2 Coríntios 11
Leon Morris · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 11
Morris - Betrothed. The true church of Christ, encompassing all who have received Him as Savior and Lord, is also called the bride of Christ. Paul, as the spiritual "father" of the Corinthian Christians, desired to present his "daughter" pure and whole to the heavenly Bridegroom when He comes to claim her and take her to His Father's house, where He has prepared "mansions" for her (John 14:2,3). There are numerous other references to this unique espousal relation of the church to Christ (Jn 3:29; Eph 5:31,32; Rev 19:7-9; Rev 21:2,9), as well as numerous Old Testament references to Israel as the wife of Jehovah (Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19). (See Israel, the bride of Jehovah) One husband - The emphasis is on the fact that there is one person and ONLY ONE to Whom the Corinthians (and us beloved) owe their (our) allegiance! Henry Morris - pure virgin - The very fact that the New Testament writers use the engagement relationship of the Bride to the Bridegroom as a representation of the ideal relation of the church to Christ proves unequivocally that each human bride should come to her marriage as a chaste virgin; the same is equally true of the bridegroom. This is surely the best foundation for a godly home. God can and does forgive repentant sinners, but it is far better--especially in marriage--if this sin has never been committed at all. Believer's Study Bible - (vv. 2-4) Paul's models for ministry in 2 Corinthians are twofold: (1) an ambassador (2Co 5:18-21) and (2) a parent (2Co 11:2-4; 2Co 12:14). More specifically, in this text, Paul views himself as a father who lovingly and caringly seeks to nurture and mature his virgin daughter (the Corinthians) so as to someday present her, pure and undefiled, to a husband (Christ). By implication, as one reads between the lines, Paul views the false teachers as deceptive suitors who would violate his daughter and rob her of her precious virginity and purity through their proclamations of "another Jesus," a "different spirit," and a "different gospel." Doctrinal purity and discernment is deemed crucial. Paul's image is a powerful statement of his great love and concern for the Corinthian church. Storms - On the marriage metaphor, see Isa. 50:1; 54:1-6; Ezek. 16; Hosea 1-3; Eph. 5:22-23; Rev. 19:7; 21:2,9; 22:17. Paul is concerned lest they become spiritually promiscuous during the period of engagement. He envisions himself as "The Father of the Bride" (!) who longs to present the Corinthian church as a chaste virgin to her bridegroom, Jesus. While human jealousy is sinful and self-focused, godly jealousy is holy and Savior focused. Alan Redpath, former pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago, explains "God’s jealousy is love in action. He refuses to share the human heart with any rival, not because He is selfish and wants us all for Himself, but because He knows that upon that loyalty to Him depends our very moral life … God is not jealous of us: He is jealous for us....God’s jealousy, therefore, is a concern for the holiness, integrity, purity of ethics, and Christian standards for His people. Because of this, He will refuse to brook a rival in our affections for Him, not because of a selfish greed which wishes us all for His own possession, but simply because He knows that His great purpose for us of purity and holiness of life depends on our personal surrender and submission to His purpose.” (Law and Liberty)
2 Coríntios 11
Morris - Paul here asserts and confirms that the Genesis record of Eve's temptation and fall is true and historical, not allegorical. The "serpent" in Genesis is explicitly identified as Satan, the arch deceiver (2 Corinthians 11:14), who turned Adam's bride against her Maker, in similar fashion to what he was now doing at Corinth, using false apostles (instead of a serpent's body) to turn His espoused Bride away from the soon-coming Bridegroom (Revelation 12:9). Storms - The symbolism of v. 3 must be noted: "Eve represents the church at Corinth and the serpent those 'ministers of Satan,' the 'superlative' apostles (v. 5), who have come preaching 'another Jesus,' to divert the Corinthians from the Christ to whom Paul had joined them" (Barnett, 501).Note Paul's emphasis on the importance of the "mind". The simplicity and purity of their devotion or love for Christ issues from their minds! What one thinks about Jesus, how you understand or envision him, in a word, your Christology, is key to your Christian life and love. Paul knew the fate of Eve when tempted by the lie "you surely will not die" (Ge 3:4) for the serpent of old surrounded this lie with half truths and thus was able to deceive Eve and plunge the