2 Corinthians 11:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.

NIV: As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine.

NASB: As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.

CSB: As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.

NLT: As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this.

KJV: As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

NKJV: As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

The false teachers in Corinth probably accepted any donations they could get, as was the style of popular ancient orators. As part of their arrogance, they apparently mocked Paul for not doing the same. In fact, Paul was committed not to take anything from the Corinthians, though it was his right to receive support (1 Corinthians 9). Echoing the bad attitude of the false apostles, the Corinthians seem to have resented Paul's refusal to receive donations from them. They misinterpreted this as a sign that he did not love them (2 Corinthians 11:11).

Paul's refusal was based in not wanting anyone to second guess his motive for preaching the gospel. He would allow churches to support his ministry to other churches, just not their own. So, he received donations from the churches in Macedonia while working with the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 11:9), and he received money from the Corinthians to help him travel to other places (1 Corinthians 16:6).

Instead of being ashamed of this practice, Paul boasted about preaching the gospel free of charge. It was one more clear difference between him and the deceivers in Corinth who preached a false gospel about a false version of Jesus. Paul declares that, as sure as the truth of Christ is in him, he will continue to boast about this in the region of Achaia, where Corinth was. This is not prideful boasting on Paul's part, but evidence that he truly represents Christ and that Christ's gospel is true.

Second Corinthians 11:1–15 includes Paul's unmasking of the false apostles in Corinth. They are like the serpent in the garden tempting Eve. Or, they resemble a man trying to seduce a betrothed woman away from her promised husband. They disguise themselves as servants of righteousness as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Paul is a spiritual father who must protect the Corinthians from deceptions like a false Christ and a false spirit. Paul doubles down on his commitment not to take funds from the Corinthians for his own needs, simply to prove how he is different from the false apostles.

Second Corinthians 11 compares the believers in Corinth to a betrothed bride. It also pictures them as Eve facing temptation from the snake in the garden in Genesis 3. Paul's job as their spiritual father is to protect them from the lies of false apostles. These deceivers disguise themselves as servants of righteousness in the same way that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Paul is shocked the Corinthians put up with such harsh treatment from these men. He sarcastically pretends to brag about himself as the false teachers do about themselves. Instead, he boasts mostly about the ways he has endured suffering in his service to Christ.

Chapter 11 follows Paul's warning in the previous chapter. There, he vowed to be as bold as needed when he comes to see them in person. He describes himself as a protective spiritual father trying to save the Corinthians from the deceptions of the false apostles to teach a false gospel about a false Jesus. He is shocked the Corinthians put up with their harsh treatment and says he has decided to foolishly boast in order to compete with the false apostles. His boasting about his service to Christ, though, is mostly a long list of all the ways he has suffered for Christ. That theme continues into chapter 12, where Paul explains just how much his suffering has improved his walk with Christ.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.