Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians 11:1-3, Paul and the False Apostles

1 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Paul wants them to indulge in “foolishness” while he compares his ministry to the false apostles because he longs for them to be committed to Jesus. Paul is playing the role of the best man in presenting the spotless bride to her husband. The Corinthians are already betrothed to Christ but not yet married to him. He is concerned with the corruption of the minds of his converts. As the serpent led Eve astray, the false apostles could lead their commitment to Jesus astray.

O God our Father, help us to a deeper trust in the life everlasting. May we feel that this love which is now, ever shall be; this robe of the flesh is thy gift to thy child, and, when it is worn out, thou wilt clothe him again; this work of life is the work thou hast given us to do, and when it is done, thou wilt give us more; this love, that makes all our life so glad, flows from thee, for thou art love, and we shall love forever. Help us to feel how, day by day, we see some dim shadow of the eternal day that will break upon us at the last. May the gospel of thy Son, the whisper of thy Spirit, unite to make our faith in the life to come, strong and clear; then shall we be glad when thou shalt call us, and enter into thy glory in Jesus Christ.

Robert Collyer, 1823-1913