(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
CORINTH: RICH GREEK CITY/STATE
(Acts 18:1 [KJV])
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
(Acts 18:8 [KJV])
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
(Acts 19:1,2 [KJV])
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He
said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
(2 Corinthians 1:1,2 [KJV])
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are
in all Achaia: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call
upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
(2 Corinthians 1:23 [KJV])
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
(2 Corinthians 6:11 [KJV])
O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
(2 Timothy 4:20 [KJV])
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Lots of good, fresh water
Lots of good, arable soil
Lots of good clay for ceramics, pottery, etc., hence "Corinthian Pottery"
Shops, fountains, carved stone temples to the Greek gods, porticos, metal workshops abounded
As a part of a major shipping lane, Corinth has four ports, on the Gulf of Corinth, between two seas
A temple to Apollo was there
Another temple was one to Aphrodite, an acropolis known as Acrocorinth, that supplied prostitutes for the seafaring men, which made it a rich city
Perusing the two letters Paul wrote to them, it is obvious that they were apostate and backslidden.
2 CORINTHIANS 11: PAUL'S AUTHORITY
(2 Corinthians 11:1 [KJV])
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
This is Paul preparing them for what is about to come, his boasting, for a reason
It is not to enlarger, inflate himself, but to let them know the authority and responsibility he, a true apostle with authority, has to protect them from false apostles, false teachers
While it is never good to appeal to authority for truth, his authority is not from himself, but from Christ Himself on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:15)
(2 Corinthians 11:2 [KJV])
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Paul had converted them to Christ, making them the bride
We, being the bride of the LORD Jesus Christ, are espoused to Him and Him alone upon getting saved
When we have done this and discipled people, those coming along to teach them false doctrines ought to anger us
It should bother us no matter who it is who brought them to Christ, discipled them
CHASTE, a.
Pure from all unlawful commerce of sexes. Applied to persons before marriage, it signifies pure from all sexual commerce, undefiled; applied to married persons, true to the marriage bed.
Free from obscenity. While they behold your chaste conversation. 1 Pet 3.
In language, pure; genuine; uncorrupt; free from barbarous words and phrases, and from quaint, affected, extravagant expressions.
(2 Corinthians 11:3 [KJV])
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
The serpent slithers into a congregation, speaking "Christianese", big swelling words, tons of head knowledge, to draw people away from the truth
This is possible because many today do no0t read the Word and are taken in because they are not Bereans, checking on whether that person deceiving them is speaking truth
In its simplicity, the Word of God was purposely written in simple, common-folk language, not in huge, flowing, "theological, seminarian" words, so as to be understood by all, not just the swelled headed professors, PhDs, etc.
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
(2 Corinthians 11:4 [KJV])
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
There is no reason, nor excuse, to bear with anyone else who brings anything else, but only those who speak only the truth of God's Word that you can easily check for veracity
Another Jesus, another spirit, another gospel. All go together. Wrong Jesus, wrong spirit, wrong gospel
(Galatians 1:6-9 [KJV])
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
(2 Corinthians 11:5 [KJV])
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
This is his apostolic authority, God given, God called, God supported
It is conceivable that Paul would never have even bothered to mention tis in any place, lest they force his hand, as they did here with their swelling words
(2 Corinthians 11:6 [KJV])
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
History records that Paul was a sharp talker, by nature, not mincing words, not a sweet talker, much like a New Yorker from Brooklyn, Bronx, or a New Jersey guy
However, being trained to be a Pharisee, he for certain was proficient or knowledgeable in great oratory skills before a large crowd and, for certain by now, as a Christian, traveling city to city, would have been even more so, with crowds in every city
He gives it straight when he speaks to anyone from kings, as a former Pharisee, to the peons with whom he now related, common people
This also would explain his "great plainness of speech" (2 Corinthians 3:12)
His knowledge of the Gospel of God was clearly shown to them (manifest) in his knowledge of the Old Testament, as a Pharisee, his familiarity of it, knowing the prophecies of the Messiah, etc.
(2 Corinthians 3:12 [KJV])
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
(2 Corinthians 11:7 [KJV])
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
Who is offended by the Gospel here? Unbelievers or believers in Corinth?
The same then as today, the same in Corinth as every place else today
He humbled himself preaching to them, and they got offended-BY THE GOSPEL probably thinking, "Who does this Paul guy think he is, anyways?"
The same today when we share Christ, "Oh, so you think this Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven? What about all of the other religions? Are they all wrong?"
Our answer? "John 14:6 says all other religions are wrong, not me."
