Bible Chapter Summary
2 Corinthians 11 Summary
Paul Defends His Apostolic Authority
Paul appeals to the Corinthians to bear with him in his boasting, expressing godly jealousy to present them as a chaste virgin to Christ. He warns that false apostles have corrupted their minds from simplicity in Christ and that Satan transforms himself as an angel of light. Paul boasts of his apostolic labor—preaching the gospel freely, enduring stripes, shipwrecks, hunger, and dangers—and bearing the care of all churches, never being burdensome to them.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Corinthians 11:2
“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 11:13-15
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 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.”
2 Corinthians 11:23-27
“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”
2 Corinthians 11:28-29
“Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?”
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