¹²But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. ¹³For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

Yes, there are times when it is entirely appropriate and responsible to defend oneself in ministry. Paul provides an example of this, so we should study this section carefully. His defense comes not from a fragile ego but from knowing exactly who he is and his calling from God. He was called as an apostle to the Gentiles, and as part of that he preached the gospel in Corinth and planted the church there. That comes with the responsibility for following up on the behavior and teaching of the church, even after leaving them. But as an apostle, his role was much more, for he spoke and wrote with authority from God.

The problems there in Corinth had escalated, though, to the point where some people were not just being sectarian but challenging his apostolic relationship to them. To gain their own following—in fact, to draw all the Corinthian Christians after themselves—they were “disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” What this looked like we can only conjecture. But through their charismatic personalities, their forceful speech and persuasive philosophies, they had gained great influence. Paul will have none of that. The time for apostolic assertion has come!

His assessment has led him to take definitive action against those charlatans. They apparently thought Paul would not try to stop them, but did they ever make a wrong calculation. Paul cuts right to the point so that he can cut off all possibility of them continuing their charade. He doesn’t pull his punches. They are “false apostles,” “deceitful workers.” Yes, they may look and act like apostles, but Paul emphatically proclaims his judgment: They are not apostles! In fact, he plainly exposes them as servants of Satan.

The reality we learn here is that false teachers, even today, can look and play the part of godly, spiritual individuals, but at their core they are driven by ego, self-glory, and material gain. They are like demons passing themselves off as angels of God. At times all polite, civil discourse must be put aside, and such people must be exposed and rebuked in the harshest terms.

Search me, O Lord, and see if there be any wicked, deceitful way in me. Uncover any façade in my life that I might turn from deception to authenticity.