SATAN'S MASQUERADE

Passage: 2 Corinthians 11:7-15

Key verse: 14

NIV

7 Was it a sin(A) for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God(B) to you free of charge?(C) 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them(D) so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed.(E) I have kept myself from being a burden to you(F) in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me,(G) nobody in the regions of Achaia(H) will stop this boasting(I) of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows(J) I do!(K)

12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles,(L) deceitful(M) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.(N) 14 And no wonder, for Satan(O) himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.(P)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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ESV

7 Or (A)did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because (B)I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was (C)in need, (D)I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia (E)supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain (F)from burdening you in any way. 10 (G)As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine (H)will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 And why? (I)Because I do not love you? (J)God knows I do!

12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, (K)in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are (L)false apostles, (M)deceitful workmen, (N)disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as (O)an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as (P)servants of righteousness. (Q)Their end will correspond to their deeds.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. God knows I love you (7-11)

When he pioneered the church in Corinth, Paul had supported himself by working as a tentmaker. His living expenses were supplemented by gifts from other churches. The believers in Corinth were not rich or educated. They were not wise or influential by human standards. Many came from low and despised occupations (1Co 1:26-28). But Paul gave them his heart and saw a mighty work of God among them.

2. Beware of false apostles (12-15)

After he left, some teachers (perhaps Jews who insisted on circumcision) came who undermined their faith in the simple gospel of Jesus. These teachers were eloquent and persuasive. But Paul warned that even Satan comes masquerading as an angel of light. So Jesus' people must not be deceived by things that sound good or logical. We must test everything against the simple truth of the Bible. People who lead God's children astray must answer to God.

Prayer: Lord, guard my heart with your word and Spirit so that I may not be led astray.

One Word: Don't listen to Satan