Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

2 Corinthians 11:17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Is there a legitimate cause for boasting in the Apostle Paul’s code of conduct? Not that he has understood from his Lord, there is no place for boasting in the ministry. And yet he was engaged precisely in this. Why the misalignment in his conduct? Hendriksen observed well, “Paul wants to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ who never boasted, but for the sake of influencing the Corinthians to better insight he momentarily adopts the character of a fool… what Paul is saying ought not to be interpreted as coming from the Lord but rather out of the circumstances into which Paul has been cast…. Momentarily he has adopted a role that is not his own, yet with it, he seeks to advance the cause of Christ.” He had a good reason for doing so but he was not impressed with the means by which he accomplished it, nevertheless, he felt was necessary to do so.

Gill provided further insight when he said, “Were it not for the necessity under which I am laid to vindicate my apostleship, my present glorying would be inconsistent with my Christian profession of humility, and knowing no one after the flesh.”

As we analyse and observe the work of the ministry, indeed, the enemy was cunning and shrewd, the Apostle Paul must have considered other possible alternative approaches in defending the gospel work established. This was directly striking at the core of the matter, he was in the ministry not for filthy lucre putting a contrast with the enemies of the gospel so that the eyes of the Corinthian church may be opened to the danger to their souls in accepting these individuals.

2 Corinthians 11:16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

The Apostle Paul had to share his credentials to authenticate his apostleship. It was not him to boast. He would rather be quiet than to blow his own trumpet. He was doing so not for himself. Rather it was to expose the false apostles. He did so for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian church. He says, in effect, “Even if you have to look on me as a fool, which I am not, even then receive me so that I may do a little boasting like these other men do.” [MacDonald]

Matthew Henry observed well here, “Ordinarily, indeed, it is unbecoming a wise man to be much and often speaking in his own praise. Boasting of ourselves is usually not only a sign of a proud mind, but a mark of folly also. However, says the apostle, yet as a fool receive me; that is, if you count it folly in me to boast a little, yet give due regard to what I shall say.”

2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

What a frightening prospect that Satan and his minions would pose as ministers of righteousness. Claiming to know the way of truth and righteousness, their secret agenda was to lead unknowing ones away from the truth. The Apostle Paul warned that such agents of the evil one will finally be judged of God. They end is destruction and perdition.

Satan operates in disguise. He may use the Bible but he does not preach the truth of the Bible. That is a frightening prospect. The Holy Spirit through the Word of God will expose the lies of Satan. God’s people are to go to His Word and study it for themselves with a prayer to seek God’s illumination to the truth.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

When Satan, described as the serpent, came to deceive Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He was so convincing that Adam and Eve believed the lie of Satan. What was the lie? If they will partake of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they shall not surely die!

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (Genesis 3:4)

That was a lie. And in order to entice Adam and Eve to believe the lie, there was an “incentive” bait!

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 4:5)

The enticement was to break free from their Creator. It was rather to suffer the consequence of Satan’s deception. Partaking the fruit will mean eternal spiritual death for Adam and Eve! With God’s judgment to be meted out, it is frightening to choose to be as gods, knowing good and evil, and suffering eternal damnation.

2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

In pointing out the enemies of the gospel as false apostles and deceitful workers, he alerted the Corinthian church to the peril to their souls. In his epistle to the Galatians he elaborated on his plea to them not to embrace another gospel, a gospel that does not save!

Galatians 1:6-20 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any manpreach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called meby his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

The Apostle Paul will not receive monetary remuneration from the Corinthian church and will continue with this practice. This would put him in stark contrast with the enemies of the gospel who will not serve unless they are paid. He knew that this will distinguish and set him apart from them as a testimony. Therefore, he will continue to do what he did. In this way, the enemies of the gospel will have no ground to fault the gospel that he preached. The Apostle Paul served his Lord Jesus and knew whom he served, the blessings of such service and source of his true reward!

He saw there were who preached Christ, the gospel that he knew and was gloriously saved. He rejoices in their good work – Philippians 1:15-18 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

However, these men who came into Corinth preached another gospel. As such, he felt compelled to sound the alarm bell to warn them. He was set for the defence of the true gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

It seemed that no matter what the apostle did, he was criticized. If he had taken money from the Corinthians, his opponents would have said he was just preaching for what he got out of it. By not taking money from them he subjected himself to the charge that he did not really love them. But God knows the truth of the matter, and Paul is content to leave it with Him. [MacDonald]

Such is the reality of the gospel work. Painful for one bearing under it. Yet, the Apostle Paul was able to bear it, by the grace of God. As he explained and tried to clarify his heart before the Corinthian church. He understood that this was at best what he could do. He had to leave the outcome and the change of hearts to the Lord.