entire human race into sin and death! The believers in Corinth were in danger of a similar deception by Satan's messengers, who understood the truth of Tennyson's lines... “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.” -- Alfred, Lord Tennyson ILLUSTRATION - Caveat Emptor is Latin for "Let the buyer beware." On the Today Show, August 17, 2012, Kerry Sanders interviewed Ken Perenyi. Perenyi’s paintings have hung in museums and made him millions from their sale. Now it seems he has a pass into a celebrity status as he confesses the secrets of his activity for over three decades in his memoir titled, Caveat Emptor: The Secret Life of an American Art Forger. While it might not be a crime to imitate or copy great works of art as long as you make it clear that is the case. Apparently, Perenyi’s artwork was so convincing that people assumed they were originals and he let the buyers believe what they wanted. In reading Ken Perenyi’s book or any other book written by man we should practice Caveat Lector or “Let the reader beware.” The original con artist is Lucifer, Satan, the Devil, and the Serpent in the Garden. Someone quipped, “The Devil is an artist: he paints sin in very attractive colors....It is critically important to practice Caveat Qui Credit or “Let the believer beware.”” (Franklin Kirksey) Serpent (3789)(ophis) means snakes or serpents generally feared by Near Eastern peoples for their cunning and deadliness. Evil individuals were often compared to serpents because of their malicious natures (cf. Psalms 58:4; 140:3; Matthew 23:33). Some ancient religions regarded the serpent as a symbol of chaos. They were also described as deities in the underworld—demonic beings—as well as creatures that brought life into existence. In the Septuagint ophis most often transliterates the Hebrew nāchāsh, “snake,” though it describes no specific species. It also refers to the serpent as an image of the creature which does man the most ultimate evil: Satan. In Genesis 3 Satan used the serpent in tempting Eve to rebel against God which brought about the fall of man. Satan, the archenemy of both God and man, is represented by the serpent or dragon (Isaiah 27:1). New Testament writers maintained this symbolic link between the evil serpent and the devil. The apostle Paul linked the serpent in Eden with the devil who continues to hate mankind and lead him astray (Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 11:3). John wrote pictorially of the fifth and sixth plagues describing destructive serpents which God will send to earth (Revelation 9:19). Finally, the serpent or Satan himself will be overcome by God’s power (Revelation 20). Ophis - 14v - Matt. 7:10; Matt. 10:16; Matt. 23:33; Mk. 16:18; Lk. 10:19; Lk. 11:11; Jn. 3:14; 1 Co. 10:9; 2 Co. 11:3; Rev. 9:19; Rev. 12:9; Rev. 12:14; Rev. 12:15; Rev. 20:2 Septuagint - Gen. 3:1; Gen. 3:2; Gen. 3:4; Gen. 3:13; Gen. 3:14; Gen. 49:17; Exod. 4:3; Exod. 4:17; Exod. 7:15; Num. 21:6; Num. 21:7; Num. 21:8; Num. 21:9; Deut. 8:15; 2 Ki. 18:4; Job 20:16; Ps. 58:4; Ps. 140:3; Prov. 23:32; Prov. 30:19; Eccl. 10:8; Eccl. 10:11; Isa. 14:29; Isa. 27:1; Isa. 65:25; Jer. 8:17; Jer. 46:22; Amos 5:19; Mic. 7:17; Craftiness (3834) panourgia from pas = all + ergon = work) is literally "all working" or capable of all work. In the NT it takes on a negative meaning and conveys the ideas of trickery involving cunning, cleverness, craftiness or treachery. Panourgia conveys the the idea of clever manipulation of error to make it look like the truth. Someone who practiced panourgia would be willing to do anything to achieve his goals. Panourgia is the unscrupulousness that stops at nothing. 5v in NT - Lk. 20:23; 1 Co. 3:19; 2 Co. 4:2; 2 Co. 11:3; Eph. 4:14 Deceived (1818) (exapatao from ek = intensifies meaning of root + apatáo = seduce, deceive - see study of related word apate) means to beguile thoroughly, deceive completely or seduce (persuade to disobedience, lead astray by persuasion or false promises) wholly. The result is to lead astray. To cause a subject to believe or accept false ideas about something with the implication of that one is led out of the right way into error and especially to sin (see 1Cor 11:3, 1Ti 2:14). Apatao and its derivatives indicate ethical enticement… Deception sometimes comes from within, as our desires impel us to deceive. But more often in the NT, deceit is error urged by external evil powers or by those locked into the world's way of thinking. Rom. 7:11; Rom. 16:18; 1 Co. 3:18; 2 Co. 11:3; 2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 2:14 Minds (3540) noema from noéo = perceive in turn from noús = mind) is literally the result of the activity of the "nous" or mind, that part of man which thinks. Noema means that which is thought (a