2 Corinthians 11-13

2 Corinthians 11

Paul’s Godly Jealousy

• Paul  compares the church to a bride promised to Christ
• He fears the Corinthians are being deceived as Eve was deceived by the serpent
• Warns against accepting:
  • a different Jesus
  • a different spirit
  • a different gospel
• Paul may not be a skilled speaker (?), but he has true knowledge

 False Apostles

• Paul reminds them he preached without charging them money
• Some used this against him
• He exposes false teachers
  • Just as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, false teachers disguise themselves as servants of righteousness

Paul begins “boasting”

• He does so to expose the absurdity of the Corinthians admiring self-promoting leaders

 Paul’s Sufferings

Paul lists hardships in his ministry:

• imprisonments
• beatings
• shipwrecks
• dangers from:
  • robbers
  • false brothers
  • nature
• hunger
• sleepless nights
• daily concern for the churches

This is the opposite of how false teachers measured success.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

2 Corinthians 12

Vision

• Paul describes a man (likely himself) caught up to “the third heaven”
  • First heaven is sky, second heaven is cosmos
• He heard things too wonderful to describe
• Refuses to brag about this experience, thus why he has kept it to himself 14 years

 The Thorn in the Flesh

• To prevent pride, Paul was given “a thorn … in the flesh”
  • σκόλοψ (skolops) can mean tent stake
• He asked the Lord three times to remove it
• God’s answer “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 
• Paul learns to boast in weakness because Christ’s power rests upon him

Paul Defends Himself

• Paul points to signs of true apostleship
• He reminds them he never exploited them financially
• Neither Paul nor Titus took advantage of them

Concern Before His Visit

• Paul fears he may find:
  • quarrels
  • jealousy
  • anger
  • Hostility
  • Slander
  • Gossip
  • Conceit
  • disorder
• He hopes they will repent before he arrives

2 Corinthians 13

Paul prepares for a third visit

• Persistent sin will require discipline
• Christ’s power is seen even through weakness

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.”

• Paul urges repentance
• His authority is to build up, not tear down

Paul closes with encouragement:

• rejoice
• pursue restoration
• comfort one another
• agree with one another
• live in peace

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 

Application

We should not boast in unnecessary things like outward success. Instead, we boast in Christ, who works through our weaknesses or limitations.