"For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles" (2 Cor. 11:5).
In this passage, Paul continues to defend himself against the charges of the false teachers in Corinth. Paul claimed, with authority, that he was in no way inferior to these “eminent apostles.” His reference the “apostles” here must not be confused with the true apostles (Peter, James, John, etc.) The statement is a mocking reference to those men in Corinth who tried to establish themselves as authoritative teachers and leaders among the people. They criticized Paul because he was not as adept at oration as they. “What Paul concedes is not the want of eloquence, of which his writings afford abundant evidence, but of the special training of a Grecian,” Hodge wrote. “He spoke Greek as a Jew. It was not improbable that some of his opponents in Corinth, although themselves of Hebrew origin, prided themselves on their skill in the use of the Greek language, and made the apostle’s deficiency in that respect a ground of disparagement.” Paul admitted his shortcomings, but one thing he did have that they were lacking was knowledge. He also had humility and love for the Corinthian people, evidenced by his willingness to burden other churches for support and to earn his own living rather than ask for any money from them.
As we read this passage, we cannot help but be struck by Paul’s forthrightness, by his integrity, by his unwillingness to fall into the traps of men concerning talent and ability, by his humility, and by his confidence in his knowledge of the Gospel and of all that Christ had revealed to him. This should serve as a lesson to us all concerning teachers and preachers. We should not be swept away by the abilities of men, by their eloquence, by their talent to tell stories and weave a tale, but by the knowledge they convey concerning Christ. Do they have true knowledge? Is that knowledge faithful to Scripture? Is it authoritative? Is the man himself humble and obviously dependent on Christ’s power, not his own? These are questions we should ask whenever we listen to any teacher or preacher. If all the man possesses is a polished veneer, do not allow yourself to be led astray by his impressive talents. Listen instead to men of God, who humbly serve according to the truth, and who put Christ first even in the face of ridicule and criticism.
If you are a teacher or preacher, do you bring glory to yourself rather than God? Consider the sinfulness of this approach to preaching. If you’re not a preacher, consider what you look for in a man of God. If you had lived in Paul’s day would you have honored him or the “talented” false teachers?
