2 Corinthians 11:5 - Paul and the False Apostles

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Context

Paul and the False Apostles
…4For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily. 5 I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible.…

Cross References

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.1 Corinthians 9:1-2
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? / Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.Galatians 2:6-9
But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—those leaders added nothing to me. / On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. / For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. ...Philippians 3:4-6
though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: / circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.Acts 9:15
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.1 Corinthians 3:5-9
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. / I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ...1 Corinthians 4:9-13
For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men. / We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. / To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. ...1 Corinthians 12:11
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.Ephesians 3:7-8
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. / Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,Romans 11:13
I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry1 Timothy 2:7
For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.Acts 26:16-18
‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you. / I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them / to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’1 Corinthians 1:1
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,1 Corinthians 2:4-5
My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, / so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

2 Corinthians 12:11,12
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing…

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Galatians 2:6-9
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: …

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2 Corinthians 11

I consider myself
Paul begins with a personal assertion, emphasizing his self-awareness and confidence in his apostolic authority. This reflects his deep conviction and understanding of his calling by Christ (Acts 9:15-16). His use of "I consider" indicates a thoughtful and deliberate assessment of his position, not based on pride but on the truth of his mission.

in no way inferior
Paul addresses the accusations and doubts cast by his opponents. The phrase suggests a defense against claims of inadequacy or lack of authority. This echoes his earlier defense of his ministry in 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, where he states that his competence comes from God. It highlights the theme of divine empowerment over human credentials.

to those “super-apostles.”
The term "super-apostles" is likely used sarcastically to refer to individuals who claimed superior authority or credentials. These figures may have boasted of their rhetorical skills or Jewish heritage (2 Corinthians 11:22). Paul contrasts their self-promotion with his own sufferings and weaknesses, which he presents as evidence of true apostolic ministry (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This phrase also connects to the broader theme of false teachings and the need for discernment within the church, as seen in Galatians 1:6-9.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth. He is defending his apostolic authority against those he sarcastically refers to as "super-apostles."

2. Super-Apostles
A term used by Paul to describe certain individuals in Corinth who were challenging his authority and promoting themselves as superior apostles.

3. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece where Paul established a church. The city was known for its wealth, diversity, and moral challenges.

4. The Corinthian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, struggling with internal divisions and external influences that questioned Paul's authority.

5. Apostolic Authority
The concept of authority given by Christ to His apostles to teach, lead, and establish churches.

Teaching Points

Understanding True Authority
Paul’s confidence in his calling comes from God, not human validation. Believers should seek God’s approval above all.

Discernment in Leadership
The church must discern true spiritual leadership based on biblical truth and character, not charisma or self-promotion.

Humility in Service
Despite his authority, Paul models humility. Christians are called to serve with humility, recognizing that all authority is from God.

Guarding Against False Teachings
Just as Paul warned the Corinthians, believers today must be vigilant against teachings that deviate from the gospel.

Unity in the Body of Christ
Paul’s defense of his apostleship is ultimately for the unity and edification of the church. Christians should strive for unity in truth.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 112 Corinthians 11:5 – Who were the so-called “super-apostles,” and why do we lack clear historical confirmation of their identity or influence? Who were the super-apostles in early Christianity?What are the Nag Hammadi writings?What is the meaning of "Angel of Light"?

(5) For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.--The verb with which the sentence opens is the same as the "I think," "I reckon," which characterises these chapters, and which, being characteristic, ought to be retained. I reckon I have not fallen short of those apostles-extraordinary. The whole tone of the passage ought to have made it impossible for any commentator to imagine that the words referred to Peter and James and John as the pillars of the Church of Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9). Of them he speaks, even in his boldest moments, with respect, even where respect is mingled with reproof. He is glad to remember how they gave to him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. He presents himself at Jerusalem a few months after writing these words, and almost submissively follows the counsel which James gives him (Acts 21:26). It is, accordingly, simply the insanity of controversy to imagine that these words have any bearing on the question of the primacy of St. Peter. Those whom he holds up to scorn with an almost withering irony, as "apostles-extraordinary" (he coins a word which literally means, "these extra-special or over-extra apostles"), are the false teachers, claiming to stand in a special relation to Christ, to be His Apostles--perhaps, also, to have a double title to the name, as delegates of the Church of Jerusalem. Of these he speaks more fully in 2Corinthians 11:13.

Verse 5. - For. It cannot be that you received this rival teacher as being so much superior to me; for, etc. I suppose. Again, like the Latin censeo or opinor, with a touch of irony. I was not a whit behind; in no respect have I come short of. The very chiefest apostles. The word used by St. Paul for "very chiefest" is one which, in its strangeness, marks the vehemence of his emotion. It involves an indignant sense that he had been most disparagingly compared with other apostles, as though he were hardly a genuine apostle at all. Yet he reckons himself to have done as much as the "above exceedingly" - or, as it might be expressed, the "out and out," "extra-super," or "super-apostolic," apostles. There is here no reflection whatever on the twelve; he merely means that, even if any with whom he was uufavourably contrasted were "apostles ten times over," he can claim to be in the front rank with them. This is no more than he has said with the utmost earnestness in 1 Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 2:6. There is no self-assertion here; but, in consequence of the evil done by his detractors, St. Paul, with an utter sense of distaste, is forced to say the simple truth. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

I consider myself
Λογίζομαι (Logizomai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3049: To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.

in no way
μηδὲν (mēden)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

inferior
ὑστερηκέναι (hysterēkenai)
Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active
Strong's 5302: From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.

to those
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

“super-apostles.”
Ὑπερλίαν (Hyperlian)
Adverb
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

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2 Corinthians 11:5 Catholic BibleNT Letters: 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I reckon that I am not (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)