thought), perceived with the mind (a mental perception), understood, pondered, or considered.2 Co. 2:11; 2 Co. 3:14; 2 Co. 4:4; 2 Co. 10:5; 2 Co. 11:3; Phil. 4:7 Led astray (5351) phtheiro from phthío or phthíno = waste, decay, wither, pine away) means to cause harm to in a physical manner or in outward circumstances. To shrivel, to wither, to spoil. It means to ruin or destroy something with the implication of causing something to be corrupt and cease to exist. To destroy by corrupting. To pine or waste away. To corrupt in the sense of degeneration. In the opinion of the Jews, the temple was corrupted or "destroyed" when anyone defiled or in the slightest degree damaged anything in it, or if its guardians neglected their duties Friberg - ruin, destroy; (1) in relation to outward circumstances ruin, corrupt, cause harm to ; (2) in morals and religion seduce, corrupt, mislead (Rev 19.2; 2Co 7.2); passive be led astray (2C 11.3); be corrupt, be depraved ( Eph 4.22); (3) of God's eternal punishment destroy (1Co 3.17b) All NT uses - 1Co. 3:17; 1Co. 15:33; 2Co. 7:2; 2Co. 11:3; Ep 4:22; 2Pe 2:12; Jude 1:10; Rev. 19:2 Simplicity (572) haplotes from a = negation + pleko = twine, braid, weave, knit) means singleness, simplicity, uprightness, mental honesty; the virtue of one who is free from pretence and dissimulation. Haplotes pertains to being motivated by singleness of purpose so as to be open and aboveboard, without guile, and without a hidden agenda. The idea of haplotes is that of personal integrity expressed in word or action. Singleness of heart "states the spirit in which the obedience was to be rendered,—not in formality, pretence, or hypocrisy, but in inward reality and sincerity, and with an undivided heart” 7v in NT - Ro 12:8; 2Co. 8:2; 2Co. 9:11; 2Co. 9:13; 2Co. 11:3; Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22 Purity (54) hagnotes from hagnos - chaste, In religious language it is primarily an attribute of deity; then it refers to things having some relation to the deity) means purity, sincerity, a quality of behavior that is morally clean, blamelessness. 2x - 2 Co. 6:6; 2 Co. 11:3 Beware! Take heed that you not be deceived. —Luke 21:8 Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 Some time ago an acquaintance of mine was “taken in” by a smooth-talking salesman who stopped at his place of business. The man displayed some attractive jewelry which he said he had purchased at a tremendous discount. He was especially proud of some very expensive-looking watches that had a well-known name on the dials. My friend was very impressed and bought several watches. But after the peddler left, he examined his “bargains” more carefully and was surprised to discover that the trademark was not that of a famous brand after all. Two letters in the name were different, but the print was so small he hadn’t noticed it before. The watch straps were not genuine leather but “genuine lizard,” and on the back of the cases were the words “Swiss base metal.” O grant us grace, Almighty Lord, To read and mark Your holy Word, Its truths with meekness to receive, And by its holy precepts live. —Beddome Examine all teaching in the light of God's Word. Satan's Disguises I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted. —2 Corinthians 11:3 Today's Scripture: 1 John 2:15-29 It’s often difficult to understand why people give in to certain temptations. From our vantage point, their problem should be easy to handle. We may even wonder how Adam and Eve could have been so foolish as to have thrown aside all that God had given them in the morning of their existence. We would not have fallen so easily—or would we? Part of the problem is that the tempter wears a disguise when he slithers into our lives. As Mephistopheles says in the drama Faust, “People do not know the devil is there even when he has them by the throat.” The Bible tells us that the serpent was “more cunning than any beast of the field” (Gen. 3:1). No ominous hissing or rattling warned of danger. He didn’t ask, “Pardon me, may I have 20 minutes to destroy your life?” Public Enemy No. 1 uses the same tactics today as he did back then. God’s Word warns us that Satan dresses as an angel of light, and his cohorts appear as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:14-15). We must be vigilant to prevent such a crafty deceiver from sneaking into our lives. When sin entices and allures, Its lies must be ignored; The strength to gain the victory Comes when we trust the Lord. —Sper We need to know God's truth to expose Satan's lies. Play and ponder the words of this great classic by Martin Luther... A MIGHTY FORTRESS A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever. 