“Satan’s Disguise – An Angel of Light” (2 Corinthians 11:1-21) The Lastest Blessed Hope Podcast Episode In Our Deep Dive Into 2 Corinthians

Episode Synopsis:

After completing the first 9 chapters of the letter we know as 2 Corinthians, and even as he was preparing to leave Macedonia and head south to Corinth, Paul received word from Corinth that a group of men whom he describes as false teachers and false apostles were wreaking havoc in the church. Not good news, and certainly a cause for immediate action. In Paul’s estimation, these men were the agents of Satan who deceitfully disguises himself as an angel of light. As his agents, these men were able to do their master’s bidding, disguising themselves as servants of righteousness, taking credit for the work done by Paul, and all the while undermining his efforts and seeking to divide Paul from the church he had founded through the proclamation of the apostolic gospel of Christ crucified.

Although criticizing Paul’s speaking abilities and less than imposing presence, their real crime was introducing a false gospel, another Jesus, and another Holy Spirit–a heretical departure from what Paul had proclaimed. The true gospel (which had been revealed to Paul by the Lord himself), the true Jesus (who had appeared to Paul and commissioned him to his apostolic office as the apostle to the Gentiles), and the true Holy Spirit (who gave life to Paul’s preaching of Christ and him crucified) were replaced by counterfeits. The goal of the false teachers was to undermine Paul’s office and authority so that they would have a free hand to teach their distorted gospel, false Jesus, and false Holy Spirit while displacing Paul’s role in Corinth. These men and their names, as well as the specifics of their false gospel have been lost to history, but Paul’s warnings to the Corinthians and rebuke of these false teachers stands across time.

Satan never seems to weary of distorting the gospel and creating false doctrine just as he did in Corinth. He was a liar from the beginning and remains so to this day. In warning the Corinthians of his efforts, Paul is warning us. By identifying a false gospel, a false Jesus, and a false Holy Spirit, Paul is warning Christians of the methods used by Satan and his minions to disguise his intentions and his agents. No doubt these men were refined orators, addressed the issues of life in a way which appealed to Greco-Roman pagans, and they had been welcomed in the congregation. But Paul exposes their master, their false teaching, and their methods. How could the Corinthians allow themselves to be taken in by such men?

Show Notes:

It was a beautiful Southern California day when I recorded this episode. This meant countless airplanes were out and about. But the real issue was a “murder” of crows (the formal name for a flock of crows, which I wanted to murder) took up residence in the trees in my front yard. I stopped recording and chased them off several times (old men are good at chasing things out of their yards), but the crows returned again and again. They were working in concert with the airplanes to make this recording session difficult. I did edit all the noise nuisances out, but in a couple of places you might be able to tell where.

We’ve had much rain, so after a brief warm spell, thinking it was spring everything is blooming early. Allergies are still playing havoc with my voice. Sorry.

Just a couple of episodes left in 2 Corinthians and then Romans is up next (mid to late Spring)

Recommended Links:

George Whitefield on Satan’s Scheme

Monergism’s Guide to False Teachers

Sam Storms on The Devil Disguised and Those Who Serve Him

R. C. Sproul audio series, The Angel of Light

Series Bibliography:

Frank Thielman, Paul, The Apostle of Grace. This is an outstanding biography of Paul. Expensive but well worth it. Reviewers claim it replaces Bruce’s volume, but they really are two different books. I would own both!

F. F. Bruce, Paul: The Apostle of the Heart Set Free. A bit dated but still remains a useful biographical study of Paul’s life and times

Douglas J. Moo, A Theology of Paul and His Letters (2021). A helpful big picture survey of Paul’s theology and epistles

Guy P. Waters, The Life and Theology of Paul (DVD series). A great introduction. There is also a print edition

Commentaries:

Mark Seifrid, The Second Letter to the Corinthians. This would be my first choice for an in-depth commentary

Colin Kruse, 2 Corinthians (Tyndale). This is the best choice for most readers

Paul Barnett, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. This one is also very good

Riddleblog Resources: Pauline Studies and Resources

Music:

(Shutterstock): Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op 92m, second movement, Allegretto (A minor)