The Apostle Paul wrote 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Some believe that Paul wrote Hebrews too, which would make it 14 books. Each of these books is actually a letter Paul wrote. Either to a church, as in 1 Corinthians 1 & 2, or to an individual, as in 1 & 2 Timothy. A common theme in Paul’s letters was false teachers and teaching. Often Paul’s teaching also reflected his role as an Apostle and a true teacher of the Gospel. We see evidence of this here in 2 Corinthians.

I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”

2 Corinthians 11:5 (NIV)

A logical question we might ask is, who were these super-apostles? 

We don’t know who these super-apostles were, but we can remove certain people from the list of possibilities. 

James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

Galatians 2:9 (NIV)

We can see here from Paul’s letter to the Galatians that he held James, Peter, and John in high regard. Therefore, we can remove them from the list of possibly super-apostles. In fact, we can remove all of the men who were actually apostles because Paul’s use of the term is done sarcastically. These super-apostles were people who thought themselves great teachers of the Gospel and had no problem taking advantage of the Corinthians. 

For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

2 Corinthians 11:4 (NIV)

We see from this verse that these super-apostles were false teachers. If we missed the connection from this verse, Paul picks it up again here.

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:13 (NIV)

Paul goes on to compare them to Satan:

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (NIV)

There are not short of false teachers around today, and we have to keep our guard up regarding the things we read and what we believe, which is why it’s important to read the Bible for ourselves. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be free from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away. 

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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