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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER ELEVEN:
PROOF OF AN OUTSTANDING MINISTER

[“Servants Good and Bad”]
Key word: Boasting
Theme verse: 23

2 Corinthians 11:1-6 – Your Minds Corrupted

2CO11:1 I ask you [Corinthians] to tolerate something of my small senselessness? 262 But, you are tolerating me!

262	To tolerate something of my small senselessness: Or, my folly, foolishness. There is something of sarcasm in Paul’s tone.

2CO11:2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. 263 I joined you together with one husband 264 to make you stand beside the Christ as a chaste virgin. 265

263

I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: Or, MOF: divine jealousy. Yehowah is called “Jealous” at Exodus 34:14. Jealousy may be good or bad. It can sometimes have the meaning of a devotion excluding all others. [Philippians 1:8] Paul helped start the Corinthian congregation and as a result he was not going to let their affections fall upon “ministers of Satan.”

264

I joined you together with one husband: Or, KJV: espoused you to one husband; CON: I betrothed you to only one husband; NWT: promised you in marriage. Just as Yehowah was the Husband to Israel, Christ will become such to his Church. [Ephesians 5:24-27, 32; Revelation 21:2, 9; 22:17] While on earth each Saint belongs to Christ in a betrothed or espoused condition, anticipating the celestial Marriage at God’s appointed time.

265

To make you stand beside the Christ as a chaste virgin: Or, PME: for in my eyes you are like a fresh, unspoiled girl whom I am presenting as fiancée to your true husband. The Israelite high priest could only marry a virgin, and so the Church must be washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. Compare Ephesians 5:24-27.

2CO11:3 But, I continue to fear that some how, as the serpent seduced Eve in its cunning, 266 [Genesis 3:4] your minds might be corrupted 267 from the single-mindedness and chastity due the Christ. 268

266	The serpent seduced Eve in its cunning: Paul alludes to Genesis 3:4. Compare notes on 1 Timothy 2:14. Just as Satan seduced Eve, he attempts to do the same with the bride of Christ.

267

Your minds might be corrupted: Or, CON: your imagination should be corrupted; GDS: your thoughts will be led astray. It is the “mind” Satan wishes to corrupt, as Paul will go on to show, within the Church, this is often by the leadership. Note how sins begins in the mind at James 1:14, 15. [1 Timothy 6:5; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:17; 2 John 8]

268

From the single-mindedness and chastity due the Christ: Or, simplicity, single-minded faithfulness, single-hearted fidelity, sincere and pure devotion; BAR: single-hearted devotion to Christ. Two things are required in the devotions of the disciple to the Nazarene Master – single-hearted focus and a life of purity. This is the same expected of two people betrothed to one another.

2CO11:4 For it is a certainty that if a person arrives preaching another Jesus 269 whom we did not preach – or you accept a different inspiration 270 which you had never received – or a different Good News 271 which you had never accepted – you [Corinthians] put up with him in a fine manner. 272

269

If a person arrives preaching another Jesus: What kind would this “another Jesus” be? Judging from Paul’s letters, and later John, it could be a] a solely Jewish Jesus, so that all who wanted membership in the Christian Church must first become a Jew; b] a Gnostic Jesus who was no man at all, but a materialized phantom; c] a Platonic Jesus who was part of a plural godhead of three persons or modes. Later, “another Jesus” materialized as a human who first came into existence upon his human birth. Such deny his pre-human pre-existence. Compare notes on Galatians 1:7-9. For notes on the pre-existence of Christ see notes on John 17:5.

270

A different inspiration: Or, spirit. The word PNEUMA may be used of “inspired utterances.” Compare 1 John 4:1. There are only two sources of inspiration – God and Satan. Paul predicts those who would come with “teachings of demons.” [1 Timothy 4:1-3; 1 John 4:3] If the word PNEUMA were rendered Spirit, then one begins to think of the evolution the holy spirit underwent in the three centuries following the death of the apostles. It became a third person or mode in the Trinity.

