2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:1-12

Paul Boasts of His Credentials as an Apostle – In 2 Corinthians 11:1 to 2 Corinthians 12:13 Paul strengthens his argument as the rightful apostle over the believers in Corinth and all of Achaia by boasting in his credentials, or qualifications. His opponents had probably boasted before the Corinthian by bragging on their qualifications as men of God. So, if they have chosen boasting as a weapon, then boasting Paul will bring. The amazing part of this passage of Scripture is that Paul makes his boasts in his earthly weaknesses in a way that reveals his divine authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He makes three essential boasts, which reflect his mental, physical and spiritual levels of maturity in the Lord. His godly lifestyle reflects his character and decision making (2 Corinthians 11:1-15).

He then boasts in his Jewish ancestry and physical sufferings (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). His final boast is in the divine revelations and miracles and have accompanied his apostleship (2 Corinthians 12:1-10).

It is important to understand that none of Paul’s opponents could equal Paul in any of these three boastings; for in each of these three boasts, Paul emphasizes the sacrifice and hardships that he endured as an apostle to the Gentiles. His mental maturity as an apostle of Jesus Christ is demonstrated by him choosing to deny himself the privilege of taking wages from them, but rather, robbed other churches (2 Corinthians 11:1-15). In his physical qualifications as an apostle of Jesus Christ he boasted in his Jewish ancestry, yet his maturity is seen in the physical realm when he endured persecutions and hardships (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). In his spiritual maturity of receiving an abundance of divine revelations he suffered the thorn in the flesh, which from a spiritual perspective is understood to be messengers of Satan to buffet him (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). Thus, Paul is boasting in his mental, physical and spiritual qualifications as an apostle, while showing the Corinthians the sufferings and hardships he endures to maintain those qualifications. Thus, he was boasting in an area that his adversaries had not boasted, which was in the hardships and persecutions that accompany a true apostle of Christ. He concludes with a final plea for the Corinthians to accept his apostolic authority over them. Outline - Note the proposed outline:

1. Mental: A Godly Lifestyle — 2 Corinthians 11:1-152. Physical: Jewish Ancestry & Christian Suffering — 2 Corinthians 11:16-333. Spiritual: Revelations & Miracles — 2 Corinthians 12:1-104. Final Plea — 2 Corinthians 12:11-13

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Paul’s Boast of Jewish Ancestry and Christian Suffering: Physical Testimonies – In 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Paul asks the Corinthians to patiently bear with him as he continues in his boasting (2 Corinthians 11:16-21). His next boast is in his ancestry as a Jew and in the amount of sufferings he has endured for Christ (2 Corinthians 11:22-33). These physical sufferings for their sake and for the ministry are the outward manifestations in the physical realm of his apostleship over the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 11:24-25 — Comments – Paul’s List of Hardships - Most of Paul’s list of hardships in 2 Corinthians 11:24-25 cannot be found in the book of Acts. However, we can find one of Paul’s stonings at Lystra in Acts 14:19 and one of his beatings at Philippi in Acts 16:22. In addition, we have a record of one of his shipwrecks in Acts 27-28, but this event took place several years after the writing of 2 Corinthians. Often, Satan tried to kill him. 2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 2 Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 2 Corinthians 11:27 — Word Study on “watchings” – Strong says the Greek word “watchings” (αγρυπνία) (G70) means, “sleeplessness, keeping awake.” It occurs two times in the New Testament, both times being translated “watchings.” The other occurrence Isaiah 2 Corinthians 6:5, “In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;” 2 Corinthians 11:29 — Word Study on “offended” – Strong says the Greek word “offended” (σκανδαλίζω) (G4624), means, “to entrap, to trip,” and figuratively, “to entice to sin.” 2 Corinthians 11:29 — Word Study on “burn” - The Greek word (πυρόω) (G4448) means, “to burn with sympathy, readiness to aid or indignation,” (BDAG), “intense concern,” (NASB).