In II Corinthians 11, Paul seems very sensitive to a whispered charge in Corinth that he is not a real apostle - or, at least, not as good as the "super-apostles" making their way around the first-century world. In response, he unloads a barrage of criticism against them, as well as a strong defense of his own ministry.
Again, Paul indicates he may have a weakness when it comes to public speech (vs. 6) which these other traveling apostles have training in. Paul considers them to be actually "false apostles" (vs. 13) since they are deceitful, disguised, counterfeit.
Unlike the others, Paul did not require the Corinthians to support him during his initial ministry. Also, Paul's sufferings and trials support his claims to be an authentic apostle of Jesus Christ. Reading through the list of struggles is an impressive account of Paul's devotion and dedication to his cause. Rather than a boast, Paul lays his case out there like this in order to be able to present his ministry as one well-grounded and real.
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