Four Topics in Second Corinthians 11:23-12:10 and Paul’s False Apostle Controversy

Four Topics in Second Corinthians 11:23-12:10 and Paul’s False Apostle Controversy Chulhong Kim (Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary) In the middle of the controversy against his opponents, reaching its climax in 2 Cor 11:13, where he labels them ‘false apostles’ and subsequently ‘servants of Satan,’ Paul unexpectedly turns our attention to his sufferings(2 Cor 11:23–30), and then to his escape from officers of King Aretas(2 Cor 11:31–33), who tracked him down as far as Damascus, a city located outside the border of Nabatean Kingdom at the time. Right after that episode, in 12:1–10, he mentions his having been taken up to the third heaven and suffering from the thorn in his flesh. What does Paul have in mind when he mentions four seemingly unrelated topics? What would have been the integrating motive behind them, especially in relation to his debate against Corinthian opponents in 2 Corinthians? This study attempts to answer these questions by reinterpreting the four topics, which are his catalogue of sufferings, his escape from Damascus, his trip to the third heaven, and finally, the physical problems ensuing from it, in the context of false prophet controversies in the Old Testament. Placing Paul’'s false apostle controversy in the context of the Old Testament false prophet traditions gives us an opportunity to discover a consistent thrust running through all of the four episodes. False apostle controversy is a dynamic dimension of 2 Corinthians, even though it is often hidden from its ordinary occasional readers. However, it certainly provides decisive clues by which we may view the letter as an integrated whole. The seemingly loosely-related four themes are in fact quite closely interrelated. The unifying motive lying behind these issues is the controversy surrounding false apostles, prominent in the Old and New Testament alike. Paul’s defense of his apostleship is best framed against the Old Testament background that true prophets persevere through suffering, are rescued from harm by God himself, receive ecstatic visions, and experience weakness not as a divine punishment but as a gift.