Who were the people opposing Paul's apostleship in 2 Corinthians 11?
The people opposing Paul’s apostleship were Jews, identified by their claims to be Hebrews, Israelites, and the seed of Abraham. The context states it was Jews, though whether they were Jerusalem’s Jewish leaders is speculation and not stated in Scripture.
Les explains that the people constantly opposing Paul’s apostleship were Jews. He notes he will not say definitively that they were the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, but thinks deep down they may have been, because they were not ready to accept that pagan Gentiles could be saved without becoming part of Judaism; he calls that speculation, since Scripture does not say it. Whoever Paul refers to, Les says, it was Jews, because Paul matches their boasts: Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. That heritage meant everything to a Jew.
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
More Questions
Did Paul's opponents in 2 Corinthians include the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem?
Les suspects, though he admits it is speculation not stated in Scripture, that the Jews opposing Paul were the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.
How does Paul answer the credentials of the Jerusalem apostles in 2 Corinthians 11:22?
Paul matches the Jerusalem apostles credential for credential, answering 'so am I' to being Hebrews, Israelites, the seed of Abraham, and ministers of Christ.