Who is Paul talking about in 2 Corinthians 11:22?
The twelve apostles in Jerusalem—Hebrews, Israelites, and Abraham’s seed—are the ones in view. Judaizers used these men to undermine Paul, claiming he never was with Peter or spent three years with Jesus. Paul answers that he is not behind the chiefest apostles and is more abundant in labors.
Les teaches that 2 Corinthians 11:22 follows Paul’s insistence that he was not one whit behind the very chiefest apostles, and Peter was the chiefest apostle. Les supposes Paul is talking about the twelve back in Jerusalem. The Judaizers were telling Paul’s Gentile people that he was never with Peter and never spent three years with Jesus, asking how they could listen to him. Paul responds: Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. He also asks, Are they ministers of Christ? and says he speaks as a fool, yet by the Spirit he writes, I am more. Les notes this could sound braggadocious, but Paul knows he is inspired to say he was more than those in Jerusalem—more in labor, more abundant.
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
More Questions
What does 2 Corinthians 11:22 say about Paul's equality with the other apostles?
In 2 Corinthians 11:22, Paul claims equality with Peter and the eleven in being Hebrews, Israelites, and descendants of Abraham, so they had no advantage over him in these bragging rights.
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.