2 Corinthians 11:12-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:5-15

After the foregoing preface to what he was about to say, the apostle in these verses mentions, I. His equality with the other apostles?that he was not a whit behind the very chief of the apostles, 2 Cor. 11:5. This he expresses very modestly: I suppose so. He might have spoken very positively. The apostleship, as an office, was equal in all the apostles; but the apostles, like other Christians, differed one from another. These stars differed one from another in glory, and Paul was indeed of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:7-15

11:7-15 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you should be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you for nothing? I plundered other Churches and took pay from them in order to render service to you. And when I was present with you and when I had been reduced to want I did not squeeze charity out of any man. The brothers who came from Macedonia again supplied my want. In everything I watched that I should not be a burden on you, and I will go on doing so. As Christ's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:12

But what I do, that I will do ,.... As he preached the Gospel freely at Corinth and in Achaia, so he was determined to do it for the future, for this reason only, or chiefly: that , says he, I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion : meaning the false apostles, who sought for, and were desirous of every occasion and opportunity of exalting themselves, and reproaching him: that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we; the sense of which according to some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:13

For such are false apostles ,.... Such as those he had in view, who sought an occasion to depress him, and exalt themselves, and to get money from the Corinthians; these were "false apostles", or apostles falsely so called; they had the name, but not the thing; they were not called and sent forth by Christ; they had not the grace of apostleship, or gifts qualifying them for that high office; the power and authority they exercised was usurped by them; they could not prove their mission by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:14

And no marvel ,.... This need not be wondered at, nor is it any new or strange thing; nor should it be thought to be incredible that there are such persons in being: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light ; a good angel, one that has his abode in the regions of light; and is possessed of divine and spiritual light and understanding; who is clothed and arrayed with light, this is his form and essence. The apostle speaks agreeably to the notion, of the Jews, who say F20 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:12

But what I do, etc. - I act thus that I may cut off occasion of glorying, boasting, or calumniating from them - the false prophets and his partisans, who seek occasion - who would be glad that I should become chargeable to you, that it might in some sort vindicate them who exact much from you; for they bring you into bondage, and devour you, 2 Corinthians 11:20 . Nothing could mortify these persons more than to find that the apostle did take nothing, and was resolved to take nothing;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:13

For such are false apostles - Persons who pretend to be apostles, but have no mission from Christ. Deceitful workers - They do preach and labor, but they have nothing but their own emolument in view. Transforming themselves - Assuming as far as they possibly can, consistently with their sinister views, the habit, manner, and doctrine of the apostles of Christ. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:14

And no marvel - Και ου θαυμαστον· And no wonder; it need not surprise you what the disciples do, when you consider the character of the master. Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light - As in 2 Corinthians 11:3 ; the apostle had the history of the temptation and fall of man particularly in view, it is very likely that here he refers to the same thing. In what ever form Satan appeared to our first mother, his pretensions and professions gave him the appearance of a good... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:12

Verse 12 12.But what I do. He again explains the reason of his intention. (831) The false Apostles, with the view of alluring to themselves ignorant persons, took no pay. Their serving gratuitously was a show of uncommon zeal. (832) If Paul had availed himself of his right, he would have given them occasion to raise their crest, as if they had been greatly superior to him. Paul, accordingly, that he might give them no occasion of doing injury, did himself, also, preach the Gospel, free of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:13

Verse 13 13.For such are false Apostles While he has already taken away from them what they chiefly desired, yet, not contented with having put himself on a level with them with respect to that in which they were desirous to excel, he leaves them nothing for which they deserve any commendation. It was apparently a laudable thing to despise money, but he says, that they make use of a pretense for the purpose of deceiving, exactly as if a harlot were to borrow the apparel of a decent matron. For... read more

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