2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (WEL) But what I am doing, I will continue to do so that I may cut off any opportunity from those who are looking for an opportunity, so they can go on bragging about being equal to us. 13 These kinds are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no surprise, for even Satan masquerades himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants are masquerading as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
V12 But what I am doing, I will continue to do so that I may cut off any opportunity from those who are looking for an opportunity, so they can go on bragging about being equal to us.
Paul is planning on continuing his self-support as much as possible. As he does so, he shuts up those who criticize him that he is only doing these things for money.
The goal of these false apostles is to draw disciples after themselves by destroying the true Apostle. Compare Acts 20:30.
Lipscomb: “Paul’s enemies desired that they should be on an equality with him. But they accepted support while Paul did not; though it pleased them to construe this as an admission that he was not a true apostle, the obvious unselfishness of Paul’s policy was, to candid men, a sufficient refutation of this argument. Paul therefore in this respect had a distinct advantage over them, and he was determined to retain it. The apostolic equality with him to which they aspired he rendered impossible by adopting an unselfish policy which their avarice would not let them imitate.”
V13 These kinds are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
A false apostle makes claims of legitimacy, skill, gifts, and knowledge. They usually have credentials, charisma, speaking skills, and are forceful pushing their views.
The Greek word for disguise is G3345 μετασχηματίζω metaschēmatizō, which means (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (Louw & Nida)) “to cause a change in the form of something – to change, to change from one form into another.”
God does not change them; they change themselves. They study the true apostles, then they act that way, use the same terms and words (with a different definition), act authoritatively, even make demands. They are the greatest pests to the church. They appeal to the flesh and to the mind (logic). We need to heed the words of the Lord Jesus and the true Apostles as Paul has shown them.
AlterAI summary:
V14 And no surprise, for even Satan masquerades himself as an angel of light.
Since they are satan’s emissaries, they act like satan who comes in love, softness, kindness, knowledge, false promises, etc. Remember Eve who was deceived (Genesis 3:) was sinless and deceived. How much easier it is to deceive sinners by appeals to the flesh and reason teaching a philosophical theology to appear so true but is pure poison.
V15 Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants are masquerading as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
Note the word servants. Willingly perhaps unknowingly, they are servants of satan. Compare Romans 6:16-18, 2 Peter 2:19, and 1 Peter 5:8. They come to kill, destroy, and steal (John 10:10).
We learn:
- We must be discerning. The Bible is the true standard. Let us judge by it.
- Satan loves to masquerade and embroider his servants into positions of power and influence.
Questions:
- How do you know what is true or false?
- Do you examine teachers, pastors, teachings, sermons, articles according to God’s words?