College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
2 Corinthians 11 - Introduction
Butler's Commentary
Chapter Eleven
THE PROBLEM OF SLANDER
IDEAS TO INVESTIGATE:
1.
What is slander? Why are preachers slandered?
2.
Why would a man like Paul be slandered as unskilled in speaking?
3.
How did Paul rob the Corinthian church?
4.
What disguise did the false apostles use?
5.
Why did Paul boast if doing so was repugnant to him?
APPREHENSION:
1.
Did Paul really intend to act like a fool? How is he using the word foolishness?
2.
What does the word betrothed mean as Paul used it about his relationship to the Corinthian church?
3.
Where did the devil (serpent) direct his attack upon Eve?
4.
How could someone preach another Jesus?
5.
What was the different spirit some were receiving?
6.
Was Paul unskilled in speaking? What did he say about that in I Corinthians?
7.
Why did Paul preach the gospel to the Corinthians without cost?
8.
How did Paul support himself while he preached at Corinth?
9.
How did his preaching free of charge undermine the false teachers in Corinth?
10.
Where does the word disguise come from in this text?
11.
How does a servant of Satan disguise himself?
12.
Why did the Corinthians bear with those who enslaved them?
13.
What do you know about Paul's Jewish lineage? Why did he recite it here?
14.
How many times did Paul suffer beatings? What kind of beatings were they?
15.
How many times did he experience being shipwrecked?
16.
Name 7 perils-' Paul faced.
17.
In addition to all these, what psychological burdens did he bear? How often?
18.
Why does he relate the story about his sneaking out of Damascus in a basket?
APPLICATION:
1.
Why is it foolishness to compare one's accomplishments in the ministry? Is it ever not foolish? How can you be sure about practicing it?
2.
When you win someone to Christ do you feel like you have played the part of the Bridegroom's friend in betrothing them to Christ? Have you ever been instrumental in betrothing anyone to Christ?
3.
What is significant about Paul's information that the devil (serpent) attacked Eve's thoughts? Do you now see how important it is to bring every thought captive to obedience to Christ? (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). What is your congregation doing to bring people's thoughts captive to Christ?
4.
If people (like the Corinthians) receive the spirit of false teachers, whose spirit are they receiving? Can the evil spirit of Satan inhabit people without the phenomenon of demon possession? Isn-'t that Satan's most important method? Why? Do you know any Satan-spirited possessed people now?
5.
Are you unskilled in speaking? Should that hinder you from speaking the gospel to others? What do you need to say to speak the gospel? How do you need to say it? Why can-'t you?
6.
What are the advantages of self-supporting preachers? Disadvantages? Which do you think would make the kingdom of Christ grow most? Why?
7.
Are there religious leaders in the world today claiming to be apostles of Christ? Who? Are they? Why? What should be done about their claims?
8.
Have you discovered any messengers of Satan in disguise recently? Who? What did you do about it? Are you obligated to warn others about it?
9.
Is it alright to use sarcasm? When?
10.
What do you think of all the perils and difficulties Paul went through to preach the gospel? What do you think of Paul?
11.
How would you compare in self-sacrifice with Paul? Does his example make you want to do more for Jesus? Will you?
12.
Is it alright to be pressured and anxious about the church? Are you?
13.
Why has Paul made such a point to list all his weaknesses and troubles?
14.
Do you really believe the man of God's credentials are his weaknesses?
15.
What would you do if a man like the apostle Paul became the preacher at your church? Would you run him down, slander his credentials and methods? Would you admire him and work with him?
Special Study
A WATCHMAN FOR GOD
And at the end of seven days, the word of the Lord came to me: -Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.-' Ezekiel 3:16-17
Introduction
Some two thousand, five hundred years ago, a young Hebrew priest was taken as a Prisoner of War (POW) to a city and land far away from his homeland. Thousands of his countrymen were taken there with him. Some had already preceded them there. They were not tortured or starved to death by their conquerors. Some of them had risen to places of great prominence in the government of their conquerors.
