposition.
2Cor. 12:13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
Paul is saying that the main difference in his ministry in Corinth from that in other churches is that he completely supported himself; he purposed not to be a burden on them in any way. If that was wrong, he is very sorry.
I know that Paul often plied his trade as a tentmaker, but evidently he usually also received some support from the believers among whom he ministered. Since the people of Corinth were so materialistic, I think Paul decided to be extra careful to present himself as totally without financial motives for his ministry.
Why did Paul reference this as an inferior form of ministry? I think because it did not allow the believers there to have a part in what was accomplished and experience the reward that comes with sacrificial giving.
2Cor. 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
2Cor. 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
Paul reveals his plan to come to Corinth for the third time. He declares that once again he will not be a burden to them because he is not seeking to profit from them. Then he gives reasoning to help them understand his mindset. Children are not meant to store up treasures for their parents; parents are to sacrifice to provide support to their children. As their spiritual father, Paul is ready to sacrifice himself in every way to promote their spiritual well being. Sadly, he has to acknowledge that, so far, the more he sacrifices to show his love for them, the less they seem to appreciate it.
It is so true that so often we are prone to take for granted the sacrifices that are made on our behalf. Especially in America today, even in the church, we have a culture of expectation rather than appreciation.
2Cor. 12:16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
The different translations all have different shades of meaning with this verse. The insight expressed in the NIV Commentary made sense to me in light of upcoming verses: “The rumor had circulated at Corinth that because Paul was unscrupulous by nature, he was exploiting the church’s generosity and trying to gain surreptitiously through his agents what he had declined to accept personally. What Paul almost certainly has in mind here is the collection for the poor at Jerusalem, which some charged was a convenient way to fulfill his covert wish to live at the church’s expense.”
Let’s be clear in understanding that Paul was not admitting to using deceit in ministry. That would be contradictory to the teachings of the LORD. He is obviously responding to false allegations by the false teachers in Corinth.
I liked this statement by Calvin: “It is customary for the wicked impudently to impute to the servants of God, whatever they would themselves do, if they had it in their power.”
2Cor. 12:17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
2Cor. 12:18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
These verses are directly linked to the previous one. Paul is basically saying that he did not profit from any individual that he had sent to minister to them. He reminded them of the ministry of Titus and his ministry partner. He knew that Titus had served them with the same spirit that he had. Evidently Titus was not being attacked, and Paul is pointing out that he and Titus had served them in the same way.
2Cor. 12:19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
Paul is basically saying that he and those that minister with him have no need to defend their ministry to the Corinthians before God. In fact, they acknowledge God as their witness that their goal is for the edification of the believers—the desire to build them up in their faith. This is in direct contrast to the false teachers who were motivated toward profiting from them.
I believe herein lies the great identifying factor of many false teachers today. Examination of their ministry gives testimony to luxuriant lifestyles maintained through the fleecing of the professing body of believers. They are obviously focused on self. If their focus were truly on ministry as exampled by Christ, they would be dying to self in service to others before the LORD.
2Cor. 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
2Cor. 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
I liked the wording of the NLT for the first part of verse 20: “For I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won’t like what I find, and then you won’t like my response.”
This implies that Paul is not planning on acting with political correctness or catering to the desires of the people. He plans on confronting specific sin according to the truth of scripture. Because many pastors today no longer follow Paul’s example, this has become a major reason for spiritual weakness in the body of believers.
Paul is fearful of finding that the Corinthian church is more identified with the deeds of the flesh than of the fruits of the Spirit. It would humble Paul to find that those in whom he had invested so much of himself were not producing spiritual fruit and, in fact, were still serving the flesh.
Helpful insights from the Greek & Webster:
“debates” = quarrels and contentions
“envyings” = the zeal of an enemy, jealousy
“wraths” = uncontrolled anger
“strifes” = intrigue or scheming and contention
“backbitings” = defamation, evil speaking
“whisperings” = slander
“swellings” = haughtiness, pride
“tumults” = instability, disorder, confusion
“uncleanness” = physical or moral impurity
“fornication” = adultery and incest, idolatry
“lasciviousness” = filthy, wantonness, lewd, lustful