FALSE PROPHETS & APOSTLES                      2 Corinthians 11:3-4; 11:13-15

I. A DISTINCTION BETWEEN GENUINE AND FALSE APOSTLES

A. False apostles have a wrong message  v. 4

1. a substitute Jesus--  a rival (Greek word allos meaning another of the same kind)  The word anti-christ comes from this idea: anti (in place of) Christ.

2. a different spirit--  from the Greek word hetero meaning another of a different kind/nature we get our English word heterodox.  Compare 1 John 4:1-2

3. a different gospel--  heteros  Compare Galatians 1:6-8

B. False apostles have a wrong authority  v. 13

apostolos is a messenger sent forth by the authority of another.  He is bound to relay the message only in the manner and substance in which it was given.  His authority is not in himself but in the sender.  These false apostles represent themselves because their message is not what God gave them.  Therefore they have the wrong authority.

II.        A DESCRIPTION OF FALSE APOSTLES  vv. 13‑15

A.        False apostles are energetic--   The Greek word ergon from which we get our word energy.

B.         False apostles are deceitful--   The Greek word dolos means a lure or snare.  Compare Deuteronomy 18:20-22

C.        False apostles are disguised--  

1.         There is an inward lack of grace--  servants (douloi) of Satan

2.         There is an outward imitation-- metaschematizo is transformation of the outward appearance (schema means outward while its synonym morphe [form] means essence

as a minister of righteousness--    diakonos means servant

Note:  "Satan does not come to us as Satan; neither does sin present itself as sin, but in the guise of virtue; and teachers of error set themselves as special advocates of truth."   Hodge

III.      THE DOOM OF FALSE APOSTLES  v. 15