Paul and the Super-Apostles – Quest. 2

Published on: Author: jblock@uoregon.edu 11 Comments

In 2 Corinthians, Paul spends several chapters addressing the threat of so-called “super-apostles” to his ministry to the church in Corinth. The background and teachings of these men are indicated in 10:3-5, where Paul uses warfare imagery to point out that these super-apostles are debaters. He implies that they are trained in speech (in contrast to himself) in 11:6. Paul also recognizes that these super-apostles claim to be “descendants of Abraham” and “ministers of Christ” (11:22-23), and were demonstrating miracles (12:11-12). They clearly took exception to the humble way in which Paul presented himself, claiming that while his letters were weighty, he was unimpressive in person (10:10), and was untrained in speech (11:6) – an apparent sign of weakness for a leader. There were also claims that Paul may have been dishonest with funds as he suspiciously would not allow himself to be financially supported by the Corinthians (11:7-11; 12:16). Ultimately, it seemed the super-apostles viewed Paul as a fool (11:16). Paul responds to these claims boldly, first by announcing to the Corinthians that whatever he said in a letter he certainly means to do in person (10:11). He also addresses their view of him as humble and unimpressive by saying that he refuses to boast beyond limits and will stick to the assignment he has been given from God (10:13), this in contrast to the way Paul characterizes the super-apostles as boastful, working outside their jurisdiction, looking to take credit for the work of others, and not showing good sense (10:12-13, 15-16). He even implies that these men, while they commend themselves are not necessarily even commended by God (10:18). He reminds the Corinthians that he was the first to come to them with the Gospel (10:14) and even if he lacks training in speech, he has proven to them he does not lack knowledge (11:6). Further, Paul asserts that any humbling of himself has purpose to elevate the church and makes him an even better minister (11:7, 23). The work of the super-apostles on the other hand may lead the church astray (11:3-4) and their need to be recognized shows them to be “false apostles and deceitful workers…ministers of Satan disguised as ministers of righteousness.” (11:12-13, 15). Ultimately, Paul seems to be warning the Corinthian church not to trust those who appear to have everything together – the ministers who have slick speech and can perform miracles, but are driven by recognition and power. On the contrary, Paul says that true power “is made perfect in weakness.” Suffering and the display human weakness show authenticity (11:30-31) and humility gives access to God’s power, rather than relying on one’s own human strength (12:7-10). Therefore, the appearance of Paul’s weakness – that which the super-apostles would put him down for, was in fact his greatest strength as it showed authenticity and a reliance on God instead of himself.

11 Responses to Paul and the Super-Apostles – Quest. 2 Comments (RSS) Comments (RSS)

  1. Please be clear about who the “super apostles” are! This does not describe the original 12 apostles, for they were certainly not skilled orators. Paul, trained under Gamaliel, was more skilled than they. The 11 apostles gave their lives for the gospel. Be clear that Paul was not describing the 11 apostles who were trained by Jesus Christ.

    • All of the twelve apostles (including Matthias who replaced Judas) were skilled orators. Apostles preach. They’d had lots of practice. Nowhere else in the NT is “apostles” used to refer to anyone but the actual apostles. There was a big rift between Peter and James with Paul. They did not endorse him. This made Paul mad and is why he wrote that to Corinth.

      Read 2 Corinthians 24. Paul also says in that chapter that the Jesus who came to him on the Road to Damascus is not the same Jesus as ministered to the apostles. He said the gospel, the Jesus and the holy spirit were different than the ones Peter was given. And he says that should be okay, if someone comes with a different gospel, you accept them.

      Paul was the Ravening Wolf false prophet that Genesis and Jesus warned about. He was of the tribe of Benjamin. Google these things and take them at face value, don’t let other men tell you that’s not what it means bc they don’t like having to throw out most of the new testament.

