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. 12But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds 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 is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
• 2 Corinthians 2:17You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.
• 2 Corinthians 4:2We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
• Matthew 25:24“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate.
• Acts 15:1While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
• Acts 20:30Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
• Romans 16:18Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
• Galatians 1:7but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
• Galatians 2:4Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations.
• Galatians 4:17Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them.
• Galatians 6:12Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save.
• Ephesians 4:14Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
• Philippians 1:15It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.
• Colossians 2:4I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.
• 1 Timothy 1:4Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.
• 1 Timothy 4:1Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from 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