Self Appointed Teachers

Commentary

Paul had taught these people the principle that he who preaches the gospel has a right to live by the gospel. It was he who taught them the old proverb, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads the corn” (Deut. 25:4). Yet when he came to Corinth, he would not accept any support from anybody (vv. 7-12). He wanted to demonstrate in his own life that the gospel is free-of-charge. Because of this these teachers in Corinth were saying, “You know the reason why Paul isn’t supported by you? It is because he is an amateur apostle. He is not a professional one like us.”
Up to this point Paul has been dealing graciously with his enemies, but now he lays everything on the table and says what he really thinks of them. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (v. 13). Who are these false apostles? We cannot be sure, but several factors suggest that they were Pales­tinian Jews and members of the Jerusalem church. One of the things that points to this is that they carried letters of commendation from the church, possibly under the auspices of the Jerusalem Council (II Cor. 3:1).
Paul did not contest their appeal to be under the authority of the “super apostles” (Jerusalem council). But he did refute the value of such an appeal and stated that this was a matter of human association rather than proof of divine accreditation. These false teachers were able to deceive the Corinthian believers, “for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (v. 14). One day their true character will be revealed, and their judgment will be according to their works (v. 15).

Application

I want to be able to recognize a false teacher if he presents himself as an angel of light. Then I must be able to warn other believers about false teachers who try to deceive the Church.