2 Corinthians 11 Footnotes

Second, the “super-apostles” proclaimed their superiority over Paul, pointing to their own eloquence (11:5-6). They may well have claimed to have more visions and revelations (12:1). Perhaps, too, they pointed to missionary success and to greater distances traveled. But Paul defended his ministry based on his faithfulness and effectiveness in persuading unbelievers to be reconciled to God (5:11,18–6:2). He argued that his sufferings in ministry were not a sign of his inferiority but were consistent with and an extension of Christ’s sufferings at Golgotha (2:13-17; 4:7-12; 6:3-13; 11:1–12:13). He suffered as Christ suffered (though not redemptively) because he came pleading with his hearers on account of the One who became sin in their place (5:18-21). Paul’s sufferings for Christ revealed his close identification with Christ and his cross, and God’s deliverances identified him with Christ’s resurrection (1:10; 4:7-11; 12:7-10). Paul’s sufferings served as authentication of his ministry—against the triumphalism of the “super-apostles.” His catalog of missionary sufferings (as an extension of Christ’s sufferings) is a stunning and ironic subversion of the claim of “super-apostles” to superiority (11:21–12:13).