So You’re a Priest: Jealousy Rears Its Beautiful Head

This is part 25 of a sermon series through 2 Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Commentary

v1 put up with. To endure, or to suffer through. 2 Corinthians is the only NT book to use this word more than once, and all 4 instances are in this chapter: v1, v4, v19, v20. The only record of Jesus using the word is when he asks the disciples, "How long shall I put up with you?" (Mark 9:19).

foolishness. Of all his letters, Paul only uses the word 3 times—all in this chapter: v1, v17, v21.

v2-3 virgin ... Eve. Just as Eve was Adam’s bride, the church is the bride of Christ: Matt. 25:1-13; John 3:22-30; Rev 19:6-9; 21:1-10; 22:17.

v9 need. The word group is used repeatedly in this letter (8:14; 9:12; 11:5,9; 12:11). This passage should be read in the context of chapters 8-9. In those chapters, Paul speaks of taking a collection from the Corinthians to help other churches in need. Here he reminds them that he eschewed any help from them while he was with them; rather, he was supported by another church.

v10,12 boast. We saw this word last week. The word group appears in the NT 52 times, of which 26 are in this letter, including v10, v12.

v12-15 Read these verses in the light of v2-3.

Application

Have you ever had a friend who was cheating on their spouse, or their fiancé, or even their "significant other"? What did you do? Did you stay of out it, or did you try to give your friend advice? Did you counsel them to be faithful, of did you tell them to do what would make them happiest? How did it turn out?

Paul’s passion, his jealousy (v2—perhaps better translated as "zeal") is something like this. In v2-3, Paul compares the church in Corinth to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Just as Eve was lured by the serpent to try something better than what God had for her, so the Corinthian church is being lured by those Paul calls the super-apostles (v5) to try a different gospel. By their boasting (defined, as we read last week, as the thing in which they was placing their confidence) they show that they are trusting in themselves and not in Jesus.

Paul’s jealousy is not pettiness at being scorned by his converts. Rather, as the church is the bride of Christ, his passion is to keep her safe and pure for her bridegroom.

Points to Ponder

Compare the Paul’s false apostles (v13-15) with John the Baptist (John 3:22-30). How are they different?