Paul and the False Apostles
1
Oh, that you would bear with me in a little a folly - and indeed you do bear with me.
2
For I am b jealous for you with godly jealousy. For c I have betrothed you to one husband, d that I may present you e as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3
But I fear, lest somehow, as f the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds g may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4
For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a h different gospel which you have not accepted - you may well put up with it!
5
For I consider that i I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.
6
Even though j I am untrained in speech, yet I am not k in knowledge. But l we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.
7
Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you m free of charge?
8
I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.
9
And when I was present with you, and in need, n I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked o the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.
10
p As the truth of Christ is in me, q no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11
Why? r Because I do not love you? God knows!
12
But what I do, I will also continue to do, s that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.
13
For such t are false apostles, u deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
14
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into v an angel of light.
15
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, w whose end will be according to their works.
-
Cross References
Matthew 17:17
Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.
2 Corinthians 11:4
For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted - you may well put up with it!
2 Corinthians 11:16
I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.
2 Corinthians 11:19
For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise!
-
Cross References
Galatians 4:17
They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.
-
Cross References
Hosea 2:19
I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy.
Ephesians 5:26
That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.
-
Cross References
Colossians 1:28
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
-
Cross References
Leviticus 21:13
And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
-
Cross References
Genesis 3:4
Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will n...
Genesis 3:13
And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is th...
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and the desir...
1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this reason, when I could no longer endure ...
1 Timothy 2:14
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being ...
Revelation 12:9
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent ...
Revelation 12:15
So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth li...
-
Cross References
Ephesians 6:24
Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
-
Cross References
Galatians 1:6 - 8
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.
-
Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
2 Corinthians 12:11
I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.
Galatians 2:6
But from those who seemed to be something - whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man - for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.
-
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
-
Cross References
1 Corinthians 12:8
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit.
Ephesians 3:4
By which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).
-
Cross References
2 Corinthians 12:12
Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
-
Cross References
Acts 18:3
So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
1 Corinthians 9:18
What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.
2 Corinthians 12:13
For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
-
Cross References
Acts 20:33
I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
-
Cross References
Philippians 4:10
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
-
Cross References
Romans 1:9
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.
Romans 9:1
I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:23
Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
-
Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:15
But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.
-
Cross References
2 Corinthians 6:11
O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.
2 Corinthians 12:15
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
-
Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:12
If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.
-
Cross References
Acts 15:24
Since we have heard that some who went out from...
Romans 16:18
For those who are such do not serve our Lord Je...
Galatians 1:7
Which is not another; but there are some who tr...
Philippians 1:15
Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and st...
2 Peter 2:1
But there were also false prophets among the pe...
Revelation 2:2
I know your works, your labor, your patience, a...
-
Cross References
Philippians 3:2
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!
Titus 1:10
For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision.
-
Cross References
Galatians 1:8
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
-
Cross References
Philippians 3:19
Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame - who set their mind on earthly things.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.