271

A different Good News: Jesus warned against those who would preach a different message. For example in Luke 21:8 he warns his disciples not to follow or join anyone who preached, “The time is at hand.” Or, that pseudo-anointed would proclaim “the Christ is here!” as though he had arrived in some invisible presence. [Mark 13:21] Or, that Christ had made a personal appearance to someone either in the desert or in their bedroom. [Matthew 24:24, 25] Such false prophets have appeared particularly in the mid to late 1800s during the great revival in America.

272	You [Corinthians] put up with him in a fine manner: Or, BAR: no difficulty in tolerating. They not only tolerate but also put them up in fine style.

2CO11:5 For I consider I have not proved inferior to those ultra-superior apostles. 273

273

I have not proved inferior to those ultra-superior apostles: Or, chiefest, super-eminent, superfine, surpassingly superior, extra-special, super-apostles. These Christian teachers have presented themselves as “apostles” and they may have even carried letters of recommendation from their supporters in Jerusalem and elsewhere as though they were the official voice of the Church. It is likely these “apostles” claimed superiority to Paul. In his Christine epistle recorded in Revelation, Jesus mentions similar “apostles.” [Revelation 2:2]

2CO11:6 But even if I am idiotic in speech, 274 I am not regarding knowledge, 275 but rather in everything we are those who have manifested [such knowledge] to you.

274

If I am idiotic in speech: Or, rude, unskilled, polished speaker, inexpert. Likely a reference back to 2 Corinthians 10:10. The Greek here is IDIOTES [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2399, rude, illiterate], or “ordinary.” Paul may acknowledge he is no gifted speaker, just like Moses [Exodus 4:10] or he may be a bit sarcastic. It is obvious from his letters that Paul was highly educated in religion and other matters. Only such a man could speak as though he were an “idiot.”

275	I am not regarding knowledge: No one can deny Paul’s knowledge. In his epistles he uses about 160 words used nowhere else in the Christian Bible.

2 Corinthians 11:7-11 – Not a Burden to Anyone

2CO11:7 Or, did I sin by humbling myself so that you [Corinthians] might be elevated, because I declared the Good News of The God to you was as a free gift? 276

276	I declared the Good News of The God to you was as a free gift: Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 9.

2CO11:8 Other congregations I robbed when I accepted provisions in order to minister to you. 277

277	Other congregations I robbed when I accepted provisions in order to minister to you: In other words, it was other congregations who supported Paul – beside his own tent-making [Acts 18:1-4] – as he ministered to Corinth. Compare notes on Philippians 4:15.

2CO11:9 Also, when I was present among you and got behind [in needs], I never became a burden to anyone. 278 For the brothers who followed me from Macedonia made up for my lack. 279 In everything I refused to be a burden to you. And I shall continue to refuse to be a burden! 280

278

I never became a burden to anyone: Or, BAR: I did not take one penny; BAR: when I was hard up, I bothered none of you for help. When elements in a church are negative to a certain minister, this is often reflected in their refusal to render financial assistance. A jealous person will never help the person who is the object of this jealousy. Paul struggled hard to never burden anyone with his ministry. [1 Thessalonians 2:6, 9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8] Compare 2 Corinthians 12:13.

279	Made up for my lack: Notice that in Acts 18:3 when Paul worked he could only preach on the Sabbath. However, note Acts 18:5, and the increased activity when the brothers arrived from Macedonia, likely with financial assistance.

280	I shall continue to refuse to be a burden: Or, never to be a burden. Now that the Corinthians have manifest their selfishness, Paul is not about to accept help from them.

2CO11:10 It is Christ’s truth in me that this boasting will never be stopped on the slopes of Achaia! 281

281	This boasting will never be stopped on the slopes of Achaia: This really means that Paul will spread the news how he never burdened the Corinthians – meaning, they had never offered to help him.

