2 Corinthians 11:20

For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

2 Corinthians 11:20 (KJV)

Context

In his second letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul both defends his apostleship and warns the church about false teachers who had infiltrated the community. He writes to a congregation already aware of the cost of discipleship and willing to endure suffering at the hands of others within the body of believers.

Meaning

The verse lists five specific abuses the Corinthians tolerated: being brought into bondage (enslavement or control), being devoured (having possessions consumed), being taken advantage of (financial exploitation), being treated with arrogance (the false teachers exalting themselves), and being struck on the face (public insult and humiliation). The word “suffer” means to bear with or endure patiently, but here it is directed toward harmful behavior. The Corinthians were not merely tolerating minor differences; they were submitting to oppressive, exploitative leadership.

Paul’s tone is one of sarcastic rebuke, highlighting the absurdity of their tolerance. If they could bear such treatment from these false apostles, they could certainly bear his own reasonable self-defense and teaching. The core warning concerns false apostles who exploit believers for personal gain or authority. These impostors seek to control resources, take advantage of the church’s generosity, and boast about their own accomplishments, wisdom, or status in order to elevate themselves above the true teachings of Christ. Their deceptive actions are designed to draw believers into dependence on the false teacher rather than on the gospel.

Biblical connections

While the passage emphasizes spiritual deception, it does not explicitly describe physical violence against believers; the primary concern remains the spiritual harm caused by false teaching. Nevertheless, the reference to being “smite… on the face” reminds readers that such teachers may also resort to harsh treatment, reinforcing the need for vigilance.

Application

Paul therefore exhorts the Corinthians to recognize these harmful actions, to stay alert to any influence that seeks to dominate, exploit, or exalt itself, and to remain steadfast in the true apostolic message. By doing so, the church can protect itself from both spiritual and relational abuse and continue to bear the suffering that Christ has called them to endure.