But they were thrust into a culture and circumstances that reeked of idolatry and lasciviousness. The Hebrew people had been enamored of idolatry and wickedness and playing with it for 400 years, ever since the divided kingdom. Now God has shaken them among the nations (Goyim) like one shakes a sieve. If they think idolatry and worldliness is the reason for man's existence, God will give them a full blast of it. He will let them see it up close and personal! God is risking his reputation on this experiment. Many, in fact all, will have the choice of either embracing the idolatry which surrounds them and beckons so alluringly, or they may reject it. But what is the other choice? That is what the watchman was called to doproclaim the other choice. The other choice is redemption thru faith and obedience to God.
You see, God, ever since the tragedy of Eden, had been promising to redeem man from his self-made destructionand God had promised to do it by A Man! First, he started the human race over through one man and his family; out of that man's seed, and through that nation, God intended to produce the perfect man. He would redeem the world.
And for the moment, some 2500 years ago, the whole redemptive process falls upon the shoulders of a few, faithful, courageous watchmen like this priest-prophet. If a remnant of faithful people are to be saved from this wicked, blasphemous world, it will be through these few watchmen. Their's is an almost overwhelming responsibility. It will take total trust in the word of God and total commitment to the call of God. Whom shall God send, who will go for him, and be a watchman? BY NOW YOU KNOW I-'M TALKING ABOUT EZEKIEL, THE PRIEST, THE PROPHET, THE WATCHMAN
I.
SEE THE GLORY OF GOD, Ezek. ch. 1 (also Ezekiel 3:22-23, and Ezekiel 10:1-18)
A.
See God's Control
1.
Ezekiel was given a great mental vision of the Almighty God enthroned above all his creation. It showed God in control of all animate and inanimate creation (the creatures and the wheels).
2.
At great crises in the history of redemption, God called certain men aside and gave them such visions of his majestic glory (Moses, Isaiah, Daniel, John the apostle in the Revelation, Zechariah)
3.
At a critical point in the calling of the apostles the Lord Jesus took three of them aside, up to the mountain top, and there he let them see himself transfigured in all his divine glory.
IF EVER GOD SHALL HAVE A MAN TO BE A WATCHMAN, HE MUST BE A MAN WHO HAS SEEN THE MAJESTIC GLORY OF GOD IN CONTROL OF ALL CREATION, IN CONTROL OF ALL CIRCUMSTANCES AND ALL OF IT WORKING TO GOD'S GLORY! THAT IS WHAT EZEKIEL SAW OF HIS PEOPLE'S CIRCUMSTANCES. GOD IN CONTROL. GOD WORKING THEM TO SERVE HIS PURPOSES! THEN HE WAS SENT TO TELL THE PEOPLE WHAT HE HAD SEEN OF THE GLORY OF GOD!
One of the reasons there aren-'t more watchmen for God today is God's people have not seen the glory of God!
J.B. Phillips says in his little book, Your God Is Too Small: The trouble with many people today is that they have not found a God big enough for modern needs. While their experience of life has grown in a score of directions, and their mental horizons have been expanded to the point of bewilderment by world events and by scientific discoveries, their idea of God have remained largely static. It is obviously impossible for an adult to worship the conception of God that exists in the mind of a child of Sunday-school age, unless he is prepared to deny his own experience of life. he worships or serves a God who is really too small to command his adult loyalty and cooperation.
If it is true that there is Someone in charge of the whole mystery of life and death, we can hardly expect to escape a sense of futility and frustration until we begin to see what He is like and what His purposes are.
B.
See God's Character
1.
One of the things Ezekiel saw in this great vision was the rainbow surrounding the throne of the Almighty God. John the Apostle saw the same rainbow (Revelation 4:3). THE RAINBOW IS, OF COURSE, SYMBOLIC OF GOD'S GREATEST CHARACTERISTIC. HIS FAITHFULNESS!
2.
Ezekiel saw that God was being faithful to his promises even in the circumstances surrounding him. Faithfulness is the foundation of all goodness. Without faithfulness, words are false and not to be trusteddeeds are exploitative and unloving. Faithfulness is love in action.
3.
This is what God kept telling his people century after century through the patriarchs and the prophets. I WILL KEEP MY WORD. I AM FAITHFUL. I DO LOVE YOU. I AM REDEEMING YOU.
C.
See God's Son
1.
