2 Corinthians: Compassion and Truth

Sermon Outline for May 14, 2023
2 Corinthians 11:1-15 || Compassion and Truth

Main idea: Due to the Corinthians’ lack of maturity, Paul is concerned that false teachers
(sarcastically: “super-apostles”) would lead the Christians away from their sincere and pure
devotion to Christ. So, Paul will undermine the false teachers’ influence by comparing them
to himself (i.e., “boasting” in himself). This “foolish” boasting is based in Paul’s love and
godly jealousy for the Corinthian Christians.

Passage: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15
 (vv. 1-4) Paul’s reason for (“foolishly”) boasting: his godly jealousy for the Corinthians’
faith
The content of Paul’s boasting:
1. His preaching the gospel to the Corinthians free of charge (11:5-15)
2. His sufferings and credentials as an apostle of Jesus (11:16-33)
3. His mystical experience (12:1-10)
 (vv. 5-11) Boasting #1—Paul’s preaching the gospel to the Corinthians free of charge
 (vv. 12-15) Paul’s goal for not accepting the Corinthians’ money: to undermine the false
apostles who are leading people away from the true gospel of Jesus

Application: What do we need to do?
• Examine our own thoughts and see whether they are true according to Scripture. Do
our beliefs fit with the overarching story of God in this world? Do we hold to a
wholistic picture of Jesus Christ, or do we pick and choose the parts we like and
ignore the parts where Jesus talks about sin and judgment?
• Study Scripture in community and in conversation with other Christians.
• Love others by sharing in a gracious and compassionate way the truth of God in this
world.

Questions for Discussion:
1. How do you define ‘love’? Do you see both ‘compassion’ and ‘truth’ as essential
elements?
2. Do you find it difficult to hold both ‘compassion’ and ‘truth’ towards others? Do you
tend to emphasize one over the other?
3. Are there teachings of the Bible you struggle to accept or believe as true?
4. Paul is concerned about false teachers leading the Corinthian people astray from the
true gospel of Jesus Christ. Is there a modern equivalent of this situation?