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Book of 2 Corinthians - Chapter 11 - Verse 13

11:13
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

Meaning

Within the context of this verse, the Apostle Paul is warning the Corinthians about the presence of false apostles who were trying to deceive them. These deceitful workers were pretending to be true apostles of Christ, but in reality, they were spreading false teachings and leading the believers astray. By transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ, they were able to gain the trust of the Corinthians and manipulate them for their own gain. This verse serves as a reminder to believers to be vigilant and discerning when it comes to those who claim to be representing Christ. It emphasizes the importance of testing the spirits and holding fast to the true teachings of the Gospel. Through this warning, Paul is highlighting the need for spiritual discernment and the dangers of following those who are not genuine messengers of Christ.

Theological Overview

In this verse, the apostle Paul warns the Corinthians about false apostles who disguise themselves as ministers of Christ. The word "false apostles" refers to those who claim to be messengers of the Gospel but preach deceitfully. They do not have the true calling or authority to represent Christ. The term "deceitful workers" emphasizes the deceptive nature of these individuals, who seek to deceive others for their own gain. By portraying themselves as apostles of Christ, they attempt to mislead and draw people away from the genuine teachings of the Gospel. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the importance of discerning true ministers of God from those who are impostors. It serves as a reminder to believers to be vigilant and test the spirits to ensure they are following authentic representatives of Christ.

American Standard Version

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.
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