What is Paul defending in 2 Corinthians 12:11?
Paul was defending his apostleship and authority as the apostle of the Gentiles. He had been compelled to glory because opponents questioned him, but he affirmed he was in nothing behind the chiefest apostles, though he was nothing in himself.
Les explains that in 2 Corinthians 12:11 Paul is again defending that apostleship. He is trying to show his authority as the apostle of the Gentiles. The Corinthians had compelled him to glory by putting him down and saying Peter had more authority, Peter was the big wheel in Jerusalem, or that they went by what Jesus said, or by Apollos. Paul says he should have been commended by them because he brought them out of pagan darkness, not Peter or Apollos. He says in nothing is he behind the very chiefest apostles, though in humility he says he is nothing. His authority had become uppermost; the twelve were now behind him because God had turned from Israel to the whole human race, part of the revelation of the mystery hid in God and now revealed through this man. Paul was up against opposition, with all in Asia turned against him.
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
More Questions
Why does Paul defend his apostleship in 2 Corinthians 12?
In 2 Corinthians 12:11 Paul is again defending his apostleship and trying to show his authority as the apostle of the Gentiles.
Who are the 'very chiefest apostles' Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 12:11?
The 'very chiefest apostles' Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 12:11 are Peter, James, and John.