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. KJV 2 Corinthians 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. NET 2 Corinthians 11:4 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! BGT 2 Corinthians 11:4 εἰ μὲν γὰρ ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἄλλον Ἰησοῦν κηρύσσει ὃν οὐκ ἐκηρύξαμεν, ἢ πνεῦμα ἕτερον λαμβάνετε ὃ οὐκ ἐλάβετε, ἢ εὐαγγέλιον ἕτερον ὃ οὐκ ἐδέξασθε, καλῶς ἀνέχεσθε. DARBY For if indeed he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or ye get a different Spirit, which ye have not got, or a different glad tidings, which ye have not received, ye might well bear with it. Moffatt You put up with it all right, when some interloper preaches a second Jesus (not the Jesus I preached), or when you are treated to a Spirit different from the Spirit you once received, and to a different gospel from what I gave you! Why not put up with me? EMPH For if､ indeed､ he that cometh is proclaiming another Jesus､ Whom we have not proclaimed, Or a different Spirit ye are receiving､ Which ye had not received, Or a different glad-message､ Which ye have never welcomed Ye are well bearing. NLT 2 Corinthians 11:4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. ESV 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. NIV 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. YLT 2 Corinthians 11:4 for if, indeed, he who is coming doth preach another Jesus whom we did not preach, or another Spirit ye receive which ye did not receive, or other good news which ye did not accept -- well were ye bearing it, ASV 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him. CSB 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly! MIT 2 Corinthians 11:4 For example, if an interloper drops in and proclaims another Jesus in contrast to Jesus we preached, or if you take on a different spirit from what you received, or a different gospel from the good news you accepted, you take it all in stride quite well. NKJ 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-- you may well put up with it! NRS 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you submit to it readily enough. NAB 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough. NJB 2 Corinthians 11:4 Because any chance comer has only to preach a Jesus other than the one we preached, or you have only to receive a spirit different from the one you received, or a gospel different from the one you accepted -- and you put up with that only too willingly. GWN 2 Corinthians 11:4 When someone comes to you telling about another Jesus whom we didn't tell you about, you're willing to put up with it. When you receive a spirit that is different from the Spirit you received earlier, you're also willing to put up with that. When someone tells you good news that is different from the Good News you already accepted, you're willing to put up with that too. BBE 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if anyone comes preaching another Jesus from the one whose preachers we are, or if you have got a different spirit, or a different sort of good news from those which came to you, how well you put up with these things. Phillips For apparently you cheerfully accept a man who comes to you preaching a different Jesus from the one we told you about, and you readily receive a spirit and a gospel quite different from the ones you originally accepted. preaches: Ac 4:12 1Ti 2:5 receive: 1Co 12:4-11 Ga 3:2 Eph 4:4,5 another gospel: Ga 1:6-9 2 Corinthians 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ANOTHER JESUS? ANOTHER GOSPEL? For - Paul now specifically explains how they might be deceived and carried away. If one comes and preaches (kerusso) another Jesus whom we have not preached - NLT = "You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach." IF is first class condition indicating one has or will come to preach another Jesus. There is only one Jesus and Paul's Jesus is clearly the only one that is true. Note that the false teachers are not addressing minor doctrinal points, but the MAIN DOCTRINAL point, the person of Jesus. This is still the modus operandi of every cult, regardless of their claims, such as Mormons who claim to preach Jesus. Their Jesus is another Jesus, not Paul's Jesus. If you are "off" on Jesus, you are "off" eternally, for as He Himself clearly stated "“I am the (ONLY) way, and the (ONLY) truth, and the (ONLY) life; (ABSOLUTELY) no one comes to the Father but through Me." (Jn 14:6) In Acts Peter declared " there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name (OTHER THAN JESUS) under heaven that has been given among men by which we must (DEI = NOT "MIGHT" BUT "MUST") be saved.” (Acts 4:12+) It follows that you have a counterfeit Jesus, you have a counterfeit salvation, which is really no salvation and you are destined for eternal separation from His