English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 11:13
13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
- New International Version (NIV)For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
- New Living Translation (NLT)These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.
Context of 2 Corinthians 11:13
11And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 12And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 112 Corinthians 11:13 word by word
οἱ γὰρ τοιοῦτοι ψευδαπόστολοι, ἐργάται δόλιοι, μετασχηματιζόμενοι εἰς ἀποστόλους Χριστοῦ·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- suchτοιοῦτοςtoioutos · such as thisG5108
- false apostlesψευδαπόστολοςpseudapostolos · false apostleG5570
- deceitfulδόλιοςdolios · deceitfulG1386
- workersἐργάτηςergatēs · workerG2040
- transforming themselvesμετασχηματίζωmetaschēmatizō · to transformG3345
- intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
- the apostlesἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
- of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 11:13
- 2 Corinthians 11:15So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
- 2 Corinthians 2:17For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 4:2But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
- Matthew 25:24He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,
- Acts 15:1But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
- Acts 20:30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
- Romans 16:18For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
- Galatians 1:7not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
- Galatians 2:4Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—
- Galatians 4:17They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.
- Galatians 6:12It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
- Ephesians 4:14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
- Philippians 1:15Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.
- Colossians 2:4I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
- 1 Timothy 1:4nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
- 1 Timothy 4:1Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13For such are false apostles - Persons who pretend to be apostles, but have no mission from Christ. Deceitful workers - They do preach and labor, but they have nothing but their own emolument in view. Transforming themselves - Assuming as far as they possibly can, consistently with their sinister views, the habit, manner, and doctrine of the apostles of Christ.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13For such are false apostles - They have no claim to the apostolic office. They are deceivers. They pretend to be apostles; but they have no divine commission from the Redeemer. Paul had thus far argued the case without giving them an explicit designation as deceivers. But here he says that people who had conducted thus; who attempted to impose on the people; who had brought another gospel, whatever pretences they might have - and he was not disposed to…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-15Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-15Paul strongly criticizes the false teachers in Corinth (compare Galatians 1:6–9). Although these teachers wanted to claim their work was like Paul's (2 Corinthians 11:12), they were actually false apostles and deceitful workers (compare Philippians 3:2). Just as Satan transformed himself into an angel of light to deceive Eve (as described in the Jewish apocryphal book The Life of Adam and Eve), his servants also pretend to be servants of righteousness…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. For--reason why he is unwilling they should be thought like him [Bengel]. such--they and those like them. false apostles--those "overmuch apostles" (see on 2Co 11:5) are no apostles at all. deceitful workers--pretending to be "workmen" for the Lord, and really seeking their own gain.Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 11:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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