People today clamor for what they think would turn them to God. a vision of God's glory like Ezekiel, or Isaiah, or Zechariah or John the apostle. THEY WANT A MIRACLE TO HAPPEN OR THEY DO NOT THINK THEY CAN SEE THE GLORY OF GOD.
2.
Yet the N.T. tells us clearly that we may see the glory of God in Jesus, through the word of the apostles. Peter: For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, -This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,-' we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
AND PETER CONTINUES TO INSIST IN THE WORDS FOLLOWING THESE THAT CHRISTIANS ARE TO SEE THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE INSPIRED WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURES (2 Peter 1:16-21).
John: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of lifethe life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to usthat which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-4.
Paul: Talking about the New Covenant Word which he had planted in the hearts of the Corinthians said: And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.
SEEING THE GLORY OF GOD IN HIS SON, THROUGH THE WORD OF THE APOSTLES IS BETTER THAN SEEING IT IN A VISION. JESUS SAID TO THOMAS, HAVE YOU BELIEVED BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET BELIEVE.
THAT IS WHAT OZARK CHRISTIAN COLLEGE EXISTS FOR. TO MAKE WATCHMEN. TO COMMUNICATE FROM THE WORD, THE GLORY OF GOD. THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE HERE FOR. TO SEE THAT GLORY! REMEMBER WHAT REUBEL SHELLY SAID NOT TOO LONG AGO IN THIS VERY CHAPEL ABOUT MORE STUDY OF THE GOSPELS. MORE PREACHING FROM THE GOSPELS!
The man who fanned into flame the great revival of the 18th century in America. called the Great Awakening. a contemporary of the American Revolution. Jonathan Edwards was suddenly converted, in the moment of reading a single verse of the N.T. He was at home in his father's house; some hindrances kept him from going to church one Sunday with the family. A couple of hours with nothing to do sent him listlessly into the library; the sight of a dull volume with no title on the leather back of it evoked curiosity as to what it could be; he opened it at random and found it to be a Bible; and then his eye caught this verse: Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen!
He tells us in his journal that the immediate effect of it was awakening and alarming to his soul: for it brought him a most novel and most extensive thought of the vastness and majesty of the true Sovereign of the universe. Out of this grew the pain of guilt for having resisted such a Monarch so long, and for having served Him so poorly.
GOD MUST HAVE WATCHMEN. BUT FIRST THEY MUST SEE HIS GLORY. HIS GLORY IS ALL AROUND MANKIND. IT IS IN THE STARS, IN THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE. BUT THE GLORY THAT MAKES MEN INTO WATCHMEN IS SEEN IN HIS SON, THROUGH THE WORD WHERE HE IS BEHELD WITH THE EYE OF FAITH, NOT OF FLESH!
II.
SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD, Ezek. ch. 2 & 3
A.
No Matter What It Says
1.
Ezekiel was given a scroll to eat and told to eat what was offered AND THEN TO GO SPEAK TO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL! SPEAK GOD'S WORDS! The scroll represents all God has to say to his people. It is a symbol used often in the scriptures. John the apostle saw a scroll in the right hand of him who sat upon the throne of heaven, sealed with seven seals, and when each seal was opened, some frightful things issued forth from that scroll. Again, John is given a scroll to eat, in Revelation 10:1-11, it contained things both bitter and sweet. BUT JOHN WAS TOLD HE MUST PREACH WHAT WAS ON THAT SCROLL.
2.
The watchman of God must tell the whole story. He cannot deal with the truth in an underhanded way. as a peddler of God's word (a huckster).
He must not practice cunning or tamper with God's word (2 Corinthians 2:1-17; 2 Corinthians 4:1-18). He must not market God's people by being false with the word (2 Peter 2:3 where the word for emporium is translated exploit) and the Gr. word translated false is plastois (Eng. plastic).
3.
Jeremiah nearly lost his life, a number of times, for telling it like God said. So did Daniel, Shadrach, Meshech and Abed-nego. So did the Apostles.
THEY DID LOSE THEIR REPUTATION WITH THE WORLD, THEY LOST THEIR WORLDLY FRIENDS, MOST OF THEIR WORLDLY POSSESSIONS.