(2 Corinthians 11:8 [KJV])
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
This was to silence the detractors, so not a one of them could say that he took their money
Why was this? Same today as then, "All he wants is money from us; he is doing this for the money"
Paul's response? "I took no money from you, but from Macednoia, so you can't say I was doing tis for the money"
(2 Corinthians 11:9 [KJV])
And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
Paul needed money when he was with them ("and wanted"), but still worked so as to not be blamed for asking for money
Paul was a tentmaker, working to make tents to sell to make money so that they did not have to collect for him
This was again to silence his detractors only
he further says that this will be his future policy with them
(Acts 18:1-4 [KJV])
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
(2 Corinthians 11:10-11 [KJV])
As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
The various parts of what is today Yugoslavia, Achaia, Macedonia, Dalmatia, Thracia, Thessalonica, etc. all gave
"They gave to the work of the ministry, and I will continue to tell you about their giving, so why not you guys? Fine, have it your way, I will see to it myself by being a tentmaker"
"Why did I tell you this, because I do not love you? No, God knows I do, even if you do not know it or acknowledge it"
(2 Corinthians 11:12 [KJV])
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
Basically, Paul is saying, "I will not change because they do not like the way I am"
"Occasion", waiting for the opportunity, the opportune time to attack, lying in wait, like a lion or leopard
These are the same people today, who show up at a meeting of Christians, waiting for the Q&A to attack, hanging on any word that they can find an occasion to defame the speaker
Common in Rome, Jerusalem then, just like in Mars Hill, common now in America
(2 Corinthians 11:13 [KJV])
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
Not called, not apostles, but making believe, transforming themselves, not God transforming them Who never called them
An apostle cannot be one and also be a deceitful work both; that is impossible
The entire beginning of the chapter in 1 Corinthians 9 is all about Paul being qualified of the LORD
(1 Corinthians 9:1 [KJV])
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
(2 Corinthians 11:14 [KJV])
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
The world think the enemy is in a red set of leotards with a beard and pitchfork. He appears as "Mary" or as "my dead father" or "my dead child" "a sixteenth century little girl who died"
(2 Corinthians 11:15 [KJV])
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
These ministers are the false teachers, false prophets opposing and falsely accusing Paul, teaching false doctrines
Their end is the lake of fire
(Revelation 19:20 [KJV])
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
(Revelation 20:10 [KJV])
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
(Revelation 20:14, 15 [KJV])
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
(2 Corinthians 11:16 [KJV])
I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
Paul is about to vindicate himself, although he should not have to. He does not want them to think of him as a fool, but that is near impossible to weak people
"If you think I am a fool, fine. Accept me as I am. Let me just tell you my qualifications"
People who normally, always do this are proud fools, coming under the guise of "Doctor________________" or "Pastor_________________"
(2 Corinthians 11:17 [KJV])
That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
"This is me speaking, in the flesh, since that is how you speak"
"This is me speaking, in the flesh, since that is how you want me to speak"
"This is me speaking, in the flesh, like a fool, like you all speak about me and your own selves"
"So let's just go there then, shall we? Let's just compare notes"
(2 Corinthians 11:18 [KJV])
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
"It's my turn; let me show you how foolish you sound to those of us who know better"
"Just give me a minute. This will not take long at all"
(2 Corinthians 11:19-20 [KJV])
For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
These fools possessed worldly wisdom and are about to get some back as an open show
Seeing as how they put up with the false teachers so much, so well, it ought to be easy for them to endure his boasting in truth
They made it necessary with their reproach of Paul
False teachers who fleece the flock bring make believe that they are freeing people's minds but actually bring people into bondage, take from them, lift and exalt themselves above the Word of God with their worldly knowledge
Since they were so willing to take all of this from false apostles, he wanted them to take a little from a real one
"With all of your wisdom, you let people lie to you, enslave you with these lies, their false authority, their yoke of bondage, to make merchandise of you
(2 Corinthians 11:21 [KJV])
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
They were boasting of their "qualifications", so Paul wanted some liberty to boast of his real ones
Thinking whatever they wanted of Paul, indiscretions aside, he wanted them to know he was indeed qualified
(2 Corinthians 11:22 [KJV])
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Here is the real glorying Paul will do, right here. IN HIS INFIRMITIES, not his authority and worldliness like them
(2 Corinthians 11:23-24 [KJV])
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
The marks of a true Christian in the persecution then, as now.......prison labor camps, beatings, constant threats of death, on and on we go
Did these false teachers and false prophets suffer through such things? Or were they accepted by the Jews and Romans?
Because Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles, he was even MORE hated than the rest, most likely. At least by his own countrymen, the Jews.
Forty stripes was the most allowed by law
There was no law on how many times, over a time period, one could get those forty stripes each time.
(2 Corinthians 11:25 [KJV])
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
A cat of nine tails is leather with pieces of sharp bones, metal. etc. Then beaten with rods that break bones
Floating in the open ocean, with sharks, other predators
(2 Corinthians 11:26 [KJV])
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Perils, perils, perils, perils, perils, every place he went, by every leader, Jew and Gentile (Roman) in every place, by sea and on land, by whosoever was not saved and hated Christ, Jew and Gentile, now he is falsely accused of boasting of his authority by those at Corinth!
(Acts 9:24-25 [KJV])
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
(2 Corinthians 11:27 [KJV])
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
To be an amazing and powerful minister of the Gospel, we nearly always must go through powerful trials to let God prove Himself strong on our behalf
This is how we can relate to the persecuted. This is how we can minister to others, and encourage and strengthen, empathize and sympathize with them
Prison..........hunger, thirst, naked, cold, for extended periods.
(2 Corinthians 11:28 [KJV])
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Outside pain, inside hurting, because he cares for the churches
In the words of Matthew Henry, "Sufferings for righteousness' sake will, the most of any thing, redound to our honour"
(2 Corinthians 11:29 [KJV])
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
The implied answer is, "NO ONE!" is weak without Paul not burning
(2 Corinthians 11:30 [KJV])
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
Us average people cannot even think like this, to glory in our infirmities, our problems, weaknesses, persecutions, our downfalls, our crumbling under pressure
Paul was a man, not God. He experienced a lot, probably a lot more than we ever will, yet he got through it all depending on Christ, and here he is not exaggerating
(2 Corinthians 11:31 [KJV])
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
How do we know he is not exaggerating? Because he is appealing to the greatest witness of them ALL, GOD, GOD the Son and GOD the Father
(2 Corinthians 11:32 [KJV])
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
This refers to the above verse in Acts 9:24-25
"Calling all horsemen! Calling all horsemen! Be on the lookout for a certain Saul of Tarsus, who also goes by the name Paul the Apostle. If apprehended, bring to the palace for trial sentencing"
(2 Corinthians 11:33 [KJV])
And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
Because, no matter what the enemy can throw at us, if God always has other plans for us, we are not finished, and God will give us a way out.
All of that in Paul's life, as should be in ours, is for His Glory, not ours. No matter what happens, befalls us
