2 Corinthians 11 - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland

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                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                             Chapter Eleven

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To understand why Paul felt it necessary to engage in "foolish 
   boasting"

2) To see how one might be misled by "false apostles" and "deceitful 
   workers"

3) To appreciate the great amount of suffering Paul endured as a 
   minister of Christ

SUMMARY

As Paul continues defending his apostolic authority, he finds it
necessary to engage in "a little folly."  He does so out of concern for
their faithfulness to Christ and his fear that others may have
corrupted their minds from the simplicity that is in Christ (1-4).  He
also finds himself having to explain why he did not accept support from
them.  Evidently this was the basis for charges against him by those
who considered themselves "the most eminent apostles".  But Paul, who
had good reasons for not accepting their support, recognizes these
detractors as they really were:  "false apostles" and "deceitful
workers" (5-15).

While not desiring to act foolishly, he finds it necessary since it 
seems that the Corinthians are so willing to accept those who do
(16-21).  With some foolish boldness, then, Paul claims equal footing
with his detractors as it pertains to physical heritage.  But when it
comes to service as a minister of Christ, he far surpasses them as is 
evident in the things he suffered.  After listing many examples of
suffering, he concludes that if he must boast it will be in the things
which concern his infirmity, giving his escape from Damascus as an
illustration (22-33).

OUTLINE

I. THE NECESSITY FOR SOME "FOOLISH BOASTING" (1-21)

   A. OUT OF CONCERN FOR THEIR FAITHFULNESS (1-4)
      1. He resorts to a little folly, because with godly jealousy he
         seeks to present them as a chaste virgin to Christ (1-2)
      2. Because of their seeming willingness to receive those who 
         offer a different Jesus, spirit, and gospel, he fears that
         their minds may be corrupted (3-4)

   B. BECAUSE OF COMPARISON WITH FALSE APOSTLES (5-15)
      1. Though untrained in speech, it is not the case with knowledge,
         and Paul has demonstrated that he is not inferior to the "most
         eminent apostles" (5-6)
      2. The reasons he refused to accept support from them (7-12)
         a. While with them, he received support from other churches
            (7-9a)
         b. He is determined to continue this practice of not being a
            burden to them (9b-10)
         c. Not because he does not love them, but to cut off 
            opportunity for those who wish to be regarded as Paul in 
            matters of which they boast (11-12)
      3. These boasters are "false apostles" (13-15)
         a. As deceitful workers, they transform themselves into 
            apostles of Christ (13)
         b. This is no great marvel, for if Satan transforms himself
            into an angel of light, similar tactics can be expected of
            his ministers (14-15)

   C. WITH GREAT RELUCTANCE (16-21)
      1. Paul is no fool, but for those who think otherwise, then 
         receive him as a fool as he begins to boast (16)
      2. Boasting is foolish and not of the Lord, but seeing that many
         boast and they seem to put up with them gladly in their 
         wisdom, then Paul will boast too (17-19)
      3. Since they seem willing to endure those who abuse them, Paul
         will be bold and boast a little as well (20-21)

II. THE GROUNDS FOR HIS "FOOLISH BOASTING" (22-33)

   A. HIS PHYSICAL HERITAGE (22)
      1. Like his opponents, He is a Hebrew
      2. Like his opponents, He is an Israelite
      3. Like his opponents, He is of the seed of Abraham

   B. HIS SACRIFICIAL SERVICE AS A MINISTER OF CHRIST (23-33)
      1. It is foolish to speak of his opponents as ministers of 
         Christ, but if so, Paul is one much more (23a)
      2. He has labored more, and suffered more, than they (23b)
      3. A list of the suffering Paul endured as a minister of Christ
         (24-29)
         a. Five times he was beaten with 39 stripes by the Jews (24)
         b. Three times he was been with rods (25a)
         c. Once he was stoned (25b)
         d. Three times he was shipwrecked (25c)
         e. A night and a day in the deep (25d)
         f. Miscellaneous perils on his many journeys (26)
         g. Miscellaneous discomforts (27)
         h. His daily concern for the condition of churches (28-29)
      4. If he must boast, then let it be concerning his infirmity 
         (30-33)
         a. His "infirmity" (possibly his "thorn in the flesh" of 
            11:7-10) was the persecution he endured in service to 
            Christ
         b. As an example, having to flee Damascus (31-33)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The necessity for some "foolish boasting" (1-21)
   - The grounds for his "foolish boasting" (22-33)

2) How did Paul desire to present the Corinthians to Christ? (2)
   - As a chaste virgin

3) What was Paul fearful of concerning the Corinthians? (3)
   - That their minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in
     Christ

4) What were they seemingly willing to put up with? (4)
   - Those who preach a different Jesus, offer a different spirit, and
     a different gospel

5) In what area did Paul concede that he was untrained?  In what area
   was this not so? (6)
   - In speech; in knowledge

6) What practice of Paul evidently was used as a charge against him?
   (7)
   - Preaching of the gospel of God free of charge

7) While at Corinth, from whom did Paul receive support? (8-9)
   - Other churches, brethren from Macedonia

8) Why would Paul continue the practice of not accepting support from
   the Corinthians? (12)
   - To cut off opportunity for those who wish to boast that they are
     just like Paul

9) How does Paul describe these opponents of his? (13)
   - False apostles, deceitful workers

10) How does Satan often transform himself?  And his ministers?
   (14-15)
   - As an angel of light; as ministers of righteousness

11) How did Paul view the confidence of boasting? (17)
   - Not according to the Lord; as foolishness

12) Then why does Paul engage in such boasting? (18-19)
   - Because many others were doing it, and the Corinthians seem to 
     gladly accept them

13) In what three ways was Paul equal to his opponents? (22)
   - He was a Hebrew, an Israelite, and of the seed of Abraham

14) List five things endured by Paul as a minister of Christ (24-25)
   - Five times he was beaten with 39 stripes
   - Three times he was beaten with rods
   - Once he was stoned
   - Three times he was shipwrecked
   - A night and a day he spent in the deep

15) If Paul must boast, in what would he boast? (30)
   - In the things that concern his infirmity

16) What event does he relate as an example of his infirmity? (31-33)
   - The escape from the governor of Damascus
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