Father (2Th 1:9+). Paul recognized the gravity of the situation and as we say he "goes right for the jugular." Guzik on if one comes - An apostle is “one who is sent.” These troublemakers were the exact opposite of apostles. One could say of them, “He who comes.” Of an apostle, one could say “one who is sent” by God. These false apostles had simply come; they were not really sent by God. (2 Corinthians 11) Or you receive a different (heteros) spirit which you have not received - While the spirit in this passage is not absolutely clear, one thing is clear and that is that the Corinthians had received or accepted or put up with a different spirit. That is the problem Paul is addressing. Some believe he is referring to the Holy Spirit, which those who receive a different Jesus will not receive. Others believe it refers to spirit in a more generic sense, such as spirit of fear (2Ti 1:7+), but I was submit that even that passage in Timothy implies the Holy Spirit, for no one could receive a spirit of love unless they had received the real Spirit Who enables supernatural love (cf Ro 5:5+). The word for different here is not allos but heteros which means another of a different kind. Jesus had promised the disciples they would receive a Spirit of the "allos" kind after He ascended. (Jn 14:16 - "another" = allos) Or a different (heteros) gospel which you have not accepted - A different gospel is really NOT good news, but bad news. This crucial doctrinal deviation helps us understand why Paul had asked them to bear with me in a little foolishness (2Co 11:1+) forcing him to authenticate his apostolic ministry and by default his gospel message. Paul addressed a different gospel in Galatians giving a strong warning to anyone who preached a different Gospel... I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different (heteros) gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing (tarasso) you and want to distort (metastrepho) the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed (anathema)! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed (anathema)!! (Ga 1:6-9+) You bear (anechomai) this beautifully (kalos) - Obviously this is cuttingly sarcastic. Paul implies they were tolerating what they should not have been tolerating. It is surely meant to get their attention, because the salvation of their souls was at stake. He even uses a play on words for in 2Co 11:1 with the same verb bear (anechomai) which he used when he had affirmed that "you are bearing (anechomai) with me." It would be difficult, if not impossible, to bear with Paul and at the same time bear with these serious false teachings (and by default bearing with the false teachers themselves). THOUGHT - False teachers are alive and well today and are best evaluated by what they teach about Jesus, fully God and fully Man, and His exclusive Gospel, the only way to Heaven, and whether their lives give clear evidence of the fruit in keeping with genuine repentance (Mt 3:8+). If not, then "Look out!" Preaches (proclaims) (2784) kerusso from kerux/keryx = a herald - one who acts as the medium of the authority of one who proclamation he makes; kerugma = the thing preached or the message) means to proclaim (publicly) or to herald or act as a public crier - the town official who would make a proclamation in a public gathering. Kerusso was used of the official whose duty it was to proclaim loudly and extensively the coming of an earthly king, even as our gospel is to clearly announce the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16+)! Kerusso in Corinthian letters - 1 Co. 1:23; 1 Co. 9:27; 1 Co. 15:11; 1 Co. 15:12; 2 Co. 1:19; 2 Co. 4:5; 2 Co. 11:4 Related Resources: What is Mormonism? What do Mormons believe? | GotQuestions.org Who are the Three Nephites in Mormonism? | GotQuestions.org Are Mormons Christians? Are Mormons saved? | GotQuestions.org How should Christians view the Book of Mormon? | GotQuestions.org Are Jesus and Satan brothers? | GotQuestions.org 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. KJV 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. NET 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I consider myself not at all inferior to those "super-apostles." BGT 2 Corinthians 11:5 Λογίζομαι γὰρ μηδὲν ὑστερηκέναι τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων. NLT 2 Corinthians 11:5 But I don't consider myself inferior in any way to these "super apostles" who teach such things. ESV 2 Corinthians 11:5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. NIV 2 Corinthians 11:5 But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those "super-apostles." YLT 2 Corinthians 11:5 for I reckon that I have been nothing behind the very chiefest apostles, ASV 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. CSB 