False Apostles
Category: Failure of truth
Could endure: Preach Christ sincerely.
“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 1:8.
Chose wrongly: Masqueraded as apostles of Christ.
“Such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:13)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 7:15; Revelation 2:2.
Endured (negatively): Aligned with Satan’s schemes.
“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Cross-Refs: John 8:44; 2 Peter 2:1–3.
Why (wrong motive): Greed, desire for influence.
“In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you.” (2 Corinthians 11:20)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 3:19; Jude 12.
Result: Exposed and condemned.
“Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (2 Corinthians 11:15)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 6:7; Revelation 21:8.
Worldly Sorrow
Category: Failure of repentance
Could endure: Show godly sorrow that leads to repentance.
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.” (2 Corinthians 7:10a)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 51:17; Acts 3:19.
Chose wrongly: Worldly grief that leads to death.
“…but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10b)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 27:3–5 (Judas); Hebrews 12:17.
Endured (negatively): No true change, only despair.
“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it… because your sorrow led you to repentance.” (2 Corinthians 7:8–9, contrast)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 29:1; James 1:15.
Why (wrong motive): Concern for self, not God.
“Worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 8:6; Revelation 9:20–21.
Result: Missed salvation.
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 6:4; Hebrews 3:12.
Boasting in Appearances
Category: Failure of humility
Could endure: Boast only in the Lord.
“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 10:17)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 9:23–24; 1 Corinthians 1:31.
Chose wrongly: Valued outward show over inward reality.
“You are judging by appearances.” (2 Corinthians 10:7)
Cross-Refs: John 7:24; James 2:1–4.
Endured (negatively): Misled by false standards.
“Some say, ‘His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive.’” (2 Corinthians 10:10)
Cross-Refs: 1 Samuel 16:7; Galatians 6:12.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, people-pleasing.
“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.” (2 Corinthians 10:12)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 25:27; Luke 18:11.
Result: Foolishness and loss of reward.
“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (2 Corinthians 10:18)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 6:2; Romans 2:29.
Rejection of Paul’s Authority
Category: Failure of submission
Could endure: Accept Paul as Christ’s servant.
“If I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 9:2, applied here)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
Chose wrongly: Questioned his authority, sought “super-apostles.”
“I do not think I am in the least inferior to those ‘super-apostles.’” (2 Corinthians 11:5)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 4:1; Galatians 4:16.
Endured (negatively): Risked deception and falling away.
“I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:10.
Why (wrong motive): Desire for eloquence, signs, and human approval.
“For such people are false apostles.” (2 Corinthians 11:13)
Cross-Refs: Acts 20:30; 2 Timothy 4:3–4.
Result: Corrected and warned by Paul.
“This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh.” (2 Corinthians 13:10)
Cross-Refs: Titus 1:13; Revelation 2:16.