2nd Corinthians 11:16-30 | Acting a Fool
We are there in 2nd Corinthians 11. If you remember, in the first half of 2nd Corinthians that we looked at last week, Paul talked about how he would be acting foolish. Paul makes it clear with many disclaimers. For example, in verse 1 he says “bear with me”. This is a phrase where he is asking them to be patient with him. He says “a little in my folly”. Folly means foolishness. Paul realizes that what he is going to say is foolish. He is going to be saying something silly. He says “again bear with me” indicating to be patient with him.
I want you to notice that he goes out of his way to make this disclaimer. He wants to make sure that they know that what he is about to say is foolish and he understands it is foolish. If you notice in verse 16 he says “6 I say again, let no man think me a fool;”. He doesn’t want people to look at him as a fool as he will be saying some things that are foolish. He says “if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.”. Notice verse 17 “17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly,…”. Notice in verse 19 he says “19 For ye suffer fools gladly,..”. In verse 21 he says “…I speak foolishly…”. Notice verse 23 “…(I speak as a fool)…”. Paul is what I call over communicating to make sure nobody misses the fact that he realizes he is saying something foolish or acting in a foolish way. It is folly.
If you remember last week, we spent the first 15 verses building up to why Paul needs to speak this way or do these things. If we want to put it into modern vernacular, he is going to act a fool. He is going to get in their face and play the fool. That phrase “act a fool” or “play the fool”, it actually has a definition. It’s defined as to behave in a silly or foolish way. That’s what Paul is going to do. He tells them to bear with him in his folly.
When it comes to Paul acting a fool, you might ask what is he going to do? There are false prophets that have been coming in to the Church of Corinth and they have been exalting themselves at the expense of the Apostle Paul. Oftentimes this is what people do when they exalt themselves. A lot of times the problem is that they are exalting themselves at the expense of someone else. When you have to pull someone down to exalt yourself, that is a problem. That is what they are doing. These men are coming in and exalting themselves but they are also criticizing Paul and trying to bring him down.
2nd Corinthians 11:18 “18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.”. This is what these false prophets are doing. The word “glory” means to brag or show off. He is saying that many are bragging or showing off. They are doing at the expense of the Apostle Paul in order to do it. It is human nature for people to gossip and to criticize and for people to say rude and critical things about other people behind their back. However, please understand that when you are speaking negatively about someone behind their back, the only reason you are doing that is because you are insecure. You are insecure by their success or whatever it is that they are accomplishing. This is what these people are doing to Paul.
Look at 2nd Corinthians 11:20. “20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.”. The word “suffer” means allow. He is stating that they are allowing false prophets to bring them into bondage or teach a works salvation similar to in the book of Galatians. The word “devour” means to use to consume. When it says “take of you”, that is a reference to stealing money or resources. They are exalting themselves at the expense of Paul. He is saying that they are allowing these people to come in and hurt them and steal and devour from them. He is saying that if they are allowing all of that then they should allow Paul to act a little foolish also. The Apostle Paul is putting these men in their place. In order to do that, he has to “act a fool”. He has to get down to their foolish level.
Notice in verse 16 “16 I say again, let no man think me a fool;…”. Paul realizes that he is not promoting what he is about to do but it is necessary. He is saying that he will speak as foolish people speak. Paul is stating that he will act and talk like the foolish people that they are listening to. He is going to boast a little which is not something he normally would do. Verse 17 “17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.”. Paul is stating that he will boast or brag a little bit. Paul wants them to realize that what he is doing is a foolish thing to do in a normal situation. 2nd Corinthians 10:18 “18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.”.
I want you to understand the context. Paul is going to give us a list of things that he is bragging about or boasting about. He is doing this because of the fact that this Church he is leading has people that are exalting themselves and tearing themselves down as a result. Paul is aware that by doing so, this is a foolish thing. Bragging is not something that we should do. It’s not wise to compare yourself.
Notice again verse 21 “21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.”. I just want you to notice that Paul begins to compare himself. He is saying that if someone is bold, he is also bold. He is comparing himself. Notice verse 22 “22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.”.
