ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FRIENDS, 2 Corinthians 11, Saturday, March 8, 2025

         

Context for Chapter 11

Chapter 11 follows Paul's warning in the previous chapter. There, he vowed to be as bold as needed when he comes to see them in person. He describes himself as a protective spiritual father trying to save the Corinthians from the deceptions of the false apostles to teach a false gospel about a false Jesus. He is shocked the Corinthians put up with their harsh treatment and says he has decided to foolishly boast in order to compete with the false apostles. His boasting about his service to Christ, though, is mostly a long list of all the ways he has suffered for Christ. That theme continues into chapter 12, where Paul explains just how much his suffering has improved his walk with Christ. (https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/11/2-Corinthians-chapter-11.html)

Paul and False Apostles, Part 1, Verses 1-6, TEANNIE

 I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride[a] to one husband—Christ. 3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. 5 But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things. 6 I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

1. What foolishness did Paul find necessary to engage in? 

2. What is the difference between “divine” or “righteous” jealousy and worldly jealousy?

Paul and False Apostles, Part 2, Verses 7-15, CHRISTIAN

7 Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? 8 I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. 9 And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. The brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece[b] will ever stop me from boasting about this. 11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do. 12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

3. Paul describes the ways he selflessly served the Corinthian church. What are some of those ways? 

4. Even though the Corinthians, at one time, rejected Paul by turning from his teachings and giving their support to the false apostles, why did Paul continue to serve the church, and what can we learn from this? 

Paul's Many Trials, Part 1, Verses 16-25, DESTINY

16 Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 19 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! 20 You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 21 I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that! But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

 5. Why do you think Paul found the need to boast like the false apostles in this section of scripture?

6. What is Paul saying in verse 17? 

Paul's Many Trials, Part 2, Verses 26-33, KITTY

26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.[c] 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger? 30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

7. As disciples of Christ, should we anticipate this degree of persecution, like Paul, while walking out his God-given assignment on the earth? Give your answer and tell us why you believe this. 

8. Reflection: Given these sufferings, how does this make you feel about inconveniences you encounter while serving Christ?

9. Application: No matter what difficulties we face because of serving God, we should deflect the glory back to Him. What is one way you can depend on God when facing affliction this week? 

                                            

                                               Confessions for 2 Corinthians, Chapter 11

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2).

Heavenly Father, thank You for my justification in Christ and for His sanctifying life in me. I pray for the Church, the whole Body of Christ, that we may grow in godly wisdom and grace, become spiritually mature in the faith, and pure in thought, word, and deed. May we all continue to be conformed into the likeness of the Lord Jesus, day by day, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. And may we stand before You as a pure virgin on that glorious day, when we will know as we are known. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word of truth and the pure gospel of salvation, which I have received by grace through faith in Christ Jesus my Lord. Give me discernment as I study Your Word and help me to recognise when the truth of Scripture is being distorted in any way. I pray that I will not be led astray from the simplicity of the glorious gospel of grace and from pure devotion to Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

“If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” (2 Corinthians 11:30)

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, the truths it contains, and the warnings it gives. Give me wisdom and insight to identify error and keep me from being influenced by those who pretend to be men of God, but inwardly are ravening wolves. Thank You that my strength is in You and that when I am weak in my own importance, I am strong in the Lord and in the might of His power. Help me to boast in the Cross of Christ and Him alone. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/2-Corinthians/11