How many times does Paul repeat the same defense in 2 Corinthians 11 and 12?
Paul repeats the same defense three times in the space of a chapter. The Holy Spirit led him to say the same thing repeatedly, and Scripture uses such repetition for emphasis, so believers should take note. This threefold repetition emphasizes his defense of his authority against constant resistance.
Les explains that in 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, Paul repeats the same defense three times within a short span. In chapter 12:11, Paul says he became a fool in glorying because the Corinthians compelled him; their constant resistance to his authority forced him to prove it again. He notes he should have been commended by them and is not behind the chiefest apostles—Peter, James, and John—the inner sanctum of the twelve, but is even ahead of them. Going back to chapter 11:5, the Holy Spirit led Paul to state the same thing three times in the space of a chapter. Les emphasizes that when Scripture repeats something several times in a short span, it is for emphasis, and we better take note.
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
More Questions
What does it mean when Scripture repeats the same thing several times in a short span?
Three times within the space of one chapter the Holy Spirit led Paul to say the same thing (2 Corinthians 11:5 and 12:11 among them), and when Scripture repeats something several times in a rather short span it is there for emphasis and we had better take note of it.
How many times did the Holy Spirit lead Paul to say the same thing in the space of a chapter?
The Holy Spirit led Paul to say the same thing three times within the space of a chapter in 2 Corinthians 11-12.
Why does the Holy Spirit repeat the same statements in Scripture?
The Holy Spirit, by inspiration, over and over repeats things that need to be repeated, as seen in Paul twice stating he was not behind the chiefest apostles in two chapters.