(2Co 11:19) “For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. (20) For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.”  What carnal man thinks regarding the things of God are opposite from the ways of spirituality. Carnality excepts from those in authority what should be exposed by the revealed Word of God. Instead, they suffer it.

(2Co 11:16) “I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little (17)  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.”  Having stated that boasting is not the way of God, the Holy Spirit has Paul demonstrate how he “could have” done so. In other words, he could have, but didn’t, because such is not the way of God: (Mat 20:27) “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” 

WATER  (2Co 11:16) “I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little (17)  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.”  Paul was not sent to them, nor had presented himself to them presenting letters of authority, nor speaking of himself in self-exalting terms. Such is not the way of a true servant of God. The message is the authority. God’s true children will recognize it.

(2Co 11:17) “That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. (18)  Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. (19) For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.”  Remember, the wisdom of this world is in contrast, not agreement, with the wisdom of God. So often, when you hear discussions about the things of God, you hear, “I think…” That means my opinion should have merit. Our conclusions should be drawn upon the Bible so that we might say, “The Bible says”.

“Stepping Aside”  We often hear said, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”  I get that and why we say it. Yet, are we guilty of forgetting the Son, the babe, was given to pay for “my” sins? He was not here just to walk among us. He was here to give His life because if He did not – we would die and spend eternity in hell. THANK GOD AND MERRY CHRISTMAS.

(2Co 11:17) “That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. (18)  Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.”  The Holy Spirit makes it plain, that this is not a method used of the godly, but of the ungodly. Yet, their actions had revealed that they were influenced by ungodly rather than godly actions. So, they who boast are appealing to your flesh.

(2Co 11:16) “I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.”  “Fool”: in this context, “one who seeks to uplift self before others.” Though speaking “as a fool”, Paul is only “acting” the fool. His goal is not self’s exaltation, but acceptance for their good and God’s glory.

(2 Cor 11:15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”  I am afraid that Satan’s servants have blended-in to such a degree that most “Christians”, through ignorance of God’s Word cannot tell the difference. Our text tells us that they will be manifest at the Great White Throne Judgment, “whose end shall be according to their works.”

(2Co 11:14) “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”  A child inherits the traits of his father. Jesus said the lost believed lies for they were like their father the Devil, the father of lies. One can come to church and act like a saint, but it is just a pretense. Gathering with the saints does not make one. Only Jesus can transform us from a child of the devil to be instead a child of God.