ANOTHER JESUS-A DIFFERENT SPIRIT-ANOTHER GOSPEL

ANOTHER JESUS-A DIFFERENT SPIRIT-ANOTHER GOSPEL

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! (2 Corinthians 11:4)

If he who comes - The false apostles came into the Corinthian church from the outside—just as Satan did into the Garden. Likely they were Palestinian Jews (2 Corinthians 11: 22; Acts 6:1) who allegedly sought to bring the Corinthians under the sway of the Jerusalem church. They were in a sense Judaizers, seeking to impose Jewish customs on the Corinthians. Unlike the Judaizers who plagued the Galatian churches (Galatians 5:2), however, the false apostles at Corinth apparently did not insist that the Corinthians be circumcised. Nor did they practice a rigid legalism; in fact, they apparently encouraged licentiousness (2 Corinthians 12:21). Their fascination with rhetoric and oratory (2 Corinthians 10:10) suggests they had been influenced by Greek culture and philosophy. They claimed (falsely, Acts 15:24) to represent the Jerusalem church, even possessing letters of commendation (2 Corinthians 3:1). Claiming to be the most eminent of apostles (2 Corinthians 11: 5), they scorned Paul’s apostolic claims. Though their teaching may have differed from the Galatian Judaizers, it was just as deadly.

Another Jesus … a different spirit … a different gospel - Despite their vicious attacks on him, Paul’s quarrel with the false apostles was not personal, but doctrinal. He could tolerate those hostile to him, as long as they preached the gospel of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:15–18). Those who adulterated the true gospel, however, received Paul’s strongest condemnation (Galatians 1:6–9). Though the precise details of what the false apostles taught are unknown and don’t matter, they preached “another Jesus” and “a different spirit,” which added up to “a different gospel.”

You may well put up with it - Paul’s fear that the Corinthians would embrace the damning lies of the false apostles prompted his jealous concern for them (2 Corinthians 11:2-3).