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2 Corinthians 11:1
Verse
Context
Sermons
Denny Kenaston
J. Glyn Owen
Willie Mullan
David Griffith
Aaron HurstPhil Beach Jr.Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Would to God ye could bear with me - Οφελον ηνειχεσθε μου μικρον. As the word God is not mentioned here, it would have been much better to have translated the passage literally thus: I wish ye could bear a little with me. The too frequent use of this sacred name produces a familiarity with it that is not at all conducive to reverence and godly fear. In my folly - In my seeming folly; for, being obliged to vindicate his ministry, it was necessary that he should speak much of himself, his sufferings, and his success. And as this would appear like boasting; and boasting is always the effect of an empty, foolish mind; those who were not acquainted with the necessity that lay upon him to make this defense, might be led to impute it to vanity. As if he had said: Suppose you allow this to be folly, have the goodness to bear with me; for though I glory, I should not be a fool, Co2 12:6. And let no man think me a fool for my boasting, Co2 11:16.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Would to God you could bear with me a little,.... The false apostles boasted so much of their gifts, abilities, and usefulness, that the apostle found himself under a necessity of saying some things in his own defence, for the honour of God, and the good of this church; which otherwise his modesty would not have permitted him, and which he saw would be accounted and censured as folly in him by others; and therefore he entreats their patience a little while, and that they would suffer him to say a few things in vindication of his character, and not be offended; though it would be in commendation of himself, which, were he not forced to, would look vain and foolish: and therefore says, bear with me a little in my folly, and which he presses with importunity, and indeed bear with me; he insists upon it, he urges it as what he must not be denied in; for could he have avoided it, he would not have done it; but such was the case, that if he did not do it, he must greatly suffer in his character and usefulness; the members of this church would be in great danger from these false apostles, and the honour and glory of Christ lay greatly at stake; which when considered, he hoped his request would be granted: the last clause may be rendered, but also ye do bear with me; signifying that they had done so already, and continued to do so, and therefore he could not but encourage himself, that they still would bear with him a little longer, and in a few things more.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Here we may observe, 1. The apology the apostle makes for going about to commend himself. He is loth to enter upon this subject of self-commendation: Would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly, Co2 11:1. He calls this folly, because too often it is really no better. In his case it was necessary; yet, seeing others might apprehend it to be folly in him, he desires them to bear with it. Note, As much against the grain as it is with a proud man to acknowledge his infirmities, so much is it against the grain with a humble man to speak in his own praise. It is no pleasure to a good man to speak well of himself, yet in some cases it is lawful, namely, when it is for the advantage of others, or for our own necessary vindication; as thus it was here. For, 2. We have the reasons for what the apostle did. (1.) To preserve the Corinthians from being corrupted by the insinuations of the false apostles, Co2 11:2, Co2 11:3. He tells them he was jealous over them with godly jealousy; he was afraid lest their faith should be weakened by hearkening to such suggestions as tended to lessen their regard to his ministry, by which they were brought to the Christian faith. He had espoused them to one husband, that is, converted them to Christianity (and the conversion of a soul is its marriage to the Lord Jesus); and he was desirous to present them as a chaste virgin - pure, and spotless, and faithful, not having their minds corrupted with false doctrines by false teachers, as Eve was beguiled by the subtlety of the serpent. This godly jealousy in the apostle was a mixture of love and fear; and faithful ministers cannot but be afraid and concerned for their people, lest they should lose that which they have received, and turn from what they have embraced, especially when deceivers have gone abroad, or have crept in among them. (2.) To vindicate himself against the false apostles, forasmuch as they could not pretend they had another Jesus, or another Spirit, or another gospel, to preach to them, Co2 11:4. If this had been the case, there would have been some colour of reason to bear with them, or to hearken to them. But seeing there is but one Jesus, one Spirit, and one gospel, that is, or at least that ought to be, preached to them and received by them, what reason could there be why the Corinthians should be prejudiced against him, who first converted them to the faith, by the artifices of any adversary? It was a just occasion of jealousy that such persons designed to preach another Jesus, another Spirit, and another gospel.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
11:1-6 Paul finds it necessary, if distasteful, to justify his actions because of the close link he claims with the church (11:2) and because his enemies were enticing the Corinthian believers away from Christ. 11:1 Paul takes on an ironic tone in saying, I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. He again asks with irony, Please bear with me (or But indeed you are putting up with me, a translation that makes the irony even more pointed).