2 Corinthians 11:5 Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the "super-apostles." MIT 2 Corinthians 11:5 I consider myself to be deficient in no way from such super missionaries. NKJ 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. NRS 2 Corinthians 11:5 I think that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. NAB 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I think that I am not in any way inferior to these "superapostles." NJB 2 Corinthians 11:5 Now, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to the super-apostles. GWN 2 Corinthians 11:5 I don't think I'm inferior in any way to your super-apostles. BBE 2 Corinthians 11:5 For in my opinion, I am in no way less than the most important of the Apostles. The Living Bible Yet I don’t feel that these marvelous “messengers from God,” as they call themselves, are any better than I am. Phillips Yet I cannot believe I am in the least inferior to these extra-special messengers of yours. I was not: 2Co 12:11,12 1Co 15:10 Ga 2:6-9 2 Corinthians 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PAUL IS NOT INFERIOR TO THE "SUPER APOSTLES" For (gar) explanation. What is Paul explaining? This "for" could go back to verse 1 where he asks them to bear with him in a little foolishness. He definitely does not like "tooting his own horn" (boasting) which is what he is forced to do in this verse and the following verses in chapter 11. To him boasting is tantamount to foolishness, for as he had already stated the one who boasts should boast in the Lord (1Co 1:31, 2Co 12:17). I consider (logizomai) myself not in the least inferior (hustereo in perfect tense) to the most eminent (huperlian - "super") apostles (apostolos) - Paul is saying flatly that his apostleship is in no way inferior (perfect tense means was never inferior and continues to not be inferior!) to the so-called "super apostles" (NET, ESV, NIV) who had wormed their way into the Corinthian church (cf Jude 1:4+ - " certain persons have crept in unnoticed [pareisduno]"). As noted below the Greek verb for inferior (hustereo) means to be left behind in the race and so fail to reach the goal. Paul is saying he is NOT being left behind in the race spiritually (apostolically) speaking and of course the real reason is that his opponents have not even met the qualifications to run in the race (cf Paul's final shout of victory " I have finished the course" 2Ti 4:7+)! They think they are running, but they are deceiving themselves because they are disqualified in the eyes of the Judge of the living (Paul and all believers) and the dead (these false apostles) (2Ti 4:1+)! Paul's description of them as being apostles who are "beyond extreme degree" is clearly sarcastic, because he does not consider them to even be genuine apostles, much less "super apostles!" Paul in using the word apostle is not implying these men had seen the resurrected Jesus and received direct authoritative commands from Him, which were two criteria that every genuine NT apostle had to meet. He leaves no doubt in 2Co 11:13+ writing "such men are false apostles." Storms asks "But in what way did they classify Paul as "inferior" to them? There were at minimum two claims they made: (1) their "superiority" as trained and eloquent speakers (2Co 11:6) and (2) their "superiority" in visions and revelations (2Co 12:1). As for Paul's "weakness" or "inadequacy" in speech, he first alludes to it in 1Co 2:1-5. Perhaps after the rhetorically gifted Apollos (Acts 18:24-28) had visited Corinth, the people there began to reflect negatively on Paul's shortcomings in that arena. Yet, Barnett points out that "it ought not be concluded that Paul was a poor speaker. That he was inferior to them (and Apollos?) does not logically require that he was without gifts in that respect. Paul's dialectic in this verse should not lead us to draw wrong conclusions. . . . [In] the context of Hellenistic rhetoric, it quite suits Paul to confess to being 'inferior' to the newcomers, a mere 'layman,' But it does not necessarily follow that Paul was an ill-equipped or ineffective preacher. . . . His verbal skills must have been, at the very least, adequate, and, quite possibly, considerable, even though he lacked the high professionalism of the trained rhetorician" (509-510). While some commentators feel that Paul was referring to other eminent apostles (like Peter) the context (always king in interpretation) clearly favors the thought that here Paul is referring not to true apostles, but false apostles. The message is always be an Acts 17:11+ Berean when reading commentaries (including the one you are reading now!) Allow the Spirit to teach you (1Jn 2:20, 27+) and guide you as you read each text in its full context! Inferior (come short of) (5302) hustereo from hústeros = last, latter, terminal, hindmost) has the basic meaning of come to late (in time) or to come after (in terms of space) and thus it means to fail in something, come short of, miss, not to reach. Hustereo has the basic meaning of being last or inferior. It means to be left behind in the race and so fail to reach the goal, to fall short of the end, to lack. It means to come late or too tardily. 