2 Coríntios 11
John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 11
MacArthur- If Paul did not defend himself, they would be cut off from him as the source of the divine truth and at the mercy of the false teachers. His defense was not for his sake but for theirs, as he explained in 2Co 12:19: “All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.” So as distasteful as it was to him, Paul had to defend his integrity—not for pride, self-exaltation, or his ego, but because the gospel was at stake. Beginning in chapter 11, Paul confronted the false apostles. Reluctantly, he compared himself to them so the Corinthians could distinguish a true messenger of God from false ones. As he began to confront the false apostles, Paul revealed that his motive for doing so was to call the Corinthians back to loyalty. (2 Corinthians) Tasker offers this explanation for Paul's boasting after what he wrote in 2Co 10:17 - "Paul is very conscious that it is no business of an apostle, or indeed of any Christian, to praise himself. Such self-commendation is only justified, in the present instance, because his affection for his converts is so great, that he will go to almost any length to prevent them from becoming dupes of unscrupulous men, and to keep them loyal to Christ" P E
2 Coríntios 11
MacArthur writes that Paul "was especially concerned that the Corinthians offer God the loyal, loving obedience in which He rejoices and of which He is worthy (cf. Deut. 6:5; 10:12; 11:1, 13, 22; 19:9; 30:16; Josh. 22:5; 23:11; Ps. 31:23; Matt. 22:37)." (2 Corinthians) I am jealous (zeloo) for you with a godly jealousy (zelos - "with a jealousy of God"); Paul explains his jealousy is godly not human (as if someone were stealing his own personal church plant and taking credit for it). The jealousy Paul describes is the jealousy of God Himself Whose very Name is Jealous (Ex 34:14+). Paul is not self-focused but Savior-focused. It is not about him, but about Him. Paul's jealousy is the jealousy that God Himself would display, and thus it is a holy jealousy. Paul then goes on to explain his holy jealousy. His fear was that like a man trying to steal another man's wife, the smooth talking false teachers would begin to seduce the Corinthians to leave their true Husband and commit spiritual adultery. For I betrothed (harmozo - fit together) you to one husband - NLT = " I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself." (See God's Attribute - Jealousy) Their betrothal was of course their day of conversion through Paul's ministry among them. Paul is not the husband of the Corinthian church, for she has only one husband, Christ Jesus. Paul's highest desire and goal is that they remain faithful to their husband. He may have in the back of his mind the tragic tail of Israel, the bride of Jehovah, in the Old Testament, who for the most part did not remain faithful to her Husband and Maker (Isa 54:5, Jer 31:32+). Spiritual adultery is an ever present danger (for the Corinthians and for all of us!) and temptation for the Bride of Christ, just as it was for Israel. Betrothed is in the first aorist middle indicative (middle = reflexive ~ "I myself"). In other words Paul is acting like a Jewish father (see 1Co 4:15, 1Co 3:6,10 1Co 9:1,2 Acts 18:4-11) who is giving his daughter, the Corinthian believers, to the bridegroom, Christ.
2 Coríntios 11
MacArthur - Lack of discernment is a major problem for the church (cf. Eph. 4:14+), because the spiritual battle is an ideological one (see 2Co 10:3-5+). The church's willingness to tolerate error in the name of unity, coupled with a lack of biblical and doctrinal knowledge, has crippled its ability to discern. As a result, it is too often easy prey for the ravenous, savage wolves of whom both Jesus and Paul warned (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:29), who wound it and sap its power and testimony. The essence of the Christian life is simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. To the Philippians Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21; cf. Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:4). To not love Him supremely as Savior and Lord is an act of disloyalty. The danger false teachers pose is that they shift the focus off Jesus Christ and onto rituals, ceremonies, good works, miracles, emotional experiences, psychology, entertainment, political and social causes, and anything else that will distract people.Loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ is nonnegotiable in the Christian life—so much so that Scripture declares, “If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed” (1 Cor. 16:22). (2 Corinthians) Henry