2 Corinthians 11:1
Paul and the False Apostles
1I hope you will bear with a little of my foolishness, but you are already doing that.2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Christ) the "In Christ" Life
By Denny Kenaston4.7K1:13:46Christ2CO 11:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the example of Paul in living a life dedicated to Christ. Paul had a deep vision of Christ and understood the purpose of his life was to serve Him. The speaker also shares a personal experience of preaching to a group of young missionaries in Africa, highlighting the passion and dedication required in spreading the gospel. The sermon concludes with a reminder that Paul considered everything he had gained in life as loss compared to knowing Christ.
Bethrothed to One Husband
By J. Glyn Owen2.0K55:51Marriage2CO 11:1In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Paul's letter to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 11. The preacher begins by discussing Paul's response to those who boast about themselves, stating that Paul is reluctantly putting on the mask of a fool to address them. The main thrust of the sermon is the implicit pledge in Christian discipleship, emphasizing the simplicity and sincerity of one's devotion to Jesus Christ. The preacher highlights the importance of acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God and obeying Him, even when it may not make sense. The sermon concludes by urging Christians to view themselves as engaged to the Lord, with a deep love and commitment to Him.
(Demonology) Warring Against the Polical Realm
By Willie Mullan1.8K1:09:47DemonologyGEN 2:8MAT 6:33ACT 2:12CO 2:62CO 11:1EPH 6:121PE 5:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of using our faculties of imagination, memory, and understanding to comprehend the teachings of the Bible. He warns against allowing our imagination to corrupt our understanding of the scriptures. The preacher references 1st Peter 5:8, which urges believers to be vigilant and aware of the devil's schemes. He addresses a skeptic who dismisses the existence of spiritual beings, highlighting the significance of recognizing the reality of demonic forces in the New Testament.
God's Desire Is for a Bride of Christ
By David Griffith1.1K00:00Bride Of Christ2CO 11:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being aware of both major and minor sins that can come between brothers in the faith. He highlights the need for quick repentance and confession to maintain a proper relationship with God and fellow believers. The speaker also criticizes a distorted gospel that focuses on material prosperity rather than repentance and the cross of Christ. He encourages believers to boldly preach the true gospel and not be distracted by worldly pursuits. The sermon references 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 to warn about false teachings and the need to stay focused on Christ.
Escaping Deception
By Aaron Hurst28759:45DeceptionGEN 3:1MAT 7:15MAT 22:37JHN 14:152CO 11:1In this sermon, Brother Aaron emphasizes the importance of obedience to the word of God. He highlights the message of escaping deception by loving the truth and following the teachings of Jesus Christ. The speaker shares a personal testimony of acknowledging lukewarmness in their own life and the need to repent and seek a deeper relationship with the Lord. The sermon also warns against the false gospel that promotes disobedience to the commands of the Lord, emphasizing the consequences of not obeying the Gospel.
Do Nots Against the Holy Spirit
By Phil Beach Jr.2739:39Holy SpiritThe Holy SpiritSpiritual Vigilance2CO 11:1Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of maintaining a pure and devoted relationship with Christ, warning against the dangers of false teachings that can lead believers astray. He draws from Paul's concerns in 2 Corinthians 11, highlighting how the Corinthian church was seduced by a different gospel and spirit, which ultimately jeopardized their devotion to Jesus. Beach Jr. urges Christians to be vigilant in guarding their hearts and minds against these influences, and to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, who is essential for understanding and living out the truth of the Gospel. He outlines four key actions to avoid in relation to the Holy Spirit: grieving, quenching, resisting, and provoking Him, encouraging believers to foster a cooperative relationship with the Spirit for spiritual growth.
Affection for Christ – Its Awakening, Decline, and Revival
By C.A. Coates0HOS 2:6HOS 2:142CO 11:1REV 2:2C.A. Coates preaches about the importance of maintaining affection for Christ, emphasizing the need for the hidden spring of affections that satisfy Christ's heart above all else. The true evangelist seeks a present result for Christ, desiring a people whose affections are solely for Him. The sermon delves into the significance of being saved not just for heaven but for the heart of Christ now, highlighting the interval between the cross and glory marked by Satan's hindrances and the Holy Spirit's work for a present result for Christ.
