1 May you bear with me in some little foolishness! But surely you will.
2 I confess that I share the jealousy of God for you, for I have promised you in marriage to Christ, the only spouse, to present you to him as a pure virgin.
3 And this is my fear: the serpent that seduced Eve with cunning could also corrupt your minds and divert you from the christian sincerity.
4 Someone now comes and preaches another Jesus different from the one we preach, or you are offered a different spirit from the one you have received, with a different Gospel from the one you have accepted - and you agree!
5 I do not see how I am inferior to those super-apostles.
6 Does my speaking leave much to be desired? Perhaps, but not my knowledge, as I have abundantly shown to you in every way.
7 Perhaps my sin was that I humbled myself in order to uplift you, or that I gave you the Gospel free of charge.
8 I called upon the services of other churches and served you with the support I received from them.
9 When I was with you, although I was in need, I did not become a burden to anyone. The friends from Macedonia gave me what I needed. I have taken care not to be a burden to you in anything and I will continue to do so.
10 By the truth of Christ within me, I will let no one in the land of Achaia stop this boasting of mine.
11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows that I do!
12 Yet I do and I will continue to do so to silence any people anxious to appear as equal to me: this is my glory.
13 In reality, they are false apostles, deceivers disguised as apostles of Christ.
14 It is not surprising: if Satan disguises himself as an angel of light,
15 his servants can easily disguise themselves as ministers of salvation, until they receive what their deeds deserve.
16 I say again: Do not take me for a fool, but if you do take me as such, bear with me that I may sing my own praises a little.
17 I will not speak in the language of Christ, but in that of a fool, bringing my own merits to prominence.
18 As some people boast of human advantages, I will do the same.
19 Fortunately you bear rather well with fools, you who are so wise!
20 You tolerate being enslaved, and exploited, robbed, treated with contempt and slapped in the face.
21 What a shame that I acted so weakly with you! But if others are so bold, I shall also dare, although I may speak like a fool.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I begin to talk like a madman) I am better than they. Better than they with my numerous labors. Better than they with the time spent in prison. The beatings I received are beyond comparison. How many times have I found myself in danger of death!
24 Five times the Jews sentenced me to thirty-nine lashes.
25 Three times I was beaten with a rod, once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked, and once I spent a night and a day adrift on the high seas.
26 I have been continually in hazards of traveling because of rivers, because of bandits, because of my fellow Jews, or because of the pagans; in danger in the city, in the open country, at sea; in danger from false brothers.
27 I have worked and often labored without sleep, I have been hungry and thirsty and starving, cold and without shelter.
28 Besides these and other things, there was my daily concern for all the churches.
29 Whoever wavers, do I not waver with him? Whoever stumbles, am I not on hot bricks?
30 If it is necessary to boast, let me proclaim the occasions on which I was found weak.
31 The God and Father of Jesus the Lord - may he be blessed for ever! - knows that I speak the truth.
32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas placed the city under guard in order to arrest me,
33 and I had to be let down in a basket through a window in the wall. In that way I slipped through his hands.
Versículos relacionados com 2 Corinthians, 11:
Chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians is a Paul's self defense against the false apostles who were undermining their authority and influence in the Church in Corinth. Paul highlights his apostolic credentials and ministry, as well as his concern for the well-being of the Corinthians and their loyalty to Christ. The verses selected below address topics related to apostolic authority, false teachings, and the true nature of God's ministers.
Romans 16:17 - "I ask you, brothers, to be careful with those who cause divisions and put obstacles to the teaching you have learned. This verse talks about the importance of avoiding those who preach false teachings and causes divisions in the church, something Paul emphasizes in 2 Corinthians 11.
Galatians 1:8-9 - "But even though we or an angel of heaven preach a gospel different from the one we preach to you, who is cursed! , be cursed! " Paul warns of the severity of preaching a different gospel from what was taught by him and the other apostles.
1 Timothy 4:1 - "The Spirit clearly says that in recent times some will abandon faith and follow deceiving spirits and demons doctrines." This verse talks about the reality of false teachings that will arise within the church and how important it is to be alert not to be deceived.
1 Corinthians 9:12 - "But we never use this right. On the contrary, we endure everything to create any obstacles to the gospel of Christ." Paul talks about his personal self -denial not to create any obstacles to the gospel and highlights the importance of placing Christ's interests above personal interests.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 - "The servant of the Lord should not live fighting, but be kind to everyone, able to teach and patient. Instruct with meekness those who oppose themselves, in the hope that God will bring them to repentance and so , know the truth. " This verse highlights the need to be kind and patient in teaching those who oppose the truth and seek to lead people to repentance and knowledge of the truth rather than just to overcome them in an argument.
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