16v - Matt. 19:20; Mk. 10:21; Lk. 15:14; Lk. 22:35; Jn. 2:3; Rom. 3:23; 1 Co. 1:7; 1 Co. 8:8; 1 Co. 12:24; 2 Co. 11:5; 2 Co. 11:9; 2 Co. 12:11; Phil. 4:12; Heb. 4:1; Heb. 11:37; Heb. 12:15 Eminent (5344) huperlian from huper = above + lian = very exceedingly) is an adverb that refers to an excessive degree of anything. Characterized by being beyond an extreme degree. Huperlian is used only in 2Co 11:5 and 2Co 12:11. Gilbrant - The Textus Receptus reads huper lian. The confusion arises because ancient scribes did not place any spaces between words in their manuscripts. The only other occurrence of huperlian in Greek literature is in a 12th-century A.D. work. Huperlian means “exceedingly, chief” and is used as an adjective in its two New Testament appearances. Paul referred to the “very chiefest apostles” (“super-apostles,” NIV) who had come to Corinth. There may have been a note of sarcasm in Paul’s tone when he referred to these men....Paul said that these men preach a different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel (2Co 11:4); and he called them “false apostles … masquerading as apostles of Christ” (2Co 11:13NIV). These were false teachers who boasted of their spiritual status, whom Paul felt the need to challenge. He also was a Jew (11:22); he also had suffered (11:23–33); he also had received visions (12:1–10). The Corinthians were being seduced by these “super-apostles,” and Paul resisted them. (Complete Biblical Library - Incredible Resource) Apostles (652) apostolos from apo = from + stello = send forth) means one sent forth from by another, often with a special commission to represent another and to accomplish his work. It can be a delegate, commissioner, ambassador sent out on a mission or orders or commission and with the authority of the one who sent him. Apostolos referred to someone who was officially commissioned to a position or task, such as an envoy. Cargo ships were sometimes called apostolic, because they were dispatched with a specific shipment for a specific destination. In secular Greek apostolos was used of an admiral of a fleet sent out by the king on special assignment. But the term is primarily used as a specific and unique title for the thirteen men (the Twelve, with Matthias replacing Judas, and Paul) whom Christ personally chose and commissioned to authoritatively proclaim the gospel and lead the early church. The thirteen apostles not only were all called directly by Jesus but all were witnesses of His resurrection, Paul having encountered Him on the Damascus Road after His ascension. Those thirteen apostles were given direct revelation of God’s Word to proclaim authoritatively, the gift of healing, and the power to cast out demons (Mt 10:1+). By these signs their teaching authority was verified (cf. 2Co 12:12+). Their teachings became the foundation of the church (Ep 2:20+), and their authority extended beyond local bodies of believers to the entire believing world. 2 Corinthians 11:6 But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. KJV 2 Corinthians 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. NET 2 Corinthians 11:6 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. BGT 2 Corinthians 11:6 εἰ δὲ καὶ ἰδιώτης τῷ λόγῳ, ἀλλ᾽ οὐ τῇ γνώσει, ἀλλ᾽ ἐν παντὶ φανερώσαντες ἐν πᾶσιν εἰς ὑμᾶς. NLT 2 Corinthians 11:6 I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I'm not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way. ESV 2 Corinthians 11:6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. NIV 2 Corinthians 11:6 I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. YLT 2 Corinthians 11:6 and even if unlearned in word -- yet not in knowledge, but in every thing we were made manifest in all things to you. ASV 2 Corinthians 11:6 But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge; nay, in every way have we made this manifest unto you in all things. CSB 2 Corinthians 11:6 Though untrained in public speaking, I am certainly not untrained in knowledge. Indeed, we have always made that clear to you in everything. MIT 2 Corinthians 11:6 If I am unskilled in rhetoric—but not in knowledge—it is in all those ways that they show off with reference to all their dealings with you. NKJ 2 Corinthians 11:6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. NRS 2 Corinthians 11:6 I may be untrained in