He begins to compare himself to them and he is going to begin to brag on himself for a little bit. However, Paul understands that this is foolishness. Paul is the one who told us in chapter 10 not to compare ourselves among ourselves. 2nd Corinthians 10:12 “12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”. Paul is saying that he will go ahead and compare himself among them but he realizes it is foolish. Basically Paul is saying that if you want to have a bragging much then let’s go ahead and compare.
Let me just say a few things. When we end the chapter tonight, I will give you some thoughts about boasting and bragging. However, let me just say this. The Bible is clear that bragging and boasting is not something that Christians should do. Comparing ourselves is not something we should do. He is doing this here and it is a very unique thing. He asks them to bear with him in his folly. He uses that word “fool” and “foolish” over and over again. With that said, let me say this. What we can take away is that what Paul is bragging about, we should try to be that. Now we shouldn’t brag like Paul normally doesn’t do. However, the things that he is bragging about are all true. They should serve as an example for us to motivate us to do more and accomplish more. I for one am glad that 2nd Corinthians 11 is in the Bible. The Holy Spirit put it in there for a reason. When Paul brags about himself a little bit, we get a glimpse into why the Apostle Paul was such a great man.
People get this idea that if you have a great marriage, it’s just because you and your wife must just not like to fight much. If you have kids that turn out right for the Lord then your kids must just naturally be mellow and well behaved. Listen to me. Whenever you see someone’s success, realize that a lot of work went into that. If people’s kids are well behaved then they have parents that discipline and spend time with their kids. If someone has a good marriage then they work at it. However, people that are failing in life often just want to excuse and criticize those that are succeeding. If someone is succeeding then they are working at it. Paul had a very successful ministry because he put in a lot of work to it. Paul says that if you want to compare then let’s compare.
There are really 2 primary things that Paul is boasting about that he normally would not boast himself about. The first one is that Paul foolishly boasts himself that he has suffered more than others. Paul says that if you want to compare yourself to me then let’s do it. 2nd Corinthians 11:23 “23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool)…”. Paul is reminding that a normal, mature Christian will not normally speak this way. However, there are these people trying to say they are ministry or Apostles of Christ.
Paul says “23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.”. Paul says that he is more of a minister of Christ than them. Paul explains that he labored more than them and went through more suffering than them. He will go through all of the things that he has suffered for the cause of Christ. Paul says he has been given stripes or punishments more than anyone else. He went to prison more than anyone else.
Paul is stating that he put in the time to go soulwinning, pray for the people, talk to people about converts, etc….Then people show up and say that Paul is nothing special. Isn’t that the same thing that Korah did? “All of us can be like Moses.”. Yes all of God’s people can be like Moses or Paul but most people are not like them. Paul is stating that he would not normally compare notes or lift himself up but if you want to compare then let’s see who wins. Paul says he has been to prison more than them for the cause of Christ. Often he came close to death.
Verse 24 “24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;”. Think about this resume. He was beaten with rods. He was stoned and shipwrecked. He traveled the world preaching the gospel, knocking doors and as a result this is what happened. Now Paul normally would not compare notes. However, let me tell you something. I don’t think you and I want to compare notes to Paul. I don’t think we want to have to explain to Paul why we couldn’t show up for soulwinning. “It was a little hot during the summer”. Paul would tell you how hot hell is. “It’s a lot of work. Sometimes they slam the door in my face.”. Paul could say, I was beaten with rods for the cause of Christ. People stoned me with the intent of killing me. This is not something that we have experienced. Some people, including myself, believe that Paul actually. However, you are too busy for soulwinning on Saturdays.
Paul says that if you want to compare notes then let us compare. 2nd Corinthians 11:26 “26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;”. Paul has dealt with dangerous situations everywhere he went and in a variety of different types of situations. Paul goes to foreign countries to preach the gospel and he is persecuted by both the heathen and those that are Jewish. 2nd Corinthians 11:27 “27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”.