MANY CHRISTIANS HAD (Hebrews 10:32-39) THEIR PROPERTY, JOYFULLY
4.
Paul, often, suffered the loneliness of being alienated even from his Christian brethren (read I and II Corinthians) because he dared declare the whole counsel of God, just as he did to those at Ephesus, house to house, with tears, night and day.
IF YOU WILL BE A WATCHMAN OF GOD YOU MUST PREACH THE WHOLE WORD OF GOD. AND OF COURSE TO PREACH IT YOU MUST KNOW IT, HEREMENEUTICALLY, HISTORICALLY, GRAMATICALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY. WITH THE HEART!
B.
No Matter Whether They Hear or Not!
1.
Ezekiel had quite a constituency to which to preach! Hard-headed, rebellious, stubborn, impudent, wicked, unlistening. A CONGREGATION OF TELEPHONE POLES WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER. AT LEAST THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IMPUDENT!
You can read about the attitudes of Ezekiel's congregation in Jeremiah's book, too!
2.
But Ezekiel preached the Word of God to them.
He told them they were Ichabods. The Glory has Departed.
He told them they were whores unfaithful to God.
He told them their false prophets were liars, soul-hunters.
He told them they were a useless vine, only good for burning.
He told them they were deceiving themselves with their false parable, The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge! IRRESPONSIBLE, GUTLESS NATION BLAMING THEIR ANCESTORS FOR THEIR OWN SINS.
of the nations No hiding place there he said.
He preached the glorious, great, demonstrable, worldwide victory of God over the worst the world could do to stop his redemptive plan. Gog and Magog (which I believe is fulfilled in Christ and the Church, now, not the millennium).
He preached the future glorious city, and sanctuary. his great temple, which if literally built would have engulfed the whole city of Jerusalem of Hezekiah. (which is also the Church of the Christian dispensation.)
3.
BUT THEY DIDN-'T LISTEN. FOR THE MOST PART ONLY A FEW BELIEVED HIM!
God told Ezekiel his success was not to be measured in whether anyone listened or not. only in whether he spoke or not.
As God's watchman, if he warned, if he spoke all the counsel of God, he would be free of the blood of all men. Jesus told his apostles they would be sent to sow where others would reap, and reap where others had sown. The important matter is in the speaking. not the response.
WATCHMEN ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESPONSE. ONLY FOR THE PROCLAMATION!
Paul did not care what people thought of his eloquence or how they compared his message with that of the Greek philosophers. he only cared that they hear from him the word of God, clearly, correctly, and faithfully.
Paul's instructions to his students and co-workers in the Lord, Timothy and Titus was, Preach the word..
Listen to these words from one of the greatest preachers of the Word this country has ever know:
In his 71st year, reviewing some of the highlights of his long and active life in the ministry, R.A. Torrey said: If I had my life to live all over again, I would spend less time in praying and more time feeding on the Word of God. This is the man who preached all over the world had 70,000 responses to his preaching in Great Britain alone; was most responsible for Moody Bible Institute's greatness; began the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, BIOLA; wrote The Fundamentals and many works on Apologetics.
Moody himself said: In prayer we talk to God, and in the study of the Bible God talks to usand you had better let God do most of the talking!
R.A. Torrey was famous for his sermons being logical, unemotional, to the point, hermeneutically correct, and full of Bible. For some of his campaigns he engaged as a songleader a man named Homer Hammontree. Hammontree was struck by the manner of the evangelist's invitations. There was little emotion or entreatyalmost a take it or leave it. In some of his first services with Torrey no one came forward. After several such nights he asked him, Dr. Torrey doesn-'t it bother you when they don-'t come?
Bother me, Hammie?. Hammie, that's none of my business. It's my business to preach the Gospel. it's His business to bring results. In a later service Hammie saw over one hundred people stand up and come forward at the invitation. His favorite sermon was 10 Reasons Why I Believe the Bible is the Word of God PREACH THE WORD. THE WORD HAS AUTOMATIC LIFE IN ITSELF (Mark 4:28. the Greek word there is actually, automate from which we get automatic). Produces of itself
III.
SERVE THE PEOPLE OF GOD, Ezekiel, ch. 2-12
A.
In the difficult places
1.
