2 Corinthians 11:13

11:5-15 It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially when we consider the great power which Satan, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, has upon the minds of many. And as there are temptations to evil conduct, so there is equal danger on the other side. It serves Satan's purposes as well, to set up good works against the atonement of Christ, and salvation by faith and grace. But the end will discover those who are deceitful workers; their work will end in ruin. Satan will allow his ministers to preach either the law or the gospel separately; but the law as established by faith in Christ's righteousness and atonement, and the partaking of his Spirit, is the test of every false system.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 . For such are false apostles — Whatever they may pretend to the contrary, being destitute of that divine mission which all the true apostles have; deceitful workers — Pretending to great disinterestedness in their work, while their only design is to promote their own interest; transforming themselves into the appearance of apostles of Christ — By pretending to preach the gospel without reward. And no marvel they assume that appearance; for Satan himself — In subordination to whom they act, can put on such deceitful appearances, and be transformed into an angel of light — Wearing, on certain occasions, a mask of sanctity and religion, in his attempts to deceive and insnare the souls of men, so that one would imagine his suggestions to be of a celestial and divine original. “In this manner, it may be supposed, Satan transformed himself, when he tempted our Lord in the wilderness; and in like manner also when he tempted our first mother Eve. Evil spirits are called angels of darkness, because they employ themselves in promoting error and wickedness, which is spiritual darkness.

Whereas, good angels are called angels of light, because they employ themselves in promoting truth and virtue, which is spiritual light.” Therefore, it is no great thing — Nothing extraordinary; if his ministers also, under his influence, be transformed — That is, make themselves to appear; as ministers of righteousness — False teachers are justly called ministers of Satan, because they are employed in disseminating error, whereby Satan’s kingdom is supported in the world. And, on the other hand, with equal propriety are the teachers of true doctrine called ministers of righteousness, because of the efficacy of true doctrine to promote righteousness in them who receive it: whose end — Notwithstanding all their disguises; shall be according to their works — Here the end, as in Romans 6:21 , signifies the final issue of a course of action; consequently the retribution which shall be made to the actor.

{6} For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (6) Now at length he portrays these fellows as they truly are, forewarning that it will come to pass that they will at length betray themselves, no matter how they may be pretending that they have a zeal for God's glory.

For such are false apostles; that is, persons pretending to be sent of Christ, but were indeed never sent of him. Deceitful workers; persons whose work is but to cheat and deceive you; and that both with reference to their call and authority which they pretend to, and also to the doctrine which they bring. Transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ; they were never apostles of Christ, only they put themselves into such a shape and form, that they might have more advantage to deceive.

2 Corinthians 11:13 . Οἱ γὰρ τοιοῦτοι , for such ) The reason is herein given, [aetiologia] why he is unwilling, that they should be thought like him.— ψευδαπόστολοι , false apostles ) This is now part of the predicate; the antithesis is at 2 Corinthians 11:5 . At length he calls a spade a spade. Δόλιοι , deceitful , presently afterwards, is in conformity with it. [ This is remarkable severity of language. Not a few have been of opinion: Such men are of a disposition not altogether to be despised, and it was not proper, that they should be so invidiously covered with disgrace: viz., They saw Christ, and now give their daily testimony to Him; they therefore ought to hold some place among others. But the cause of truth is most delicate; and the Indifferentism, which is so pleasant to many in the present day , was not cultivated by Paul . (Er war kein so gefälliger Toleranz-Prediger. He was no pleasant preacher of toleration. ) There is this to be taken into account, that when his life was frequently in danger, the zeal of the apostle continued without showing any symptoms of weakness .—V. g.]— εἰς ἀποστόλους Χριστοῦ , as the apostles of Christ ) They a not altogether deny Christ, but they did not preach Him truly, 2 Corinthians 11:23 .

2 Corinthians 11:13 . οἱ γὰρ τοιοῦτοι κ . τ . λ .: for such men (this explains the ground of his determination in 2 Corinthians 11:12 not to give opportunity for cavil) are false apostles ( cf. Revelation 2:2 . This speedy appearance of false teachers was one of the most remarkable features of the Apostolic age; cf. Galatians 2:4 , Php 1:15 ; Php 3:18 , Titus 1:10 , 2 Peter 2:1 , 1 John 4:1 ), crafty workers ( cf. Php 3:2 ), fashioning themselves into Apostles of Christ, i.e. , laying special claim to that great title ( cf. chap. 2 Corinthians 10:7 ). μετασχηματίζειν τι is to change the outward appearance ( σχῆμα ) of a thing, the thing itself in essence ( μορφή ) remaining unchanged (see reff.).

Verse 13. - For such are false apostles. This, with 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 and Philippians 3:2 , is one of St. Paul's most passionate outbursts of plain speaking. "Now at length" says Bengel, "he calls a spade a spade." They were "false apostles" ( Revelation 2:2 ), because a true apostle delivers the message of another, while these cared only for self ( Romans 16:18 ). Deceitful workers. Workmen who cheat their employers ( 2 Corinthians 2:17 ; 2 Corinthians 4:2 ). Transforming themselves. The verb is the same as in 1 Corinthians 4:6 and Philippians 3:21 , and does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. 2 Corinthians 11:13

13. For—reason why he is unwilling they should be thought like him [Bengel]. such—they and those like them. false apostles—those "overmuch apostles" (see on [2324]2Co 11:5) are no apostles at all. deceitful workers—pretending to be "workmen" for the Lord, and really seeking their own gain.

13. For such ] The link of connection is as follows. You cannot believe them in their boasting. They are false and deceitful in all their doings. They have not your interest at heart, but their own. Cf. ch. 2 Corinthians 2:17 . false apostles ] See Revelation 2:2 ; also note on 2 Corinthians 11:26 . deceitful workers ] St Paul is indirectly aiming at such persons in ch. 2 Corinthians 4:2 , as well as more directly in ch. 2 Corinthians 2:17 . Cf. Romans 16:17-18 ; Php 3:2 . The word workers is in the original equivalent to our word workmen or artisans . The reference is to workmen who shirk, or as it is called ‘scamp’ their work, instead of dealing fairly by their employer.

(13) For such are false apostles . . . —St. Paul’s estimate of the character of his rivals is now given in unsparing language as the reason why he desires to deprive them of any claim which may give them an adventitious superiority to him. In the term “false apostles” we have the explanation of the “apostles extraordinary” of 2Corinthians 11:5 . These “ crafty workers” were carrying on a system of imposture, trying to assume the character of being, in a higher sense than he was, “Apostles of Christ.” This again throws light both on the words “if any man trusts that he is Christ’s” of 2Corinthians 10:7 , and on the “I am of Christ” of 1Corinthians 1:12 .