2 Corinthians 11:15

Contextual Overview

⁵ I don't think that those "super apostles" are any better than I am. ⁵ I think that I am not in the least inferior to these superlative apostles. ⁵ I suppose that I was not behynde ye chefe apostles. ⁵ For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles. ⁵ For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. ⁵ I do not think that those "great apostles" are any better than I am. ⁵ For I reckon that I am not a bit behind the very chiefest apostles. ⁵ For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very greatest apostles. ⁵ Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. ⁵ For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

no: 2 Kings 5:13, 1 Corinthians 9:11

his: 2 Corinthians 11:13, Acts 13:10, Ephesians 6:12, Revelation 9:11, Revelation 13:2, Revelation 13:14, Revelation 19:19-21, Revelation 20:2, Revelation 20:3, Revelation 20:7-10

the ministers: 2 Corinthians 11:23, 2 Corinthians 3:9

whose: Isaiah 9:14, Isaiah 9:15, Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 23:14, Jeremiah 23:15, Jeremiah 28:15-17, Jeremiah 29:32, Ezekiel 13:10-15, Ezekiel 13:22, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 7:16, Galatians 1:8, Galatians 1:9, Philippians 3:19, 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12, 2 Peter 2:3, 2 Peter 2:13-22, Jude 1:4, Jude 1:10 -13

Reciprocal: Proverbs 18:21 - Death Matthew 16:23 - Get 2 Thessalonians 2:10 - deceivableness

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Therefore it is no great thing,.... It is no strange and wonderful thing; it may easily be given into; no man need to make any doubt of it, or hesitate concerning it, since the devil himself, who is an angel of darkness, is transformed into an angel of light:

if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; not that they really are transformed into such ministers, but they appear and look like such; they are not really, but "as the ministers of righteousness"; they put on the form and air of faithful upright ministers of the word, and would be thought to be such; they mimic Gospel preachers, who assert the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, though they most miserably corrupt it, and blend it with something of their own; and which they endeavour to palliate, and cover from the sight of men; and especially they set up themselves as such, by pretending to be great friends to holiness and good works, which they press with much vehemence, and oppose to the doctrines of grace, with all their might and main; in doing which, they greatly serve their master, whose ministers they are; and who well knows that the doctrine of works may do much prejudice to the Gospel interest, and churches of Christ, but will never convert nor save one soul: a dreadful character these men have, for though they would pass for ministers of righteousness, friends to holiness, and men zealous of good works, they are no other than ministers of Satan, doing his work, serving his interest, and propagating his kingdom, which is a kingdom of darkness:

whose end shall be according to their works; for either God will make public examples of them in this world, or if they are not made manifest here, though they may deceive themselves and others, they cannot deceive God; he will take off the mask, their hypocrisy shall be detected, their evil works will be laid open, and they will be judged according to them, and condemned for them to everlasting punishment.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Therefore it is no great thing ... - It is not to be deemed surprising. You are not to wonder if people of the basest, blackest character put on the appearance of the greatest sanctity, and even become eminent as professed preachers of righteousness.

Whose end shall be ... - Whose final destiny. Their doom in eternity shall not be according to their fair professions and plausible pretences, for they cannot deceive God; but shall be according to their real character, and their works. Their work is a work of deception, and they shall be judged according to that. What revelations there will be in the day of judgment, when all impostors shall be unmasked, and when all hypocrites and deceivers shall be seen in their true colors! And how desirable is it that there should be such a day to disclose all beings in their true character, and forever to remove imposture and delusion from the universe!

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 15. Whose end shall be according to their works. — A bad way leads to a bad end. The way of sin is the way to hell.