Ezekiel was not sent to a people who would be responsive. He was sent to his own people who had heard the message over and over and over and over.
God told him he was not sending him to a people of foreign speech and a hard language. who would surely listen to him. but he was sent to the house of Israel who would not listen to him because they would not listen to God
2.
Sometimes the foreign mission field is considered an easy place to serve. Many a missionary has returned to the good old USA and said I-'m glad I don-'t serve here! Some of our own kids who went behind the Iron Curtain a few years ago with TCM heard communist-controlled people say, I-'m glad I don-'t have to live in the US and try to be a Christian.
3.
Actually, there aren-'t any easy places to serve. Service takes humility and work, wherever you are, and none of that is easy! Read II Corinthians some time when you get discouraged with your lot! Read Jeremiah, read I Peter. Read the Gospels. Read Church History.
B.
Doing Things You Don-'t Like To Do
1.
Ezekiel was called upon to do many things down in an unclean world that traumatized every fiber of his Jewish upbringing. just like Daniel.
2.
First there was his audience.
Second there were the inconveniences and seemingly silly things God asked him to do to communicate his message, like drawing pictures (on an overhead projector) clay tablet; like cooking his meals on unclean fuel; like lying bound hand and foot for long hours every day for months; like cutting his hair and shaving his beard and going through the streets throwing little portions of it around while he preached; like digging holes in the wall and carrying baggage back and forth through them.
3.
I read one time of missionaries in New Guinea, in the jungles, among head-hunters. They were invited to a feast in the village of a tribe they desperately wanted to reach with the Gospel. The main course was monkey meat. Near the end of the meal, the old tribal chief took one of the roasted bones with a little meat left on it and began to scrape it off under his fingernail. Earlier he had been scratching his naked body all over and rubbing his fingers between his toes, scratching his matted hair. He began to roll this meat into a little ball. then he motioned for one of the white ladies to open her mouth. as she did he popped this ball of monkey meat into her mouth. She knew if she spat it out the chief would be deeply offended and they probably would never get to speak to the tribe of the gospel. So she swallowed it! Along with pride and revulsion and maybe even good sense. she swallowed it!
HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO SWALLOW FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL. HOW MUCH CAN YOU TAKE FOR GOD IN ORDER TO BE A WATCHMAN.
Are you willing to have no place to lay your head. willing to eat with sinners and publicans. willing to eat with and talk to hypocrites. willing to become all things to all men in order to win some?
C.
Even when It Overwhelms You
1.
Ezekiel went, in the heat of his spirit, the hand of the Lord being strong upon him. and sat among his people overwhelmed among them seven days. 2 Corinthians 3:14
HE WASN-'T BITTER TOWARD THE LORD. HE WAS SUFFERING THE BITTERNESS OF THE TASK BEFORE HIM! IT SEEMED OVERWHELMING. HE WAS LIKE MOSES. THE JOB SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE!
But when God makes you a watchman, he does not hold you responsible for resultsrememberonly for proclaiming and serving.
Saving the whole world will always seem to us to be overwhelming. BUT SAVING THE WORLD IS NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY. PREACHING IS!
2.
In one of Paul Harvey's books, Destiny (from a series of Now You Know The Rest of The Story) comes the story entitled, Anatomy of a Hypochrondiac:
37 years youngtoo young to be dyingand yet the symptoms of terminal heart disease were unmistakable. She told friends that her life now hung by a thread, which might snap at any moment. And she went to bed. And waited to die. And did not. Instead she became an invalid, a fearful captive of the fatal symptoms that strangely refused to kill her. So many symptomswith but one source: psychoneurosis. It was all in her mind. This, then is the anatomy of a hypochondriac.
The peculiar illnesses began when she was about 17. Her wealthy, socially ambitious parents had plans for her; she had her own plans, which included independence from her parents. While I do not mean to suggest that the young lady was playing sick, it must be noted that virtually all her illnesses followed family argumentsas though sickness had become her subliminal defense against parental manipulation. Age 33 she finally left home, got her own place to live, got happy. Her family frustrations gone, so fled her psychosomatic swooning. This bliss lasted for three years. For three years she was an achiever, a woman of responsibility and boundless energy whose only aches and pains were legitimate ones.
