2 Corinthians 11:1-20

Christian Standard Bible

Paul and the False Apostles

11 I wish you would put up with a little foolishness^(A) from me. Yes, do put up with me!^{[a] 2} For I am jealous^(B) for you with a godly jealousy,^(C) because I have promised you in marriage to one husband—to present a pure^(D) virgin to Christ. ³ But I fear that, as the serpent^(E) deceived^(F) Eve^(G) by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a sincere and pure^[b] devotion to Christ.^{(H) 4} For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus,^(I) whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit,^(J) which you had not received, or a different gospel,^(K) which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!

⁵ Now I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”^{(L) 6} Even if I am untrained in public speaking,^(M) I am certainly not untrained in knowledge.^(N) Indeed, we have in every way made that clear to you in everything. ⁷ Or did I commit a sin by humbling^(O) myself so that you might be exalted,^(P) because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?^{(Q) 8} I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you. ⁹ When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, since the brothers who came from Macedonia^(R) supplied my needs.^(S) I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way. ¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped^[c] in the regions of Achaia.^{(T) 11} Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do!

¹² But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny^[d] an opportunity to those who want to be regarded as our equals in what they boast about. ¹³ For such people are false apostles,^(U) deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.^(V)

Paul’s Sufferings for Christ

¹⁶ I repeat: Let no one consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool so that I can also boast a little. ¹⁷ What I am saying in this matter^[e] of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but as it were, foolishly. ¹⁸ Since many boast according to the flesh, I will also boast. ¹⁹ For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools!^{(W) 20} In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone exploits^(X) you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone is arrogant toward you, if someone slaps^(Y) you in the face.