2CO11:11 And why? Because I do not continue to have compassionate affection you? The God knows!

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 – Ministers of Satan

2CO11:12 But whatever I am doing I will do, so that I might cut off the opportunity of those wanting an opportunity that they might be found equal 282 in the very thing we continue to boast.

282	I might cut off the opportunity of those wanting an opportunity that they might be found equal: Or, occasion, checkmate, cut away the ground.

2CO11:13 For such persons are pseudo-apostles, 283 deceitful workers, 284 refashioning themselves into Christ’s apostles. 285

283	For such persons are pseudo-apostles: Or, sham apostles, spurious apostles, counterfeits. Compare also Revelation 2:2.

284	Deceitful workers: Or, dishonest workmen, dishonest practitioners. Compare Matthew 7:21-23. [Psalm 101:7; 119:118] These are those who bring “every wind of teaching” into the congregation. [Ephesians 4:14] Such “deceitful workers” abound in modern times.

285	Refashioning themselves into Christ’s apostles: Or, transforming, masquerading, assuming the garb. These fakes followed Paul’s journeys to take advantage of his pioneering work. For this reason in almost every letter by Paul he mentions such persons, generally the Judaizers of Acts 15:1, 2.

2CO11:14 And no wonder, for Satan continues to transform himself into an angel of light. 286

286

Satan continues to transform himself into an angel of light: Should the Devil appear he would be a beautiful, angelic person with a warm smile and winning ways. [Galatians 1:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:9] There are those in the Church whose false exterior of righteous, humble manners hide the darkest of demons. As the neighbors might say, “He was such a nice boy.”

2CO11:15 It is no great thing, then, if his ministers also continue to refashion themselves as ministers of righteousness. 287 Their end will be according to their works! 288 [Psalm 62:12]

287

His ministers also continue to refashion themselves as ministers of righteousness: Satan as his own “ministers” who work within the Church. Paul helps characterize some of these. [1 Timothy 4:1-3; 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:15-18; 3:1-9; 4:3, 4] Compare also 2 Peter 2. Jesus mentioned the same who would appear in the judgment. [Matthew 7:21-23]

288	Their end will be according to their works: Paul borrows from Psalm 62:12. [See also Ecclesiastes 12:14] Compare Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6; Galatians 5:10; Philippians 3:19; 2 Timothy 4:14.

2 Corinthians 11:16-20 – My Little Unreasonableness

2CO11:16 I say it again: let no one think me to be senseless. But even if you really accept me as such a senseless person, accept me, so that I also might boast a bit. 2CO11:17 What I speak is not according to [the] Master’s example, 289 but as in senselessness, in this boastful confidence.

289	What I speak is not according to [the] Master’s example: Paul has no example in the Master regarding what he is about to do.

2CO11:18 Since many are boasting according to the flesh, 290 I also will boast.

290	Many are boasting according to the flesh: These were those Judaizers who boasted over their Jewish circumcision. [Acts 15:1, 2; Philippians 3:4]

2CO11:19 For you, as sensible persons, gladly tolerate those who are senseless. 2CO11:20 You [Corinthians] tolerate anyone who tries to enslave you, 291 anyone who devours you, 292 anyone who takes from you, 293 anyone who exalts himself, 294 anyone who strikes you in the face. 295

291

Tolerate anyone who tries to enslave you: Or, tyrannize, browbeat. Paul will list five characteristics of the minister of Satan posing as a church representative, giving all the appearance of an angel of light or a minister of righteousness. Some, even today, enslave their membership by organizational control. The Christian Judaizers would impose more and more rules and regulations from the Law of Moses to “enslave” the Corinthians. Note the same language at Galatians 2:4; 4:9; 5:1.

