Daily Scripture Reading 2Corinthians 11:10-33
The typical depiction of Satan is a red figure with horns who looks evil. In movies, the appearance of demons is accompanied by foreboding music that indicates the presence of something bad. If these representations are true, then it should be easy for humans to recognize Satan, his demons, and his influence.
Satan is evil, so these representations are true to an extent. The problem we will read about in today’s passage is that Satan disguises himself. Therefore, if Christians assume the influence of Satan will always be obvious, then they will be susceptible to being deceived. Today’s passage tells us how Satan disguises himself, which will help us avoid being led astray.
In chapter 11 Paul reminded the believers in Corinth that he had ministered to them at no charge. He did not ask them to support him financially when he was with them. In fact, he had asked other churches to support him during his stay in Corinth.
2Cor. 11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.
Corinth was in the region of Achaia.
2Cor. 11:11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
2Cor. 11:12 ¶ But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be found just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.
The phrase “what I am doing” refers to Paul’s willingness to minister to the Corinthians at no charge and without asking them for financial support.
Look at the phrase “those who desire an opportunity”. In chapter 11 verse 4 Paul warned the Corinthians against anyone who preached a gospel that was contrary to Paul’s gospel. Paul ministered without charge so he could deny opportunity to those who wanted to peddle a false gospel.
2Cor. 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
2Cor. 11:14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Notice that Satan disguises himself in a positive way. The typical depiction of Satan is a red figure with horns who looks evil. If that were true, then humans would always recognize Satan and be repelled because he would always look evil.
However, if Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, that means he appears to be good and righteous. That would mean humans would not be repelled by Satan.
2Cor. 11:15 Therefore it is not surprising if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
Just as Satan disguises himself to appear good, so too his ministers disguise themselves and appear to be righteous and good, when in fact they are not. This is a warning to us that false prophets appear to be real prophets. We should not evaluate preachers and evangelists based on appearances. We should not give credence to their teaching simply because they appear to be right or successful. Instead, we need to know the Bible and use it to evaluate what they say.
2Cor. 11:16 ¶ Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little.
2Cor. 11:17 What I am saying, I am not saying according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
2Cor. 11:18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.
2Cor. 11:19 For you, being so wise, are bearing the foolish gladly.
2Cor. 11:20 For you bear it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.
2Cor. 11:21 To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. ¶ But in whatever respect anyone else is daring—I speak in foolishness—I am just as daring myself.
2Cor. 11:22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s seed? So am I.
The false prophets were bragging about being Hebrews, but Paul was also a Hebrew, so anything they were claiming to be did not make them better or more qualified than Paul.
2Cor. 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, in beatings without number, in frequent danger of death.
Note the words “far more”. Paul’s sufferings as an apostle greatly exceeded the sufferings of the false apostles.
2Cor. 11:24 Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one.
In Deuteronomy 25:3 the Israelites were given permission to use corporal punishment, but the maximum number of strokes was 40. By the first century AD, the Jews only administered 39, so that they did not accidentally give more than 40.
Look at the number “five”. The Jews gave Paul corporal punishment five times.
2Cor. 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked—a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
2Cor. 11:26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the desolate places, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brothers.
2Cor. 11:27 I have been in labor and hardship, in many sleepless nights, in starvation and thirst, often hungry, in cold and without enough clothing.
Paul did not merely preach devotion to Christ and willingness to die for Him. He lived it. No amount of hardship stopped him from speaking the truth about Jesus.
This verse should put us to shame. Modern Christianity allows our culture to silence us with far less persecution than that which was endured by Paul.
2Cor. 11:28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
2Cor. 11:29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is made to stumble without my burning concern?
2Cor. 11:30 ¶ If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.
2Cor. 11:31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
2Cor. 11:32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me,
2Cor. 11:33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.
The typical depiction of Satan lulls Christians into thinking that Satan, his demons, his followers, and his influence will always be apparent. However, Satan is a liar and deceiver. He and his false teachers disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. That means when false doctrine comes at us, it will not always be obvious that it is false doctrine.
We have the complete Bible. We need to know it so that we know the truth and can recognize false teaching. Since we have the complete Bible, we have no excuse if we are taken in by false teachers.
What are some examples of preachers who appear to be godly and righteous, but their deeds and teaching reveal them to be false?
What are some ways that false teachers and false doctrine are disguised in modern Christianity?
How confident are you that you know the Bible well enough to recognize false teaching when you hear it?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”