Honestly, though it was foolish for Paul to compare, I am thankful that he did. When I read that, I realize that I have nothing to complain about. I have no reason why I can’t show up to Church all 3 services, go soulwinning, pray and read my Bible. In the United States of America, which is a wicked nation, we still have the freest nation in this world. Paul is showing them and explaining to them what he did to start the Church.
2nd Corinthians 11:31 “31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.”. Paul is stating that he is not lying or exaggerating. In fact, right when Paul started he had persecution. 2nd Corinthians 11:32 “32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.”. This happened right after he got converted and started living holy.
Paul is telling them that if they want to compare notes and see who can brag most, Paul says let’s do it. Normally he wouldn’t bring these things up. Paul explains the things that he had to go through in order to be a soulwinning and disciple. The response that we should have to this is that we have no excuse for not serving God with our whole heart. Paul would laugh at our excuses for not serving God. Paul foolishly boasts about the fact that he suffered more than others. He talks about all of his heartache and trials.
Not only does Paul foolishly brag about suffering more than others but he also foolishly brags about the fact that he has worked more than others. 2nd Corinthians 11:23 “23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant,…”. Paul says he speaks as a fool because he would not normally do this. However, he points out that he has laboured more.
Let me say this at the expense of sounding arrogant or boastful. Not all Pastors are created equal. Not all Churches are created equal. People have the idea sometimes that you could get the exact same things at any Church. I’m not trying to sound arrogant but the things you get at Verity Baptist Church are not things that you will just get anywhere. Why would Paul say this? These people want to compare and Paul is stating that flat out he outworked them. He says in labours more abundant.
Then he gives this long list of the persecutions that he endured. After the end of the whole list, in verse 28 he says “28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”. While he was dealing with all of these trials and persecutions, he talks about the daily care of all the Churches which was a burden upon him. What does that mean? He is saying that he went through all of that and still ministered unto them. He went through all of that and still wrote them happy birthday cards, still met with them for counseling, still visited them in the hospital, still performed weddings and funerals. Paul went through all of that persecution but that didn’t relieve the need to still do ministry. Paul still took care of the business of ministering to the people. How did he do that? He labored more abundantly than them all. Paul would not normally brag like this. However, if they want to compare notes with Paul of achievements then Paul would win.
By the way, Paul isn’t complaining. He isn’t mad that he has to do that. He realizes God has called him into the ministry and he is thankful for being considered worthy for it. Normally he wouldn’t bring this up. If they want to criticize him or fire him then he says let’s compare. If they are ministers then I am more. Paul has suffered more and worked more and that’s why he accomplished more.
1st Corinthians 15:10 “10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”. Paul worked harder and longer. He got up earlier and stayed up later and did more. He accomplished more. He wasn’t afraid to work hard.
I won’t stand up here and say I have labored more abundantly than them all. I won’t say I have outworked every Pastor but I have worked as much as any Pastor. I can say that my wife has worked harder than any Pastor’s wife that I have met. I believe our staff works hard. They labor abundantly. You should not take that for granted. Paul is being criticized here. Everything he has done to help is being dismissed by arrogant people that are boasting. Paul would not normally bring this up but he brings it up because they need to hear it.
One thing we learn here is the importance of work. Paul was a tenacious person. He just showed up and did what needed to be done. Paul in the book of Acts is stoned. I believe he actually dies and goes to heaven and we will see that in next chapter. He wakes up and just gets back to work. The Bible says that in all labor there is profit and reward. We should just learn to be hard workers. We should just learn to be people of tenacity. Did Paul have difficulties? Absolutely. We also have had difficulties. We have to work through those. This is not just in ministry but at your jobs also. As a stay at home mom you should be a hard worker. We should learn to be people of hard work and character.
In Genesis 31 we see this passage of Jacob that highlights the type of person he was. Jacob had a very wealthy grandfather by the name of Abraham. Jacob is also a very good businessman. Jacob had a very successful father named Isaac. Isaac not only had a good inheritance but he worked hard and was blessed by God for his hard work in his business. The Philistines envied him. You might think that Jacob was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. However, because of Jacob’s sin of deceiving his father, Jacob leaves home broke. He leaves home with nothing. He had a successful family that he came from but he leaves with nothing when he flees from Esau. Jacob tells God that he has nothing but he will give 10% to God of whatever God gives him. When Jacob comes back after 20 years spent with Laban, God reminds him of his vow to tithe. Why did God do that? Because Jacob left as a very poor, broke man. However, he came back as a very wealthy man. What was the secret to his success? It’s the secret to all success.
