2 Corinthians 11 Commentary
Won’t the brothers at Corinth see smoke in the false claims by the imposters? The imposters sing about the super-apostles. Let’s check it out.
Paul elects to play the fool, probably having in mind the following scripture: “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” Proverbs 26 verse 5. He reduces himself to the fool’s level to see if at all there is substance.
One clear evidence of satanism is the absence of logic or common wisdom. What have the super-apostles brought to the table? Nothing. Is there any evidence of care to justify the support they receive? No. It is all smoke! Deception.
We can stop and see it for ourselves. Satan brings nothing but pain and suffering. His angels are specialist liars.
Paul dismantles their claim to godliness with a challenge. Prove your worth; value isn’t in what you have received, but rather, in what you have given.
Let’s check the facts again. What exactly does the devil or his demons give up in their relationship with humans? Nothing. Each time you are duped, see how greediness blinds you to the fact that you, and you alone stand to lose. It is always a scheme to subtract from you and not from them!
Can we see how different the gospel of Paul is? We have an endless list of “difficulties” that Paul suffered for the church. All of this in return for what? So that another, other than Paul gains. The church receives the benefits; not Paul.
Yes, this letter talks about personal struggles against the imposters. But it becomes important because the imposters still exist. They subtract from the believer; they don’t add any value. They come with promises to improve you but in reality, they reduce you to nothing – a worthless object. With supposed money but worthless. With supposed power but worthless. With supposed fame but worthless.
If money, it will be all substance but no substance at all. It is all deception. If power, it will be all the power but no power at all. Nothingness. Emptiness. The scripture wants us to see all the emptiness of the imposter’s false gospel.
On the other hand, Paul’s self-giving love flows from a heart that Jesus transformed. It is now like the heart of his Master.
With this suffering, you would think Paul is a miserable man. No. He was all love, joy, and peace – an inner peace that couldn’t be altered by external suffering, albeit real pain and suffering. In Paul, we have the chance to redefine our world. Love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control originate from within and not from without. They are the fruit of the Spirit resident within the transformed heart of the believer.
You can have counterfeit love and peace that may come from money but even you know it isn’t real. It leaves you wanting more. You detest it and feel cheated by life – cheated by the deceiver. You may have counterfeit joy but you know it is fake and so unreal that it leaves you sad. Yes, it is fake but it is also ever so transient!
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 