My Daily Thoughts—2 Corinthians 12:11-13

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Len

2 Corinthians 12:11-13 (WEL) I have become a fool in boasting (yet, you have forced me) when I should have been commended by you. For in nothing am I inferior to those super apostles, though I am a nobody. 12 Truly, the signs of an apostle were done among you in all perseverance, in signs, wonders, and mighty works. 13 How is it that you were inferior to other congregations, except in that I, myself, was not a burden to you? Would you forgive me for that?

V11 I have become a fool in boasting (yet, you have forced me) when I should have been commended by you. For in nothing am I inferior to those super apostles, though I am a nobody.

Paul feels foolish in the experiences he had and the authenticating signs of being an Apostle of Jesus Christ, but his purpose is to show the Corinthian believers that the others are not Apostles of Jesus Christ. These false apostles have thrown around a lot of credentials and influenced the believers. The principle is the same today: 1) churches do call a pastor based on his degrees, books written, social media following, looks, speaking ability, etc., instead of being gifted by God. This attitude will lead to disaster in the church.

V12 Truly, the signs of an apostle were done among you in all perseverance, in signs, wonders, and mighty works.

Paul could do these miracles because he is a genuine Apostle of Jesus Christ, the others are fakes. Compare Romans 15:15-19.

Dake (beware of false doctrine) lists some character traits of false apostles, pastors, and teachers:

“Dake Annotated Reference Bible Topics – Sixteen Marks of False Ministers in 2 Corinthians:

  1. They hold secret things of shame (2 Corinthians 4:2).
  1. They walk in craftiness (2 Corinthians 4:2).
  1. They handle the Word deceitfully (2 Corinthians 4:2).
  1. They walk and war after the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:3).
  1. They look on outward appearance (2 Corinthians 10:7; cp. 1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 23:27-28).
  1. They commend themselves (2 Corinthians 10:12).
  1. They compare themselves to others (2 Corinthians 10:12).
  1. They prey on the works of others (2 Corinthians 10:15-16).
  1. They are greedy of income (2 Corinthians 11:7-12).
  1. They are false; they seek the highest offices (2 Corinthians 11:13).
  1. They are deceitful workers (2 Corinthians 11:13).
  1. They try to counterfeit apostleship (2 Corinthians 11:13).
  1. They pose as righteous ministers (2 Corinthians 11:15).
  1. They seek an occasion to glory (2 Corinthians 11:12).
  1. They are boastful and self-exalting (2 Corinthians 11:18).
  1. They are destitute of apostolic signs (2 Corinthians 12:12).

True apostles are the opposite of those 16 points.

V13 How is it that you were inferior to other congregations, except in that I, myself, was not a burden to you? Would you forgive me for that?

The fake apostles asked for and received donations, etc., making money off the brothers and sisters. Paul did not, so he sarcastically refers to himself as being inferior.

(Holman Commentary) “Only in one way had Paul treated the Corinthians as inferior to the other churches. He had never been a burden to them. With the sarcasm characteristic of this section, he noted that he had not required them to support him for his services. In reality, this was no insult at all, but an honor he bestowed on them—gracious treatment for their spiritual benefit. His only offense was to honor them more than he honored other churches. So he concluded by asking them in sarcastic fashion to forgive his kindness toward them.”

We learn:

  • The difference between false and true apostles of Jesus Christ.
  • How we can align ourselves with the character traits and motives of true apostles  and reject the false apostles’ attributes. Though all are not apostles, the character traits and motivations should be the same.

Questions:

  • Would you recognize a false apostle?
  • Would you speak out and expose a false apostle?