2 Corinthians 11: Answering the Critics

Verse 1 of chapter 10 introduces a dramatic shift in tone. The first nine chapters mainly show Paul's relief at seeing encouraging signs in Corinth. But these last four chapters make clear that hostility was still raging. In fact, some have guessed that this section was taken from the painful letter Paul referred to earlier (2:4). Here at the end of 2 Corinthians, Paul boldly confronts his critics.

Who were his antagonists? A picture of them emerges if you compile all the accusations Paul answers throughout the letter. Basically, they were carping troublemakers. In their eyes, Paul could do nothing right.

Paul's enemies in Corinth had blasted him for not visiting them as promised; yet when he did visit they gossiped, "In person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing" (10:10). They had criticized him for not taking a salary and then insinuated that he was misusing funds (8:20; 11:7-9). To these "super-apostles" (11:5), Paul somehow appeared simultaneously unimpressive and yet crafty; overly strict and yet worldly. Some even hinted that he was out of his mind (5:13).

You can almost sense Paul declaring "I've had it!" and then rolling up his sleeves to refute the charges. He insists that the future of the Corinthian church, not just his own reputation, is at stake. What does he feel? Something like the burning jealousy of a father who watches his daughter being seduced away from her true love (11:2-3).

These four remarkable chapters show Paul's passionate nature. Frustrated by having to defend himself, he almost stammers in print. He is determined to convince the Corinthians that he is motivated by a desire to serve God, not by any schemes for profit or power. Along the way, he lists an amazing catalog of his physical sufferings and reveals intimate details of his spiritual life, including one incident still shrouded in mystery (12: 1-6).

Judge for yourself, Paul seems to say, to the Corinthians and to all of us. Look at my life and decide: Whose fool am I?

Reflection

Being wrongly accused of something might be one of the most hurtful things in life to endure. Just as Paul's enemies questioned his sincerity for the church and essentially launched a character assassination against him, we too may come to a point in life where we have to "explain" ourselves to avoid this type of alienation. It's how we handle it, though, that may be the more important aspect. Again, an awful lot can be learned by Paul, in terms of temperament, restraint, and faith in Christ.