The context is Laban coming after Jacob and lying by saying that Laban has given Jacob so much. Genesis 31:38 “38 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.”. Listen to me men. If you want to be successful worker, become like this. Jacob is saying that he could have stolen from Laban and he wouldn’t have known it. Genesis 31:39 “39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.”. Jacob took the blame and the loss for an animal that was killed. Genesis 31:40 “40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. 41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.”.
What was Jacob’s secret to success? The man knew how to work. He got up early and stayed up late and didn’t complain or make excuses. God blessed him and he is going to pay his 10%. The problem with the average man in 2022 is he just doesn’t know how to work. Work is a lost art in our society today. Jacob went into the secular world and worked hard. Paul went into the ministry and worked hard. Whenever you see someone succeeding at something, it is because they worked. Don’t criticize someone who has a successful business, has been successful raising kids, has a good marriage. They work at it.
Paul reluctantly says that he will act a fool. It’s not wise to compare or brag but if you want to compare and brag then let’s go ahead and do it. Paul has suffered more than them and worked harder than them. Paul understands that we should not compare and brag. Realize that any success you have, you should look at that and realize it is by God’s grace.
1st Corinthians 15:10 “10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”. The grace bestowed upon Paul was not wasted. Paul understands that it is to God’s glory as he says it is by his grace.
I love 1st Corinthians 4:7. There are these 3 questions that I like to call clarifying questions. Paul gives us these 3 clarifying questions in regards to boasting and bragging. He says “7 For who maketh thee to differ from another?…”. If you are different by being smarter, more athletic, more successful, did you do that? “…what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”. Whatever we have that makes us different or special, who makes us like that? It’s not us. The question is “What do you have that God didn’t give you?”. Why would we glory in things we have as if we didn’t receive it from God? That is a great question. If everything we have whether it be possessions or innately who we are or where we are raised, why would we glory as if it wasn’t given to us. See, the truth is that we aren’t supposed to boast and brag. Nobody likes a braggard.
James 4:16 “16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”. Be careful about being a braggard. Proverbs 27:2 “2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”. Other people may compliment or praise you or talk about your successes and accomplishments and the things you have done. That is great. However, don’t praise yourself. If no one praises you then that should tell you something. Accomplish something and people will praise you. We shouldn’t be braggards.
Paul finishes with his foolish boasting and bragging. Then he tells us 1 thing that we should boast about. Because the things about suffering more and working harder are things that we shouldn’t normally boast about. However, there is 1 thing mentioned in 2nd Corinthians 11 that we should boast about. 2nd Corinthians 11:29 “29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?:”. What he is saying that in the same way that he is strong like these other men, he is also weak like they are as well.
2nd Corinthians 11:30 “30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.”. If Paul has to boast and brag then he will boast about this. Next week we will talk more about it but let me give you a brief overview. He talks about that when he got this infirmity, he didn’t want it. In fact he asked God 3 times to have it removed but God refused. However, Paul got to the place where he was able to glory in his infirmities. He glories in his infirmities because that forces him to be dependent on God. Paul is saying that there are things we shouldn’t brag about but if there is 1 thing to brag about then it’s our weakness that makes us rely on God.
I believe we all need to make a vision for our lives. We all need to make it a goal to be as successful as possible in life. Why? Jeremiah 9:23 “23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me,…”. If you are going to boast in something then boast in the Lord. Don’t focus on your money or success or beauty. It ought to be about the fact that you know God. If we are going to glory in anything then we ought to glory that we understand and know the Lord.
Go to 2nd Corinthians 11:30 and we will finish up. “30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.”. This sets us up for the next chapter as he will talk about his infirmities and ministry and how these things are all connected.
Let’s pray.