292	Anyone who devours you: Or, plunders, prey upon, spends your money. One characteristic consistent with most of these ministers of Satan is – money. [1 Timothy 6:5]

293

Anyone who takes from you: Or, TCN: gets you into his power; KNX: vaunt their power over you; PME: if a man takes away your liberty, spends your money, takes advantage of you. Any minister who attempts to control the lives of the flock, and who expects to live in luxury at the expense of the sheep, is a minister of Satan. Notice his watch, his car, his home, his clothing, his life-style – and you may find that lovely “angel of light.”

294	Anyone who exalts himself: Or, TCN: puts on airs of superiority; PME: puts on airs. A minister of Satan can be no different that that one who sent him – filled with arrogance and pride. Compare 1 Timothy 3:6.

295	Anyone who strikes you in the face: Or, KNX: browbeat you; PME: smacks your face. There is more than one way to do this: verbal accusations made in public from the pulpit. Satan’s ministers abuse the flock and “do not treat it with tenderness.” [Acts 20:29, 30]

2 Corinthians 11:21-29 – Proof of a Great Ministry

2CO11:21 I say this dishonorably, 296 as though we have been weak. But if anyone is likely to be daring – in a senseless manner I say this – I am daring also. 297

296	I say this dishonorably: Or, shame, reproach, to my shame.

297	I am daring also: Or, bold, not afraid.

2CO11:22 Are they Hebrews? 298 So am I! Are they Israelites? So am I! Are they Abraham’s seed? So am I!

298	Are they Hebrews: This first question identifies these pseudo-apostles, deceitful workers, ministers of Satan, to be Judaizers. [Acts 15:1, 2]

2CO11:23 Are they Christ’s servants? I speak like one out of his mind! I am superior! 299 In labors beyond measure! In prisons beyond measure! In beatings beyond counting! In near-deaths often!

299

I am superior: Paul will list the characteristics of a true minister of God: physical labors, imprisonments, beatings, near-deaths, stonings, shipwrecks, journeys, flooded rivers, robbers, Jews, non-Jews, dangers in city, desert and sea, false brothers, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, cold, and improperly dressed. It is unlikely these pseudo-apostles endured any of these.

2CO11:24 From Jews five times I received thirty-nine [strokes]. 2CO11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent night and day in the deep. 2CO11:26 In journeys often, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own race, in dangers from non-Jews, in dangers in town, in dangers in the desert, in dangers at sea, in dangers from pseudo-brothers, 2CO11:27 in labor and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger, in thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 2CO11:28 Apart from these things of an external kind, rushing in upon me daily is my anxiety for all the congregations. 300

300

My anxiety for all the congregations: Or, care, burden of anxiety, daily burden. As the Nazarene taught, the hired man has no concern for the sheep, while the shepherd is willing to give his life for them. [John 10:1-15] The “wolves” care nothing for the sheep, save their wool. [Acts 20:29, 30] Paul’s inspired letters are proof of this constant worry.

2CO11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is stumbled, and I am not set ablaze? 301

301	Who is stumbled, and I am not set ablaze: Or, CON: burn with indignation; GDS: fired with indignation.

2 Corinthians 11:30-33 – Boast in My Weakness

2CO11:30 If it is absolutely necessary that boasting must occur, then I will boast in my weaknesses. 2CO11:31 The God and Father of the Master Jesus 302 – the One who is blessed throughout all future periods of time 303 – [He] knows I am not lying.

302	The God and Father of the Master Jesus: As earlier Paul uses the phrase “The God… of the Master Jesus.” [Compare also Ephesians 1:3, 17] The Father is The God of Jesus Christ, while Jesus Christ is not God to the Father.

303	The One who is blessed throughout all future periods of time: Or, unto the Ages, forever. Compare Romans 9:5.

2CO11:32 In Damascus the ethnarch of king Aretas was guarding the city to seize me, 2CO11:33 and I was lowered in a basket 304 through a window in the wall, and then I escaped out of his hands.

304	I was lowered in a basket: Paul refers to the events of Acts 9:23-25.

Review Questions on Chapter Eleven