2 Corinthians 11

Paul says he’s going to say some things that are going to sound “a little crazy” (2 Corinthians 11:1). Then he goes off on a bragging run, which could very well sound inappropriate and unbecoming. Why do you think he does that?

When Paul compares himself to his critics, he says, “I preached the good news to you without charging a thing” (2 Corinthians 11:7). Many Bible experts say they think Paul’s critics were preaching for profit by charging instruction fees. What difference do you think that might have made to the Christians in Corinth?

Paul not only refused to take donations from the Christians in Corinth but also covered his expenses with the help of churches in the northland region of Macedonia. That was a Roman province considered relatively poor to the province of Achaia, where the cities of Corinth and Athens were located. How do you think it may have made the Christians in Corinth feel that the Macedonians covered their ministry expenses?

Paul not only brags about preaching for free in the city of Corinth but also says, “I’m going to keep bragging about preaching for free. No one in all of Achaia is going to stop me” (2 Corinthians 11:10). That could seem a little mean-spirited. Why do you think he would say something like this?

Paul puts together an impressive list of suffering he has endured during his traveling ministry (2 Corinthians 11:24-28). Which ones do you think would have impressed the Corinthian Christians most?

• beaten five times with 39 lashes by Jews
• beaten with a rod three times
• stoned nearly to death
• shipwrecked three times
• adrift in the open sea 24 hours
• working all night
• working while hungry, thirsty, and cold
• constantly worried about the churches

LIFE APPLICATION. Paul complains that the Corinthian folks welcomed intruders who came preaching a twisted-sister version of Jesus, a spirit different from the Holy Spirit, and a different religion entirely. What kind of intrusions do you think threaten the Christian way of life today?

LIFE APPLICATION. Paul says it’s no surprise that the fake apostles try to pass themselves off as something good and godly. “Satan does the same thing. He tries to pass himself off as an angel” (2 Corinthians 11:14). What would be some examples of behavior that we get tricked into doing—dumb ideas that might feel right at the moment but that we generally regret later?

LIFE APPLICATION. Paul tells the Corinthian people, “When our folks get spiritually weak, don’t you think I feel it?” (2 Corinthians 11:29). When someone we know makes a bad decision because of the weakness they have, how does that seem to affect people who care about them?