Paul was falsely accused of being a deceiver because his opponents, especially the Judaizing Jews, refused to recognize his apostleship without the outward credentials of the Twelve.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul was constantly under attack because he could not claim to have walked with Jesus for three years like Peter, James, and John, and he had no letters of commendation. His critics therefore called him an imposter and a heretic who had made up his message. Scripture itself records that Paul was counted "as deceivers, and yet true" (2 Corinthians 6:8).
2 Corinthians 6:8 — This verse explicitly mentions 'deceivers' and shows Paul was regarded as one while still being true.
2 Corinthians 10:10 — This verse quotes the actual criticism Paul faced about his letters being weighty but his bodily presence weak and speech contemptible.
The Bible records that Paul was counted as a deceiver. In 2 Corinthians 6:8, Paul says he ministers "by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true." The same letter reveals the form the accusations took: "For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible" (2 Corinthians 10:10). In 2 Corinthians 12:11, Paul tells the Corinthians, "I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you." This shows that those he had brought to faith were not giving him proper recognition, forcing him to defend his apostleship against their doubts.
Les Feldick repeatedly stresses that Paul was constantly false accused and had to defend his apostleship in almost every letter. According to Les, the accusation that Paul was an imposter came especially from the Judaizing Jews, who said he had drummed up his message himself, since he had no badge of authority and no letters of commendation. They also pointed out that Paul could not claim to have walked with Jesus for three years like Peter, James, and John. Les explains that because Paul's revelations came directly from the risen Lord rather than through the Twelve, his opponents charged him with heresy and imposture. Yet Paul would not back down. He insisted, "I am the apostle of the Gentiles" and "I magnify mine office," and he maintained that the doctrines of grace were revealed to him alone. Paul also tried to live blamelessly so that no one could truthfully accuse him.
Les says Paul was under constant attack, especially from the Judaizing Jews, who claimed that he was an imposter and had made it all up himself. Even believers in Corinth, the very people Paul had brought out of paganism, turned against him and refused to credit him as a rightful apostle. Rumors about him also circulated widely, and Paul heard just about everything that was said.
Les explains that Paul could not say what Peter, James, and John could say—that he had ministered with Christ for three years. He had no letters of commendation and no badge of authority. So the accusation was essentially, "Who are you? Who do you think you are?" This is why Paul continually had to defend his apostleship and insist that he had received his revelations directly from God.
Paul did not shrink back from the accusations. He defended his apostleship by declaring that God had revealed the great doctrines of grace to him and him alone, and he refused to back down from being God's man for the Gentile world. He also insisted that he had not come with false teaching or half-truths. Additionally, Paul was careful not to give offense in anything, so that no one who wished to criticize him could do so truthfully.
In 2 Corinthians 6:8, Paul says he serves "by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true." In 2 Corinthians 10:10, his critics are quoted as saying his letters are weighty but his physical presence is weak and his speech contemptible. In 2 Corinthians 12:11, Paul tells the Corinthians that they had forced him to boast in his own defense because they ought to have commended him.
What Does 'Unequally Yoked' Really Mean? 2 Corinthians 6 Explained
Hello, and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Constant False Accusation
Les teaches that Paul was constantly falsely accused and had to defend his apostleship, while also taking care not to give anyone a truthful basis for accusation.
Questioned Apostleship
Les explains that the Corinthians accused Paul of not being a rightful apostle because he lacked letters of commendation and could not claim to have walked with Christ like Peter.
Direct Revelation of Grace
Les shows Paul claiming that the doctrines of grace were revealed to him alone, making him the apostle of the Gentiles—a role he refused to yield.
Imposter Accusation from Judaizers
Les says the Judaizing Jews attacked Paul as an imposter who had made up his message, since he had no badge of authority and did not walk with Jesus.
No False Teaching
Les shows Paul defending himself by insisting that he did not come with corruption, half-truths, or an adulterated message.
Rumors and Critics
Les notes that Paul heard every rumor, including the mockery that his letters were terrifying while his bodily presence was weak.
Heresy and Imposter Charge
Les states that Paul was accused of heresy and being an imposter because he had not walked with Jesus like the Twelve, yet Paul kept insisting, "I AM an apostle."
2 Corinthians 6:8: By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
Paul lists being treated as a deceiver among the hardships that mark his apostolic ministry.
2 Corinthians 10:9: That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
Paul addresses the accusation that his letters were intimidating and harsh.
2 Corinthians 10:10: For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
This quotes the critics' complaint that Paul's outward appearance did not match the force of his letters.
2 Corinthians 12:11: 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.
Paul says the Corinthians forced him to boast in defense of his apostleship because they had failed to commend him.
No. The accusation was false. Paul's opponents, especially the Judaizing Jews, called him an imposter because he lacked the outward credentials of the Twelve. Scripture says he was "as deceivers, and yet true" (2 Corinthians 6:8), showing that he was falsely labeled while remaining genuine.
According to 2 Corinthians 10:10, they said, "his letters are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." Les Feldick notes that Paul heard these rumors and quotes them as evidence of the constant false accusation he faced.
Because he was under constant attack from those who said he was not a rightful apostle. He had no letters of commendation and could not claim to have walked with Jesus for three years like Peter, James, and John. Les teaches that Paul therefore had to repeatedly insist that he was an apostle and that the gospel of grace was revealed directly to him.
Watch the Teaching: What Does 'Unequally Yoked' Really Mean? 2 Corinthians 6 Explained