You, the investigator of her case history, must be alert at this point, must watch for that moment at which she lapsed into her former self. She was 36 when it happened. Palpitations, respiratory difficulty, sick at the sight of food. Within months she was bedridden, her pulse frighteningly rapid. There she stayed. On occasion her condition grew suddenly worse, and the occasions were almost always predictable. Unwelcome visitors routinely inspired headaches and chest pains and gasping for breath. By now, apparently her psychoneurosis had become a well-oiled problem solving machine. She may even have understood it at one level or another, although outwardly she believed herself to be constantly at the brink of death.
37 years old. Invalid. Anxiously awaiting the dread moment when her heart would drop out from under her. One day it did. She was 90!
Her illness really was psychosomatic, you see. For 53 years, more than half a century, she lived in bedfor nothing. True, her confinement accomplished certain things. It brought the people she wanted to her side, as her sudden attacks drove the unwanted away. Her bed even proved a comfortable vantage point from which she could observe and administer the work of others. Yet the psychoneurosis which held her prisoner for most of her life had deeper roots still.
Remember those 3 years during which she was not plagued by imaginary illnesses? Those years she had spent alleviating the suffering of others. Most of that time at the Crimean War front. For the passion her parents tried to suppress, a profession then regarded as unbecoming, was nursing. The young lady was happy only as an active nurse. Otherwise, she was a hopeless, helpless hypochondriac.
Yet so astonishing was her physical and emotional strength, her sheer endurance as a nurse during the Crimean War, that nursing became a respectable occupation through her example.
The world forgot, or chose to ignore, that she spent the rest of her lifemore than half a centuryin bed, in fear, in vain.
You know her as Florence Nightingale. Only now, you know THE REST OF THE STORY!
IF IT IS IN YOUR HEART TO BE GOD'S WATCHMAN, LET NO ONE DETER YOU! THE PERSON WITH A WATCHMAN'S HEART, MUST SERVE, MUST SPEAK, HE CANNOT BE HAPPY UNLESS HE IS. EVEN WHEN THE TASK SEEMS OVERWHELMING.
CONCLUSION
Twenty years ago, about this time of the year, Easter, I was holding a revival in Grenola, Kansas (the town made famous by the Wartick family). With me was a young OBC student and his girl friend. They were doing the special music, etc. And let me tell you that etc. was fun to watchthey were love sick. It was at that revival they announced their engagement to be married. The future bride's mother was there for a night or two for the occasion.
Twenty years later, that former OBC student and his wife and family are watchmen for God. Hear what he writes:
We have been praying for the upbuilding of the Chinese Church in No. Thailand. In the last 5 years great strides have been made in this area. It is getting difficult to find Chinese communities where the gospel has not been preached and there are Christians. There are still a few. Within a year the church in Piang Luang has doubled and is growing in quality.. Just a few years ago there were no Christians among the Shan.. Twenty Shans have started Bible training in the last year in Burma. in order to preach among their own people.. This is an answer to prayer. And much more will be accomplished if you and I continue to pray. I should say, Start to pray. Let's stop praying, Protect and bless the missionaries but pray clothe them with your whole armor and put them in the battle. Let your kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven whether by our life or death. May every Power in the heaven lies be brought under your subjection as the gospel is preached.
That's my dear brother, former student, and a little Okie from Muskogee Alan Bemo and his wife, the former Janet Dittemore. YOU CAN BE A WATCHMAN FOR GOD. YOU ARE A WATCHMAN FROM GOD. THE TRUMPET OF GOD IS BEING PASSED INTO YOUR HAND THIS VERY HOUR, THIS VERY SEMESTER!
Applebury's Comments
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Analysis
A.
Paul appealed to the Corinthians to understand his position in respect to their relation to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:1-5).
1.
He began with an ironical appeal for them to bear with a little foolishness (2 Corinthians 11:1-6).
a)
He made the appeal even though he aware that they were bearing with him (2 Corinthians 11:1).
b)
He stated his position in respect to their relation to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2-3).
(1)
He was the one who had betrothed them to Christ.
(a)
As such, he was jealous of others who might usurp his position.
(b)
He wanted them to remain as a pure virgin betrothed to Christ.
