2 Cor. 11:9. And indeed in all things I have endeavored, and will endeavor, not to be a burden to you.
He shows that they considered it a burden to supply him with food. Well said – "I will endeavor," so that you do not think, he says, that I said this with the intention of receiving from you afterwards. But also "I have endeavored and will endeavor not to be a burden to you" – this is a strong rebuke to them; although he has not yet completely lost hope in them, he absolutely does not intend to receive anything from them.
2 Cor. 11:10. By the truth of Christ that is in me, I will say that this boasting shall not be taken from me in the regions of Achaia.
Lest they should think that he said "I will endeavor" in order to attract them more to himself, he says: in the truth that is in Christ Jesus, I say that I will take nothing; but lest anyone should think that he says this under the influence of sorrow or anger, he calls this matter a boast. To preach the Gospel without charge was glory for him, because for the sake of Christ he was ready to go beyond the limits appointed by Christ. The expression "shall not be stopped" (rendered in the Russian Bible as "shall not be taken away") is a metaphor borrowed from flowing rivers: thus, when the fame about him had flowed everywhere, he says: this good and glorious stream shall not be stopped by the fact that from this time forward I begin to receive something. And the expression "in the regions of Achaia" shows his indignation. For if this is a boast, then it ought to have been maintained everywhere; but if it is maintained only in the specified regions, then it is evident that those people to whom this was written do not possess sound judgment, like the rest.
2 Cor. 11:11. Why do I act this way? Is it because I do not love you? God knows!
Intending to explain the reason why he did not take from them, namely, because of the appearance of false apostles, he thereby undermines the Corinthians' suspicion: you do not take, as it seems, out of hatred toward us. Therefore he also says: I love you more and do not wish to offend you, because you are easily led astray. But he does not say this so clearly, so as not to shame their weakness, and turns his speech to another reason.
2 Cor. 11:12. But as I act, so I will continue to act,
2 Cor. 11:12. so as to give no occasion to those seeking an occasion, that in what they boast, they may be found just as we are.
Here he states quite clearly the reason why he did not take anything. Since the devil knew that people of this age especially love those teachers who take nothing, he taught the false apostles to interpret even this in their own way. For they did not act more justly in this matter, although they were rich, but while teaching not to take, they took. Therefore he did not say: "that in what they do they may be found more just," but: "in what they boast of," which is an obvious sign of boasting. So the apostle, understanding this, made it a rule for himself to take nothing from them, even when he was in need of something — in order to repel their attack and give no occasion for reproach against himself. Although this could not be a matter of reproach, since it was in accordance with the law of Christ; but since the Corinthians, out of weakness, were still scandalized, he guarded himself against this. And finally, the false apostles, being inferior to the true apostles in everything else, had no advantage in this either: one may say that they would have been inferior to them even if they had not taken, since they were rich, while Paul did not take though suffering need, and that they did not act justly but were being hypocritical, whereas the apostle acted justly.
2 Cor. 11:13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
What are you saying? Those who preach Christ, who do not introduce a different Gospel, as he said above, have now become false apostles? Yes, he says, for this very reason; for, being hypocritical in this, they secretly introduce impious dogmas. And "evil workers," because they only appear to be building up, but in reality they uproot what had been planted, and, having only the outward appearance of apostles, are truly wolves in sheep's clothing.
2 Cor. 11:14. And no wonder, for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
For, since their teacher (Satan) ventures upon everything, it is nothing surprising that they also imitate him. "An angel of light" – he means the one who has boldness, stands before the true light, proclaims that God is light, and in Him he is light. The devil transforms himself into such an angel, but does not become one. So also the false apostles have only the appearance of apostles, but not the actual power. Let us learn from this, then, that doing anything for show (out of vainglory) is characteristic especially of the devil.
2 Cor. 11:15. And therefore it is no great thing if his servants also take on the appearance of servants of righteousness; but their end will be according to their deeds.
That is, as ministers of the Gospel, which contains the truth, or — that they surround themselves with the glory of righteous men; but they shall not escape entirely, for according to their works shall be their end, that is, a bad one. So that by their works we shall know them, for their end shall be in accordance with their deeds.
2 Cor. 11:16. I say again: let no one think me foolish; but if not, then receive me even as foolish, so that I too may boast a little.
For although he was already using qualifications, he still says: I am not satisfied with what has been said, but again I say: "let no one think me foolish." For to boast simply is characteristic of foolishness; but I do this not as a fool, but out of necessity. However, if you do not agree with me and consider me completely foolish, even though I boast out of necessity, I do not avoid this. So receive me as a fool, "that I too," that is, like them, "may boast," but even then "a little."
2 Cor. 11:17. What I say, I say not in the Lord, but as it were in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting,
What I say, he says, is not according to the Lord, that is, these words, but the purpose of these words is entirely in the Lord. And he did not say: in foolishness, but: "as if in foolishness." For to appear, and not actually to be in foolishness — that is my boast. And lest you think that he everywhere speaks as a fool and not according to the Lord, he says: "what I shall say," and not my other words.
2 Cor. 11:18. Since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.
That is – by external merits, noble birth, by the fact that they are circumcised and their ancestors are Jews. For this is what he calls boasting "not in the Lord"; for what is the benefit of being a Jew? Therefore, I do not consider this a virtue, but since they, he says, boast of this, I too am compelled to resort to this comparison.
2 Cor. 11:19. You, being wise, gladly bear with the foolish,
You, he says, compel me to say this; for if you had not received them and I had not seen from this that you had fallen into error, I would not have come to this. By foolish he means those who boast in fleshly things. For if boasting in spiritual things is a sign of folly, how much more so boasting in things that do not exist. The words "sensible people" seem flattering, yet they contain the highest degree of censure, because, possessing knowledge, he says, you err; for if you were foolish, you would be worthy of indulgence.
2 Cor. 11:20. You bear it when someone enslaves you,
Look, he exposes the Corinthians in what servility and extreme submission to the false apostles.