speech, but not in knowledge; certainly in every way and in all things we have made this evident to you. NAB 2 Corinthians 11:6 Even if I am untrained in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. NJB 2 Corinthians 11:6 Even if there is something lacking in my public speaking, this is not the case with my knowledge, as we have openly shown to you at all times and before everyone. GWN 2 Corinthians 11:6 Even though I'm not good with words, I know what I'm talking about. Timothy and I have made this clear to you in every possible way. BBE 2 Corinthians 11:6 But though I am rough in my way of talking, I am not so in knowledge, as we have made clear to all by our acts among you. Phillips Perhaps I am not a polished speaker, but I do know what I am talking about, and both what I am and what I say is pretty familiar to you. The Message It’s true that I don’t have their voice, haven’t mastered that smooth eloquence that impresses you so much. But when I do open my mouth, I at least know what I’m talking about. We haven’t kept anything back. We let you in on everything. AMP But even if [I am] unskilled in speaking, yet [I am] not [unskilled] in knowledge [I know what I am talking about]; we have made this evident to you in all things. The Living Bible If I am a poor speaker, at least I know what I am talking about, as I think you realize by now, for we have proved it again and again. unskilled in speech: 2Co 10:10 1Co 1:17,21 2:1-3,13 not: Eph 3:4 2Pe 3:15,16 we have: 2Co 4:2 2Co 5:11 2Co 7:2 2Co 12:12 2 Corinthians 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Acts 4:13+ (PAUL WAS IN GOOD COMPANY WITH 2 OTHER "UNTRAINED" MEN!) Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated (agrammatos) and untrained (same word Paul uses in 2Co 11:6 = idiotes) men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. PAUL WAS NOT A TRAINED GREEK ORATOR But even if I am unskilled (idiotes) in speech, yet I am (no verb in Greek) not so in knowledge (gnosis) - TLB has a pithy paraphrase "If I am a poor speaker, at least I know what I am talking about!" If introduces a first class conditional statement assumed to be true. Using the noun idiotes, Paul is in agreeing that his Greek rhetoric and philosophical oratorical skills were NOT in the same league as the "super apostles." Here goes Paul with a little boasting which he does not want to do, but is forced to do. His adversaries say "his speech contemptible." (2Co 10:10). He in essence does not rebut that accusation (see Gilbrant below). However he is not unskilled in knowledge and by this he surely means the knowledge of God, the Bible, the Gospel, spiritual truth. Peter's inspired words support Paul's assertion of "not so in knowledge", for Peter writes "regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort (WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN CORINTH), as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction." (2Pe 3:15-16+) Gilbrant - Paul said he was unskilled in speech. This probably means that he had not devoted himself to the same philosophical training in rhetoric as his opponents—perhaps itinerant philosophers— had done (cf. 1Co 2:1-5). . (Complete Biblical Library) in fact, in every way we have made this evident (phaneroo) to you in all things - Paul points out that his grasp of true knowledge had been made clearly manifest and fully displayed to them, which undoubtedly refers to when he planted the church and for 18 months was "teaching the word of God among them." (Acts 18:11+) Later in this letter he is even more to the point writing "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles." (2Co 12:12+) ILLUSTRATION - A story is told about a dinner party where the guests were expected to stand after the meal and recite something for the group. A famous actor was present, and he recited the twenty-third Psalm with great dramatic flair and emotion, and sat down to great applause. Then a very simple man got up and began to recite the same Psalm. He wasn’t very eloquent, so at first people thought it was a little funny. But his presentation was straight from his heart, so when he finished the group sat in respectful silence. It was obvious that the simple man’s presentation was more powerful than the actor’s, and afterwards the actor told him: “I know the Psalm, but you know the Shepherd.” Paul knew the Shepherd, so the substance of his preaching was profound even though not "pretty" to Grecian ears! Unskilled (2399) idiotes means literally "in private life". BDAG = " person who is relatively unskilled or inexperienced in some activity or field of knowledge." The meanings include amateur, layperson in contrast to an expert, untrained person, nonspecialist, with the specific sense taken from contrast in the context.