Note 20 at 2 Cor. 11:13: Paul isn't mincing any words now. He has come right to the point. His critics were "false apostles." He goes on to call them "deceitful workers," and Satan's "ministers" (v. 15). This leaves no doubt that these people were not deceived, but were deceivers.

It's important to note that it is towards the end of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians that he becomes this blunt (actually the third letter: see Introduction to the Book of 1 Corinthians-Overview, p. 856). He had countered the attacks on his apostleship in many ways without attacking his attackers. But now he is "pulling out all the stops." He cannot really be criticized for doing this, but it's very interesting that he is using this form of defense last. Most people would have begun their defense by trying to discredit their opponent.

This shows that Paul was not taking these attacks personally. He was more concerned about the Corinthians than he was about himself. He taught them scripturally why their doctrine was wrong. That way they could not only "see through" these individuals, but anyone else who came preaching another gospel. Only as a last resort did he counter the people who were causing the problems.

There is a time to counter "false apostles" personally, but it is not all the time. And it should not be the first line of defense. That type of thing signals immaturity and selfishness. Those who have a so-called ministry of exposing "false apostles" are false apostles themselves (see note 5 at 2 Cor. 3:3, p. 988).

Note 21 at 2 Cor. 11:13: False apostles are mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:5, 13; Revelation 2:2. General references to unfaithful ministers are found in Isaiah 56:10; Jeremiah 6:13; 23:11; Lamentations 2:14; Ezekiel 33:6; Micah 3:11; and Philippians 1:15. Characteristics of false shepherds are found in Isaiah 56:10-12; Jeremiah 23:2; 50:6; Ezekiel 34:2, 3; Zechariah 11:17; and John 10:12. General references to false prophets are found in Deuteronomy 13:5; 18:22; Isaiah 9:15; Jeremiah 2:8; 5:3; 14:14; 23:16; Ezekiel 13:2; 22:28; Hosea 9:7; Micah 3:5; Zephaniah 3:4; Zechariah 13:3; Matthew 7:15; 24:11; and Mark 13:22. Warnings against false teachers are found in Matthew 5:19; 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:7; 4:2; 6:3; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:11; and 2 Peter 2:1.

Some examples of false or corrupt ministers found in scriptures are: Nadab and Abihu-Leviticus 10:1-2; Eli's sons-1 Samuel 2:12-17; Samuel's sons-1 Samuel 8:1-3; Judas-Matthew 26:14-16; Simon the sorcerer-Acts 8:9-11; the Judaizers-Acts 15:1, Galatians 3:1-4; Elymas-Acts 13:6-11; Hymenaeus and Alexander-1 Timothy 1:20; and Philetus-2 Timothy 2:17-18.

Note 22 at 2 Cor. 11:13: The Greek word which was translated "transforming" here is "metaschematizo." This word literally means "to transfigure or disguise." The NIV translates this phrase as "masquerading as apostles of Christ." Paul is saying they disguise themselves to look like apostles, but they aren't. The best way to recognize a counterfeit is to become so well acquainted with the real thing that no one can fool you. Those who have only a casual knowledge of God and His ways are susceptible to deception.