2 Corinthians 11: Paul's Hardships

Paul asks the Corinthians to bear with a little foolishness as he boasts. He is jealous for them with a godly jealousy, because he wants to present them to Christ with sincere, pure devotion. He fears that, as the serpent deceived Eve, their minds may be led astray by people preaching another Jesus. Paul preached to them free of charge, and he warns that false apostles disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, just as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Then Paul lists his credentials: not achievements, but labors, dangers, hunger, sleepless nights, and daily concern for the churches. He boasts in his weakness, ending with his escape from Damascus in a basket.

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World English Bible · 33 verses

¹ I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you in marriage to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we didn’t preach, or if you receive a different spirit which you didn’t receive, or a different “good news” which you didn’t accept, you put up with that well enough.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ I robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them that I might serve you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² But what I do, that I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity, that in which they boast, they may be recognized just like us.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ For you bear with a man if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, or if he strikes you on the face.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ To my shame, I speak as though we had been weak. Yet in whatever way anyone is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? So am I.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself.) I am more so: in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, and in deaths often.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ Five times I received forty stripes minus one from the Jews.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily: anxiety for all the assemblies.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the Damascenes’ city, desiring to arrest me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ I was let down in a basket through a window by the wall, and escaped his hands.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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2 Corinthians 11 · Preschool

Down in a Basket

Name Date

Color the big basket going down the wall. God kept Paul safe!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.”

2 Corinthians 11:30 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Paul was let down over a city wall in a big basket. God kept Paul safe so he could keep telling people about Jesus.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

2 Corinthians 11 · Grade 4

A Fool's Boast

Name Date

Read and Think

Paul asks the Corinthians to put up with a little foolishness. He feels a godly jealousy for them because he wants them to belong to Christ alone. He fears that, just as the serpent tricked Eve, they might be led away from sincere devotion to Christ. Some teachers were preaching a different Jesus, and the Corinthians were putting up with it.

Paul had preached to them free of charge, accepting support from other churches so he would not be a burden. He calls his rivals false apostles who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. This is no surprise, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Paul then boasts, but in an upside-down way. He lists hard work, prisons, danger on rivers, from robbers, in cities, in the wilderness, and at sea. He was often without sleep, hungry, thirsty, and cold. Beyond all this, he carried daily concern for all the churches. If he must boast, he will boast about his weakness. His final example is humbling. In Damascus, he escaped by being lowered in a basket through a window in the wall.

Show What You Know

Why does Paul feel a godly jealousy?
How do the false apostles disguise themselves?
What did Paul carry daily?
What does Paul choose to boast about?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

oftenapostleslightlittledifferent

Paul asks the Corinthians to put up with a foolishness.
Some teachers were preaching a Jesus, and the Corinthians were putting up with it.
He calls his rivals false who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.
This is no surprise, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of .
He was without sleep, hungry, thirsty, and cold.

Think About It

Paul's list of credentials is a list of hardships, not achievements. What does that teach about what makes someone a faithful servant of Christ?
False teachers can look appealing. How can believers stay devoted to the true Jesus of the Scriptures?

Memory Verse

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.”

2 Corinthians 11:30 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for keeping me safe. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What makes someone a faithful servant?
How can believers stay true to Jesus?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

2 Corinthians 11 · Grade 5

Boasting of Weakness

Name Date

Read and Think

Paul reluctantly enters the game of boasting his opponents were playing. Like a father who has promised his daughter in marriage, he wants to present the church as a pure bride to Christ. His fear is that, as the serpent deceived Eve, their minds will be corrupted from simple, pure devotion to Christ. These intruders preach another Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel, and the Corinthians tolerate it.

Paul had preached to them free of charge, and he insists he will keep doing so (11:7-12). He names them false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light, so it is no surprise that his servants appear as servants of righteousness.

Speaking as a fool, Paul matches their credentials: Hebrew, Israelite, descendant of Abraham. Then he turns boasting on its head. As a servant of Christ, he lists far greater labors, prisons, and harsh treatment. He faced shipwrecks and dangers from rivers, robbers, and false brothers. He knew toil, lack of sleep, hunger, thirst, and cold. Each day he felt concern for all the churches. If he must boast, he will boast of his weakness. His final example is humbling: he was let down in a basket through a window by the wall of Damascus (11:33).

Show What You Know

What picture does Paul use for presenting the church to Christ?
Why did Paul preach free of charge?
How does Paul turn boasting on its head?
How did Paul escape from Damascus?

Crossword

Across

I have been in travels ____
For such men are false ____

Down

I will also ____
The things that concern my ____
Are they ____ of Christ

Think About It

Paul's true credentials were faithfulness through hardship and love for the churches. How does this challenge the way people often measure leaders?
Satan masquerades as an angel of light. How can believers practice discernment without becoming suspicious of everyone?

Memory Verse

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.”

2 Corinthians 11:30 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for keeping me safe. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can weakness show God's power in your life?
How can believers practice discernment?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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2 Corinthians 11: Paul's Hardships

Read 2 Corinthians 11

Worksheets

Down in a Basket

Prayer

Take It Home

God Kept Paul Safe

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Paul's Hard Times

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Paul's Hardships

Prayer

Take It Home

Paul Kept Going

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Boasting in Weakness

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Paul's Hardships

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

A Fool's Boast

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

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Prayer

Take It Home

Boasting of Weakness

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

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Prayer

Take It Home

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