September 2026

The New Testament contains several warnings against false teachers in Christian communities. Jesus Himself warned the disciples about this same thing (Matt. 7:15–20). The apostles also called attention to it (Gal. 1:6–9, 1 Tim. 6:3–5, 2 Pet. 2:1–3).

Read 2 Corinthians 11:1–15. How does Paul depict the challenges that he is facing with these false teachers?

Yesterday, we saw that Paul and his fellow workers exerted their ministries as a spiritual warfare, and did so using God’s weapons. Today, we will see that false teachers act according to human criteria. They boast inappropriately. In turn, Paul boasts only in the Lord. As he wrote: “But ‘he who glories, let him glory in the Lord’ ” (2 Cor. 10:17, NKJV).

Read 2 Corinthians 10:13–17. How can an atmosphere of competitiveness harm the preaching of the gospel?

Read 2 Corinthians 10:1–11. Paul’s meekness in his dealings with the Corinthians was sometimes confused with weakness. What words or phrases in this passage reveal Paul’s courage in dealing with the problem of false teachers in Corinth?

Read for This Week’s Study

2 Cor. 10:1–17; Jer. 9:24; 2 Cor. 11:1–15, 22–28; 2 Cor. 12:20, 21; 2 Cor. 13:5.

Memory Text:

Read Ellen G. White, “A Liberal Church,” pp. 335–345, in The Acts of the Apostles.

We have seen that Paul encourages the members in Corinth to get involved in a collection for the impoverished churches in Judea. One of his purposes is to kindle a sense of unity. He wants them to participate, to be part of the mission. He wants to show that the Gentile churches are part of the same family of God as are the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. That is, these people, who were once their opponents, are now, indeed, fellow members with them in God’s new covenant remnant.

Read 2 Corinthians 8:1–5. What possible reason could have been behind the Macedonians’ willingness to give their offerings with such generosity?

The positive attitude of the Macedonians can be seen in several ways.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:7. What does this passage say about the act of offering?

God’s decision to save the world took place even before the world fell into sin. Christ’s coming to die for us was part of an ancient plan (Rev. 13:8). God was not caught by surprise. He had made plans to give Himself through Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, planning is an essential theological principle that concerns the act of giving. This can be seen in at least two ways:

Read 2 Corinthians 8:1, 5 and 2 Corinthians 9:7, 9, 13, 15. What is the central message of these passages?

The context of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 has to do with Paul’s encouraging members in Corinth to complete a fundraiser for the impoverished churches in Judea. Apparently, they had already committed to doing that (2 Cor. 8:10, 11; 2 Cor. 9:5; see also 1 Cor. 16:1–4), but relationship issues between them and Paul had complicated things. After dealing with these issues (2 Corinthians 1–7), Paul now turns to the conclusion of that task (2 Corinthians 8–9).