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Second CorinthiansSecond Corinthians“Paul – A Minister of Christ”“Paul – A Minister of Christ”

Lesson 12Lesson 12

Second Corinthians 11:1-15Second Corinthians 11:1-15

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Read Second Corinthians 11:1-4Read Second Corinthians 11:1-4

1 1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. and indeed you do bear with me. 2 2 For I am jealous For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. chaste virgin to Christ. 3 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.in Christ.

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Paul’s Defense Against Charges Made By False Teachers Second Second Corinthians 11:1-3Corinthians 11:1-3 He was willing to indulge in

uncharacteristic argumentation of his own personal behavior and credentials, since that was the basis upon which the Corinthians seemed to make decisions about who deserved to be followed as teachers. (vs.1,2)

His concession in that respect was for their spiritual protection. (v.3)

He reminded them about how the serpent [Satan] beguiled Eve with craftiness. (v.3)

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Paul’s Defense Against Charges Made By False Teachers Second Second Corinthians 11:1-3Corinthians 11:1-3 His reason for acting foolish [boastful] was

over the “rival” teachers who opposed him, Christ, and the gospel.

It was Paul who “betrothed” these believers to Christ. (v.3) He was jealous over the “bride” [the

Corinthians] being defiled by false teachers causing a separation from the “bridegroom” [Christ]

He wanted them to be “a pure virgin” He wanted them to keep the simplicity and

purity of devotion to Christ

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Read First Corinthians 11:4-15Read First Corinthians 11:4-15

4 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!put up with it!

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Paul’s Defense Against Charges Made By False Teachers Second Second Corinthians 11:4Corinthians 11:4 A close comparison would show that Paul

was the superior minister. (v.4) They should “bear with him” -- hear him out as

he talks about himself. Truth never fears an honest investigation by

honest people. They had been very tolerant of these

deceivers. Now, they should be tolerant of him and listen

to him

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Read First Corinthians 11:4-15Read First Corinthians 11:4-15

5 5 For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. eminent apostles. 6 6 Even though I am untrained in Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.thoroughly manifested among you in all things.7 7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? you free of charge? 8 8 I robbed other churches, taking I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. wages from them to minister to you. 9 9 And when I was And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. myself.

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Read First Corinthians 11:4-15Read First Corinthians 11:4-15

10 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 11 Why? Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!Because I do not love you? God knows!12 12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. of which they boast. 13 13 For such are false apostles, For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. apostles of Christ. 14 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 15 Therefore it Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.will be according to their works.

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Paul’s Defense Against Charges Made By False Teachers Second Second Corinthians 11:5-15Corinthians 11:5-15

Their charges against Paul: a. Paul was inferior to other apostles

(See 1Corinthians 1:12)

Paul’s answers to their charges:a. He was not inferior to the most eminent among the apostles (v.5)

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Paul’s Defense Against Charges Made By False Teachers Second Second Corinthians 11:5-15Corinthians 11:5-15

Their charges against Paul: b. Paul was untrained in speech (oratory and sophistication).

Paul’s answers to their charges:b. His inspired knowledge was unquestioned by those who knew him. (v.6)

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Paul’s Defense Against Charges Made By False Teachers Second Second Corinthians 11:5-15Corinthians 11:5-15

Their charges against Paul: c. He had refused support from the church at Corinth.

Paul’s answers to their charges:c. There were good reasons for that:(1) His self-denial was for their spiritual good. (v.7)(2) Other churches considered him worthy of support. (vs.8,9)

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Paul’s Defense Against Charges Made By False Teachers Second Second Corinthians 11:5-15Corinthians 11:5-15

Their charges against Paul: c. He had refused support from the church at Corinth.

Paul’s answers to their charges:c. There were good reasons for that:(3) It was not because of a lack of love for them. (v.11)(4) Other teachers were unwilling to be compared to Paul in things that really mattered. (v.12)

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Paul’s Defense Against Charges Made By False Teachers Second Second Corinthians 11:5-15Corinthians 11:5-15

Their charges against Paul: d. Other ministers were equal to or better than Paul.

Paul’s answers to their charges:d. Other “ministers” were false apostles:(1) They were not sent by heaven but pretended to be. (v.13)(2) They followed Satan as Paul followed Jesus Christ. See 1Corinthians 11:1.

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Paul’s Defense Against Charges Made By False Teachers Second Second Corinthians 11:5-15Corinthians 11:5-15

Their charges against Paul: d. Other ministers were equal to or better than Paul.

Paul’s answers to their charges:d. Other “ministers” were false apostles:(3) God is not deceived by their “transformation” though men may be. (v.15)