2 Corinthians 11:4-22

⁴For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.

⁵I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”

⁶Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible.

⁷Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?

⁸I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you.

⁹And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.

¹⁰As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.

¹¹Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

¹²But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.

¹³For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.

¹⁴And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

¹⁵It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

¹⁶I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

¹⁷In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool.

¹⁸Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast.

¹⁹For you gladly tolerate fools, since you are so wise.

²⁰In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face.

²¹To my shame I concede that we were too weak for that! Speaking as a fool, however, I can match what anyone else dares to boast about.

²²Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

— 2 Corinthians 11:4-22

(BSB)

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Related Resources from Heartlight

There are 2 resources related to this passage:

• All ( 13 )
• Articles ( 2 )
• Devos ( 8 )
• Illustrations ( 3 )

Pure and Simple

Article by Tom Norvell

How pure is your faith? We must return to the pure and simple faith of trusting in Christ.

Jesus, Be Born in Me

Article by Phil Ware

Like Mary, we don't know fully what we are committing to do, but we know that our ultimate destination is Jesus. Phil Ware reminds us of the gritty reality of Jesus' birth and Mary choosing to accept the challenge of being Jesus' mother and reminds us of our need to commit to have Jesus born in our lives.

Cross References for 2 Corinthians 11:4-22

• Galatians 1:8
• 2 Corinthians 2:11
• Galatians 2:4
• Galatians 1:7
• 2 Corinthians 11:3
• Galatians 1:6-8
• Revelation 2:2
• 2 Corinthians 4:2
• Philippians 3:2
• 1 John 4:1

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.