(c)
He reminded them that Christ was to be their one husband.
(2)
He expressed his fear that they might be led away from this pure relationship to Christ.
(a)
Just as the serpent deceived Eve, they were being deceived by false teachers.
(b)
They were actually in danger of being led away from sincere devotion to Christ.
c)
He pointed out the conditions under which they were ready to listen to other teachers (2 Corinthians 11:4).
(1)
They would listen if some came preaching another Jesus.
(2)
They would listen if they received a different spirit than that which they had received when they accepted the gospel that Paul preachedthis is a part of the foolishness about which he wrote.
(3)
They would even listen to a different gospel which was not the one they accepted when he led them to Christ.
d)
He defended his apostleship against these deceivers (2 Corinthians 11:5-6).
(1)
He was in no way inferior to these super-apostles.
(2)
He admitted that he was no professional orator, but defended his knowledge which he had in every way shown to be from God. They had seen the evidence that this was true.
2.
He contrasted his ministry at Corinth with that of the false teachers (2 Corinthians 11:7-15).
a)
He asked, Did I sin in lowering myself that you might be exalted? (2 Corinthians 11:7-11)
(1)
This issue was based on the fact that he had preached the gospel to them without charge (2 Corinthians 11:7).
(2)
Ironically, he stated that he had robbed other churcheshe had accepted support from themin order to preach the gospel without charge to the Corinthians. (2 Corinthians 11:8)
(3)
The brethren of Macedonia had supplied his needs when he was at Corinth and in want. (2 Corinthians 11:9 a).
(4)
He determined not to be a burden to them and that no one would stop him from boasting about this in Achaia (2 Corinthians 11:9 b - 2 Corinthians 11:10).
(5)
Why was this? It was to show his love for them, for God knew that he did love them (2 Corinthians 11:11).
b)
He explained his reason for continuing this policy in Achaia (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).
(1)
It was to prevent others from making the claim that they were on the same footing as Paul in relation to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 11:12).
(2)
It was to show the real motive of others (2 Corinthians 11:13).
(a)
He revealed what they really were:
i)
False apostles.
ii)
Deceitful workers.
iii)
False apostles of Christ.
(b)
He revealed their relation to Satan (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
i)
Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
ii)
His servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. See Romans 6:16 ff.
(c)
He revealed what their end will be: It will be according to their deeds.
B.
Paul ironically asked to be allowed to boast a little (2 Corinthians 11:16-33).
1.
He asked that no one think him foolish; yet if they did, he wanted them to allow him to boast a little (2 Corinthians 11:16-21 a).
a)
He asked them to accept him even if he was boasting foolishly (2 Corinthians 11:16).
b)
This approach was not the manner in which the Lord had appealed to His hearers (2 Corinthians 11:17 a). See 2 Corinthians 10:1.
c)
He had confidence in his grounds for boasting about these things (2 Corinthians 11:17 b).
d)
Since others gloried in the fleshtheir human accomplishmentshe would also, for the Corinthians seemed to be willing to listen to this foolishness. They thought of themselves as being wise. (2 Corinthians 11:18-19).
d)
He described the type of man they were willing to put up with (2 Corinthians 11:20).
(1)
One who enslaved them.
(2)
One who devoured them.
(3)
One who took advantage of them.
(4)
One who exalted himself.
(5)
One who struck them in the face.
f)
Judged by such standards Paul admitted that he was weak (2 Corinthians 11:21 a).
2.
He compared his grounds for boastinghis labors and sufferingswith that of others (2 Corinthians 11:21 b - 2 Corinthians 11:29).
a)
In relation to the fathers, he was their equal (21 b - 2 Corinthians 11:22).
(1)
Are they Hebrews? So was he.
(2)
Are they Israelites? So was he.
(3)
Are they Abraham's seed? So was he.
b)
In relation to Christ, he excelled them (2 Corinthians 11:23).
(1)
To call them ministers of Christ is to speak as one who is mad.
(2)
Paul excelled them in labors, imprisonments, beatings, and death for Christ.
c)
In relation to the things he suffered as a minister of Christ, he was far beyond them (2 Corinthians 11:24-29).
(1)
Beatings, stonings, shipwrecks (2 Corinthians 11:24-25).
