Coffee & Devotions

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

With Bryan Schneider · Sharon RP Church

Published September 7, 2022

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Opening Prayer

Thank the Father for the day and his Word, asking him to give understanding and apply his truth to our lives.

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Scripture Passage



Concern for Their Faithfulness

1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Paul and False Apostles

5 For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.

7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. 9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.







The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 2 Co 11:1-15

A — About

What Is This Passage About?

Paul loves the Corinthians with a godly jealousy and warns them that false apostles can look righteous while corrupting the church with another Jesus, spirit, or gospel. His unpaid, self-humbling ministry demonstrates care rather than exploitation, and the church must judge teachers by the true apostolic Word instead of outward appearances.

B — Best Verse

Which Verse Best Summarizes the Passage?

2 Corinthians 11:13-14

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

Bryan explicitly identifies verses 13 and 14 as the best summary and asks whether listeners would underline them. They expose why outwardly impressive religious claims must be tested: Satan and his servants can disguise deception as light and righteousness.

C — Called or Christ

C — Called to Do

Test teachers by whether they faithfully explain the Bible rather than twisting it, seek leaders filled with God's Spirit who teach the pure Word, and remain loyal to Christ and the apostles' firm foundation.

Devotional Study

Transcript of the devotion. Minor transcription errors may remain.

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

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Read

Concern for Their Faithfulness

1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Paul and False Apostles

5 For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.

7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. 9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.







The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 2 Co 11:1-15

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