II Corinthians Chapter 11
Paul often used sarcasm to get his point across and this chapter is a good example of that. We can only guess that Paul had been called names by the church at Corinth. Perhaps they had called him a fool or maybe even worse names. We know that the church had lost respect for him, and he is proving to them that his credentials are of the highest standard one could have as he was commissioned by Jesus Himself.
Paul’s true feelings for the people Of Corinth is a great love and protection for them. He compares himself to a father who has given away his daughter as a bride. Paul knew the people of Corinth may think the comparison to be foolish, but he genuinely felt this way about them. He had brought the gospel to them, a gospel that makes a person a pure virgin to be presentable as the bride of Christ (the husband).
Let's Reflect
1. Feeling as if he were the father of a bride, Paul is concerned for the bride who did not listen carefully to all his advice. Paul is afraid that they will be deceived in the same way that Eve was deceived by the serpent. If they are deceived what might happen?
2. Paul is concerned that they will listen to anyone who comes into the church and delivers a different message than the truth of the gospel. There were false teachers that were better skilled at public speaking. What were they called by Paul? See verse 5.
3. Again, using a bit of sarcasm, Paul says that maybe they would have been more loyal to his teaching if he had asked what of the church?
4. Paul makes it clear that he will continue to stand up for the truth of the gospel. He will also point out the false apostles who are deceitful. What do these deceitful men claim? See verse 13.
5. Notice that Paul is not afraid of being called someone who is judging. The opposite is true, Paul is defending the truth of the gospel by pointing out the false apostles. Paul wants to protect his “daughter” the church. Paul says it should be no surprise to the believers that false prophets would claim to be apostles of Jesus. He draws a comparison to Satan who disguised himself. How does Satan disguise himself? Therefore, we can conclude that Paul is saying that false prophets belong to whom?
6. While people may think Paul is a fool, he is ok with that because he is confident in his faith. Paul says that fools have a habit of boasting about themselves. Since they thought of Paul as a fool he was going to do some boasting. What did he boast about?
7. Most people would not boast about being beaten or of enduring all of the hardships that Paul did. But Paul did boast about those things because he knew who he was serving and why. Boasting usually includes fabricating lies, but Paul was telling the truth. He said that he spoke the truth and who was it that knew this, that really mattered? See verse 31.
8. Paul said that they wanted to even go so far as to kill him. What happened in Damascus?
