2 Corinthians 11:13

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

Context of 2 Corinthians 11:13

11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do love you. 12But I’ll go on doing what I’m doing. This will take away the opportunity of those people who want to brag because they think they’re like us. People who brag like this are false apostles. They are dishonest workers, since they disguise themselves as Christ’s apostles. 14And no wonder, even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15So it’s not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants who have God’s approval. In the end they will get what they deserve.

2 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’s not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants who have God’s approval. In the end they will get what they deserve.
• 2 Corinthians 2:17At least we don’t go around selling an impure word of God like many others. The opposite is true. As Christ’s spokesmen and in God’s presence, we speak the pure message that comes from God.
• 2 Corinthians 4:2Instead, we have refused to use secret and shameful ways. We don’t use tricks, and we don’t distort God’s word. As God watches, we clearly reveal the truth to everyone. This is our ⌞letter of⌟ recommendation.
• Matthew 25:24“Then the one who received two thousand dollars came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you are a hard person to please. You harvest where you haven’t planted and gather where you haven’t scattered any seeds.
• Acts 15:1Some men came from Judea and started to teach believers that people can’t be saved unless they are circumcised as Moses’ Teachings require.
• Acts 20:30Some of your own men will come forward and say things that distort the truth. They will do this to lure disciples into following them.
• Romans 16:18People like these are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive unsuspecting people.
• Galatians 1:7But what some people are calling good news is not really good news at all. They are confusing you. They want to distort the Good News about Christ.
• Galatians 2:4False Christians were brought in. They slipped in as spies to learn about the freedom Christ Jesus gives us. They hoped to find a way to control us.
• Galatians 4:17These people ⌞who distort the Good News⌟ are devoted to you, but not in a good way. They don’t want you to associate with me so that you will be devoted only to them.
• Galatians 6:12These people who want to make a big deal out of a physical thing are trying to force you to be circumcised. Their only aim is to avoid persecution because of the cross of Christ.
• Ephesians 4:14Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray.
• Philippians 1:15Some people tell the message about Christ because of their jealousy and envy. Others tell the message about him because of their good will.
• Colossians 2:4I say this so that no one will mislead you with arguments that merely sound good.
• 1 Timothy 1:4and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These myths and genealogies raise a lot of questions rather than promoting God’s plan, which centers in faith.
• 1 Timothy 4:1The Spirit says clearly that in later times some believers will desert the Christian faith. They will follow spirits that deceive, and they will believe the 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

• Apostles
• Deceit
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Abase
• Above
• Corrupt
• Fear
• Jealous
• Peril
• Receive
• Save

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