Paul was about to delve into what he considered to be a foolish comparison. He wasn’t interested in comparing himself to others, but he felt that he needed to stoop to the level of the false teachers in order to show that he had more credibility and authority than them. He asks them to bear with him as he descended into this foolishness. Why do this, because he had godly jealousy for them. As their spiritual father (1 Cor 4:15) he betrothed them to one husband and wanted to present them as a pure virgin when they came to Christ. He compared the false teachers to the serpent who deceived Eve through cunning. In the same way, they were in danger of being led astray from their pure devotion to Christ. In the marriage metaphor, the church is betrothed to Christ and the marriage is only consummated at His second coming. Until that time, if they left themselves open to another gospel, a different Jesus, or a different spirit, then they were in danger of compromising themselves and their spiritual growth and would find themselves unapproved for a reward at the judgment seat of Christ. A different gospel would be anything that distorts the gospel and claims that faith alone in Christ alone is not sufficient. Paul doesn’t explain how the gospel was being distorted but it is usually done by adding works and self-effort to faith in order to be acceptable to God.

Paul didn’t consider himself at all inferior to these super-apostles (They may have claimed this title or Paul may be using it ironically of their claimed status). Paul was a lay speaker rather than a professional orator but what he may have lacked in flair he made up with knowledge and that had been amply demonstrated to them. The typical method missionaries used to support themselves at the time was from the people to whom they were ministering (Luke 9:3-4). But Paul had not taken any financial assistance from the Corinthians. Instead, Paul chose to support himself through tent-making (Acts 18:3). Paul sometimes even received support from other churches while ministering to the Corinthians. He described it as “robbing” them because they were poor though he hadn’t asked for it. This was Paul’s choice, and most likely the choice of the church at Philippi (Phil 4:10-18). It was not an accusation against the Corinthians. It wasn’t for lack of love that Paul didn’t accept support from the Corinthians, in fact, it was just the opposite and God was his witness.

Paul was determined to continue ministering the way he had so that the false apostles would have no claim that they worked on the same basis. These false apostles were deceitful workers who disguised themselves as apostles of Christ. There were wolves in sheep’s clothing, Satan’s servants disguised as servants of righteousness simply following his lead as he masquerades as an angel of light. These apostles were simply following their master as they spread lies under the pretense of being apostles (John 8:44). They were certain to face judgment and receive just deserts for their deeds.

Are you careful about what you read, watch, and listen to, even within the Christian realm? There is a lot of material out there that promotes a different gospel, a different Jesus, and a different spirit. We are responsible for keeping a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. How are you guarding your walk with God?