2 Corinthians 13:7-13 Gentleness over Harshness

The apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Corinthians by calling on them to abide by the word of God and rid themselves of evil. By dwelling in the truth, believers are made new as their sin is washed away in redemption, and wisdom attained through scripture. Paul’s prayer for the Corinthians focuses on strength […]

2 Corinthians 12:11-21 Signs of an Apostle

Because they had been exposed to boasting by the Judaizers, the Corinthians expected Paul to also boast about his accomplishments and more importantly, about the blessings bestowed upon the apostle by almighty God. Instead of boasting about things that set him apart from other apostles, Paul’s boasting was aimed at glorifying God and edifying the […]

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 The Thorn in Paul’s Side

Paul compared his boasting to that of the Judaizers in Corinth, where self-proclaimed men of God made false claims about their relationship with Christ as well as the outpouring of blessings he bestowed upon them. On the flip side was the apostle Paul, boasting about his weaknesses and using his downfalls as stepping stones for […]

2 Corinthians 12:1-6 Paul’s Vision of Paradise

Paul had been confronting the Judaizers about their boasting in Corinth. He boasted himself, of his infirmities or weaknesses by which he would continue to advance the gospel of Jesus christ through any means made available to him by God almighty. “1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to […]

2 Corinthians 11:22-33 Suffering for Christ

Using a rhetorical tone the apostle Paul now confronts his opposers with the trail of his own sacrifices and suffering for Christ. He begins by comparing their esteemed Judaic lineage with his own which he reveals is identical. “22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed […]

2 Corinthians 11:16-21 Reluctant Boasting

The apostle Paul continues his rebuke of the Judaizers in Corinth by addressing their boasting which he deems inappropriate. Because he was labeled as soft spoken and weak by the same false teachers in Corinth, Paul calls on his audience to extend to him the same courtesy as that offered to pagans throughout the region. […]

2 Corinthians 11:5-15 Paul versus False Teachers

Paul felt his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ was under attack by false teachers in Corinth who preached a gospel different than the truth made known to Paul by the Lord Himself. Now comparing himself to the so called apostles in Corinth, Paul declares his authority as not at all less than these […]

2 Corinthians 11:1-4 Paul’s Concern for False Teaching

In Paul’s rebuke of the Judaizers who opposed his teaching, the apostle accuses the false teachers in Corinth of preaching a different gospel than Paul’s which he knew to be the only truth. The apostle confronts his accusers with a passive aggressive tone. “1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and […]

2 Corinthians 10:12-18 Limits of Paul’s Authority

The apostle Paul found himself in a position of rebuke toward competing self-serving teachers in Corinth who were opposed Paul’s authority. In the following section of his third letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle now provides an instrument of measure by which all believers should be judged. “12 For we dare not class ourselves […]