2 Corinthians 11:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.

NIV: I do not think I am in the least inferior to those 'super-apostles.'

NASB: For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.

CSB: Now I consider myself in no way inferior to those "super-apostles."

NLT: But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these 'super apostles' who teach such things.

KJV: For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

NKJV: For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.

Second Corinthians has mostly been answering accusations from false apostles against Paul. We can guess at some of those accusations from the context of Paul's responses. They seem to have suggested that a true apostle, according to their warped approach, would not suffer so much or so often. They have also said that Paul is bold when writing from far away, but that in person "his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account" (2 Corinthians 10:10). The implication is that Paul is either a fraud, or a coward, or both.

By contrast, Paul suggests these false teachers think themselves "super apostles." They may have been highly skilled in the speaking and presentation skills so valued in Greek society. They may have been better- and stronger-looking than Paul. Culture of that era placed great value in entertaining, clever speech and showmanship. In short, the "super-apostles" were far more likely to be cast in the role of "apostle" in a play than Paul ever would have been.

In the end, though, only Paul was actually an apostle: a representative of Christ sent to bring the gospel to the Corinthians. These others were not. Paul declares here that he is not inferior to these "super-apostles" in any way. Paul does not mean to say they are actually "super-apostles." His use of that term is sarcastic: mocking their impressive-seeming external qualities.

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.