And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:12-14)
Here Paul the Apostle defends himself and the Corinthian Christians against unnamed and, according to Paul, unauthorized missionaries. Apparently they preached powerfully, denigrated Paul’s ministry, and took advantage of the church at Corinth. In contrast Paul makes it clear that, although his preaching may not have been very powerful, his ministry is true, and he takes advantage of no one. In fact he puts himself at a disadvantage in order to bless the brothers and sisters in Christ.
Paul compares the tactics of these false apostles and deceitful workmen to the tactics of Satan, who uses deceit in order to appear as an “angel of light.”
This puts me in a mood of critical self-reflection. When have I cared more about my appearing to be righteous than my actually doing works of mercy, justice, and love?
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