Purity Before Marriage
By Erlo Stegen0PurityHoliness2CO 11:1Erlo Stegen emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity before marriage, drawing parallels between the engagement of Mary and Joseph and the spiritual engagement of believers with Christ. He warns against the deception of the serpent that leads many lukewarm Christians to compromise on God's standards of holiness. Stegen passionately advocates for a life of discipline and purity, urging the youth to flee from temptations and not to engage in behaviors that could lead to moral corruption. He highlights the need for the church to uphold God's truth without succumbing to popular opinion, stressing that true love for Christ involves presenting ourselves as chaste and undefiled. The preacher calls for a return to God's Highway of Holiness, rejecting any diluted gospel that condones impurity.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Would to God ye could bear with me - Οφελον ηνειχεσθε μου μικρον. As the word God is not mentioned here, it would have been much better to have translated the passage literally thus: I wish ye could bear a little with me. The too frequent use of this sacred name produces a familiarity with it that is not at all conducive to reverence and godly fear. In my folly - In my seeming folly; for, being obliged to vindicate his ministry, it was necessary that he should speak much of himself, his sufferings, and his success. And as this would appear like boasting; and boasting is always the effect of an empty, foolish mind; those who were not acquainted with the necessity that lay upon him to make this defense, might be led to impute it to vanity. As if he had said: Suppose you allow this to be folly, have the goodness to bear with me; for though I glory, I should not be a fool, Co2 12:6. And let no man think me a fool for my boasting, Co2 11:16.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Would to God you could bear with me a little,.... The false apostles boasted so much of their gifts, abilities, and usefulness, that the apostle found himself under a necessity of saying some things in his own defence, for the honour of God, and the good of this church; which otherwise his modesty would not have permitted him, and which he saw would be accounted and censured as folly in him by others; and therefore he entreats their patience a little while, and that they would suffer him to say a few things in vindication of his character, and not be offended; though it would be in commendation of himself, which, were he not forced to, would look vain and foolish: and therefore says, bear with me a little in my folly, and which he presses with importunity, and indeed bear with me; he insists upon it, he urges it as what he must not be denied in; for could he have avoided it, he would not have done it; but such was the case, that if he did not do it, he must greatly suffer in his character and usefulness; the members of this church would be in great danger from these false apostles, and the honour and glory of Christ lay greatly at stake; which when considered, he hoped his request would be granted: the last clause may be rendered, but also ye do bear with me; signifying that they had done so already, and continued to do so, and therefore he could not but encourage himself, that they still would bear with him a little longer, and in a few things more.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Here we may observe, 1. The apology the apostle makes for going about to commend himself. He is loth to enter upon this subject of self-commendation: Would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly, Co2 11:1. He calls this folly, because too often it is really no better. In his case it was necessary; yet, seeing others might apprehend it to be folly in him, he desires them to bear with it. Note, As much against the grain as it is with a proud man to acknowledge his infirmities, so much is it against the grain with a humble man to speak in his own praise. It is no pleasure to a good man to speak well of himself, yet in some cases it is lawful, namely, when it is for the advantage of others, or for our own necessary vindication; as thus it was here. For, 2. We have the reasons for what the apostle did. (1.) To preserve the Corinthians from being corrupted by the insinuations of the false apostles, Co2 11:2, Co2 11:3. He tells them he was jealous over them with godly jealousy; he was afraid lest their faith should be weakened by hearkening to such suggestions as tended to lessen their regard to his ministry, by which they were brought to the Christian faith. He had espoused them to one husband, that is, converted them to Christianity (and the conversion of a soul is its marriage to the Lord Jesus); and he was desirous to present them as a chaste virgin - pure, and spotless, and faithful, not having their minds corrupted with false doctrines by false teachers, as Eve was beguiled by the subtlety of the serpent. This godly jealousy in the apostle was a mixture of love and fear; and faithful ministers cannot but be afraid and concerned for their people, lest they should lose that which they have received, and turn from what they have embraced, especially when deceivers have gone abroad, or have crept in among them. (2.) To vindicate himself against the false apostles, forasmuch as they could not pretend they had another Jesus, or another Spirit, or another gospel, to preach to them, Co2 11:4. If this had been the case, there would have been some colour of reason to bear with them, or to hearken to them. But seeing there is but one Jesus, one Spirit, and one gospel, that is, or at least that ought to be, preached to them and received by them, what reason could there be why the Corinthians should be prejudiced against him, who first converted them to the faith, by the artifices of any adversary? It was a just occasion of jealousy that such persons designed to preach another Jesus, another Spirit, and another gospel.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
11:1-6 Paul finds it necessary, if distasteful, to justify his actions because of the close link he claims with the church (11:2) and because his enemies were enticing the Corinthian believers away from Christ. 11:1 Paul takes on an ironic tone in saying, I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. He again asks with irony, Please bear with me (or But indeed you are putting up with me, a translation that makes the irony even more pointed).