(2)
Journeys and perils (2 Corinthians 11:26).
(3)
Labors, travail, watchings, hunger, thirst, fastings, cold and nakedness (2 Corinthians 11:27).
(4)
Anxiety for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28).
(5)
Identity with the weak and stumbling (2 Corinthians 11:29).
3.
He presented an example of the solemn truth about his boasting in weakness (2 Corinthians 11:30-33).
a)
The truth of this account was known to the God and Father of the Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 11:30-31).
b)
As evidence of his weakness, he related the story of his escape from persecution at the hands of the governor under Aretas (2 Corinthians 11:32-33).
Questions
1.
Why did Paul ask that they bear with him in a little foolishness?
2.
Why did he say that they were bearing with him? What evidence did he have to prove this?
3.
Why did Paul say, I am jealous over you?
4.
To what kind of jealousy did he refer? How did he illustrate it?
5.
What were the Corinthians doing to make him jealous?
6.
What was Paul's position in their relation to Christ?
7.
How does marriage explain the relation of the believer to Christ?
8.
What had Paul written to the Corinthians on the subject of marriage that would cause him to recall this point?
9.
What had Paul written to the Ephesians illustrating the same point?
10.
What is suggested in Revelation on the subject?
11.
Why was it necessary for Paul to use the word pure in connection with the word virgin?
12.
What was he implying by the use of these terms as to the conduct of the Corinthians?
13.
How had Satan completely deceived Eve?
14.
What grounds did Paul have for his fears that the Corinthians were being deceived?
15.
What did John say about the old serpent?
16.
How is the craftiness of Satan illustrated in his deception of Eve?
17.
What is meant by the simplicity and purity that it showed toward Christ?
18.
Explain how the word translated simplicity can also be translated liberality.
19.
How can the Christian guard himself against the crafty deception of Satan?
20.
What is the first business of the church?
21.
What comparison can be made between Jesus whom Paul preached and the Jesus whom the false apostles were preaching?
22.
What was the different spirit which they were receiving?
23.
What did Paul mean when he asked the Galatians, Did ye receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?
24.
What did he mean when he asked the disciples at Ephesus Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed?
25.
What did the Christians at Rome receive that enabled them to call God Father?
26.
What, then, was the different spirit which the Corinthians received when they listened to the super-apostles?
27.
How did the gospel which Paul preached compare with the different gospel preached by the false apostles?
28.
Why did he say that they did well to bear with such false teachers?
29.
What did Paul say about himself in comparison to such teachers?
30.
What is meant by the word that is translated rude in some of our Bibles?
31.
What may be said of Paul's style and manner of speech and writing?
32.
What claim did Paul make as to his knowledge? Why?
33.
Why did Paul ask, Did I commit a sin? by not taking wages from the Corinthians?
34.
How had Paul demonstrated to the Corinthians that his message was from God?
35.
How had he been supported when he was at Corinth?
36.
How are we to understand his statement that he robbed other church?
37.
What did Paul say to the Philippians about the support of his ministry?
38.
Why did he say that no one could stop him from boasting about this policy in the regions of Achaia?
39.
Why did he raise the question of his love for them in this connection?
40.
In what terms did Paul describe these false teachers?
41.
In what terms did he describe Satan's activity?
42.
In what terms did Jesus and Peter describe Satan?
43.
How explain the irony in Paul's reference to foolishness?
44.
Why did he say, I speak not after the Lord?
45.
What were the false teachers at Corinth boasting about?
46.
Why did Paul feel a sense of shame in having to boast about the things he had suffered in his ministry for Christ?
47.
How did Paul compare with the super-apostles in relation to the Israelites? the Hebrews? the ministry for Christ?
48.
What is the meaning of Hebrews and Israelites?
49.
Who are the seed of Abraham?
50.
Into what categories did Paul put the things he had suffered as an apostle of Christ?
51.
What did he mean by anxiety for all the churches?
52.
What had been his attitude toward the weak?
53.
Why did he insist that he would boast only in his weakness?
For Discussion
1.
What are some of the crafty ways in which Satan is attempting to deceive the church today?
2.
What can the church do to demonstrate its faithfulness to Christ?