2 Corinthians 11:4; Ye Might Well Bear with Him

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2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

The phrase “ye might well bear with him”  was a word of caution to the church in Corinth – “You put up with it well enough.” Now the people are in danger of accepting a different gospel. The changes in doctrine were presented gradually so that the members of the Corinthian church hardly noticed the difference. Paul himself has to call their attention to the spiritual threat in their midst. For this reason, he must be direct in confronting the readers.¹

The Apostle Paul’s concern was the truth must not be surrendered to the enemies of the gospel. The stake was high and the impact eternal! If accepted, it would signify the demise of the church and her witness for the Lord. It was as if he was crying out to God for mercy to intervene that the church in Corinth may be awakened to the perils they were facing.

We are reminded of Solomon’s warning in Proverbs 1:22-33 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

In the world it is called tolerance, but in hell it is called despair … Dorothy L Sayers (1893-1957) Amen.

 

¹Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians (Vol. 19, p. 363). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.