      • 2 Corinthians 24? This has to be tongue in cheek. I hope so. For there is no 2 Corinthians 24. The Bible is clear that the apostles respected each other and Paul was wholeheartedly confirmed by the Apostles including Peter and James (Galatians 2:1-10.) Interestingly enough this James was not one of the twelve but still called an apostle he was Jesus brother whose heart was converted after Jesus resurrection. Jesus even appears to him first (1 Corinthians 15:7.) Apostle literally means “sent out,” in Greek. It is not necessarily referring to just the twelve disciples. Jesus sent out the 12 and also 70 (Luke 10.) So we must be careful to think that it is referring to just the 12 original disciples. But in Paul’s case he had hands laid upon him and was “sent out” as an apostle specifically to the gentiles.

        There were disagreements among the Apostles, if you continue to read Galatians 2:11-13 Paul confronts Peter for his hypocrisy of eating with gentiles until a group of Jews from James show up.

        But if you read Acts 15 it can be seen that Peter and James boldly support Paul. Paul and Barnabas go to the Apostles and Elders to ask the question whether gentile converts must be circumcised. There some believers from who belonged to the Pharisee party claim that they must while Paul argues they don’t. Peter makes an eloquent argument in support of Paul’s theology and James backs it up with scripture. This along with Paul and Barnabas telling of signs and wonders done by God among the gentiles causes the whole church to support them! Acts 15:22 “The whole church” including I believe the Pharisees believers write a letter in support of Paul. “ So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:25.)”Peter specifically even mention Paul as beloved and supports his letters (2 Peter 3:14-16.)

        Suffice to say these men the “Super Apostles,” a name Paul gives them were not the 12 Disciples. Rather they were likely trouble makers who plagued Paul. They did not shows signs of humbleness of the true Apostles. They flaunted there eloquence and miracles. So Paul is in a way mocking them by calling them Super. For no true Christ follower would seek to be known as Super. Not even even Christ.

        “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:3-8

  2. Hello U Jones. I believe the passage is quite clear that Paul is not speaking of the 12 apostles. Paul would have named names as he does in other portions of scripture. He wouldn’t call the 12 apostles deceitful workers and ministers of Satan. After all, Peter, James and John were all apostles and have written parts of the New Testament. If Paul were indicting any of the apostles he would have made it clear which ones to avoid. God Bless You brother…Peace in the name of Jesus:)

  3. I believe that Paul was referring to the original apostles, because history shows that Paul and Peter had hatred and disagreements before when Paul confronted Peter to his face regarding Peter conversing with gentiles. And because of that confrontation, Bible scholars agree that in the letters of 1st and 2nd Peter was forged by Paul due to the fact that the handwriting style was too sophisticated for Peter because Peter’s writing and reading skills were limited, almost making him illiterate which was common with fisherman. In other words, the 2 letters of Peter tried to convey that Peter and Paul was close friends but it didn’t match their past history. Paul knew that in order to be accepted as an apostle he had to forge Peter’s name to trick people into thinking that he was an apostle. Jesus brother James held a council meeting for Paul to test him and expose his intentions and as a result Paul failed and was rejected in the church of Ephesus. Paul admits to being rejected but he neglected to reveal why, because he didn’t want to expose the fact that the original apostles rejected him. In one of the letters to the church of Ephesus, that letter sent by Christ confirms that there was in fact someone who claimed to be an apostle but was not. The only “apostle” who was at that church was Paul.

    • This is accurate.

      “Super-Apostles” are the originally the first 12 Apostles (12 minus 1 = 11).

      Paul is the 12th, and He is Jesus’ Pick.

      The first Apostles seems to be Rejecting Paul’s Message from Jesus Christ, which is about the Inclusion of the Gentiles (other Sheep of Jesus).

      They are declining Paul, That Paul even frankly Mention them as the “Super-Apostles”

      As a matter of fact,
      Peter (One of the “Super-Apostle” at the Time Paul mention) is Having a Hard Time Accepting the Gentile Believers (Gentile/Other Sheep)

  4. PLEASE TELL ME IF FAITH TV ON CHANNEL 341 DSTV IS RELATED TO THE SUPER APOSTLES. I NEED CLARITY ON THIS. PASTORS WEARING BEADED HAND CHAINS, WHAT DOES THAT RESEMBLE.

    • No. The Super-Apostle are Peter, James, etc.
      the originally first 12 apostles.

      Meanwhile, the Ones on FaithTV of your Channel341.TV are BS.

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