13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
13 They're a sorry bunch - pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers - posing as Christ's agents but sham to the core.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.
3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
3 God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message.
3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
3 So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery.
(Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)
The apostle had no wordly design in his preaching. Suffering in a good cause should sharpen holy resolution. The gospel of Christ at first met with much opposition; and it was preached with contention, with striving in preaching, and against opposition. And as the matter of the apostle's exhortation was true and pure, the manner of his speaking was without guile. The gospel of Christ is designed for mortifying corrupt affections, and that men may be brought under the power of faith. This is the great motive to sincerity, to consider that God not only sees all we do, but knows our thoughts afar off, and searches the heart. And it is from this God who trieth our hearts, that we must receive our reward. The evidences of the apostle's sincerity were, that he avoided flattery and covetousness. He avoided ambition and vain-glory.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:13
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:5-15
(Read 2 Corinthians 11:5-15)
It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially when we consider the great power which Satan, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, has upon the minds of many. And as there are temptations to evil conduct, so there is equal danger on the other side. It serves Satan's purposes as well, to set up good works against the atonement of Christ, and salvation by faith and grace. But the end will discover those who are deceitful workers; their work will end in ruin. Satan will allow his ministers to preach either the law or the gospel separately; but the law as established by faith in Christ's righteousness and atonement, and the partaking of his Spirit, is the test of every false system.