2 Corinthians 11:1-15 - Paul Defends His Apostleship

¹ I wish that you could put up with a little "foolishness" from me, but you really are doing that already. ² For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, that I might present you to Christ as a pure virgin. ³ But I am afraid that somehow, just as the snake tricked Eve by his cunning, your minds might [also] be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. ⁴ For if someone comes [to you] proclaiming another "Jesus," whom we [apostles] had not preached, or if you people receive a different "spirit" from the one you have [already] received, or a different "gospel" from the one you have [already] accepted, you put up with him quite well.

⁵ For I consider myself not to be one bit inferior to those "super apostles." [Note: Paul is referring to his opponents there in Corinth who claimed apostolic authority]. ⁶ But even though I am an unpolished speaker, I am not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way. ⁷ Or, did I sin by putting myself down in order to build you people up, because I preached the Gospel of God to you without taking [financial] support? ⁸ I [virtually] robbed other churches by accepting [financial] support from them in order to serve you. ⁹ And when I was there with you and in need, I was not a [financial] burden to anyone, for when the brothers came from Macedonia they provided me with what I lacked, so I kept myself from being a burden to you in every way and will continue to do so. ¹⁰ As sure as the truth of Christ is in my heart, no one will stop me from boasting about this [arrangement] throughout the regions of Achaia. [Note: This was the province where Corinth was located]. ¹¹ Why [am I doing this]? Is it because I do not love you? God knows [I do].

¹² But what I am doing, I will continue to do, so that I can cut off the opportunity from those who want an occasion [to receive financial support for themselves because of my example of receiving it]. They want to boast [that they are preaching] on the same terms as I do. [Note: Paul's argument seems to be that one reason for his foregoing financial support was so those "super apostles" in Corinth (see verse 5) would not be able to use his example to wrongfully exact financial support from the church]. ¹³ For such men are false apostles; they are deceitful workers, who disguise themselves as [true] apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And it is no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light [i.e., someone pure and righteous]. ¹⁵ Therefore, it should not be surprising for Satan's ministers to disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their [final] end will be what they deserve for such actions.