About three months ago, as I was studying the book of 2 Corinthians, I couldn’t help but notice the stark differences between Paul’s experiences as a true apostle and what we see in today’s self-proclaimed apostles.
It was this realization that sparked the idea to write an article using this book to examine those who claim apostleship today. Given that we’ve already explored the broader question of whether apostles still exist in the last article, I felt it was fitting to follow up with this article where we will use Paul’s experiences to reveal what true apostleship looks like, and how far removed it is from what we are witnessing today.
To give you a little more context, the Corinthian church faced a serious challenge with false apostles who had infiltrated it. These men were leading the Corinthians astray and even causing them to undermine Paul’s apostleship. So Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is, in part, a defense of his apostleship and an exposé of the false apostles who were manipulating and exploiting the church.
Thanks to Paul’s defense, as believers, we are able to gain a clear picture of what true apostleship looks like. Therefore, in this article, we will explore that contrast and how it speaks to the phenomenon of false apostles today.
1. Faithfulness to the Gospel
Paul refused to use any deceit or manipulation to gain followers or support. In 2 Corinthians 4:2, he declares, “We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.”
Paul’s ministry was marked by integrity to the Gospel. He sought to present the message of salvation in its purest form, without resorting to embellishment, clever speech, or flattery. Neither did he dilute its message to make it more palatable to his listeners. He understood that the power of the Gospel did not rest in human wisdom but in the simple truth of Christ’s death and resurrection.
In 1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul says, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” These words reflect Paul’s unwavering faithfulness to the Gospel. He trusted in the transformative power of Christ crucified to bring salvation and growth to those who believed.
But while Paul was careful to only preach the true Gospel, he was deeply concerned for the Corinthians because of false apostles. These impostors presented a counterfeit gospel, and Paul feared that the believers in Corinth were being led astray. He expresses this concern in 2 Corinthians 11, warning them:
"But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough" (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
Paul’s warning reveals his alarm at how easily the Corinthians were tolerating false teaching. These false apostles presented “another Jesus”; a version of Christ that did not align with the true Gospel. And they preached a different spirit and a distorted message of salvation. Thus, leading the Corinthians away from the simple, yet life-changing truth of Christ and Him crucified.
False Apostles Today:
Similar to the false apostles of Paul’s day, many self-proclaimed apostles today preach “a different Jesus” or a “different gospel.” Often, they emphasize health, wealth, and prosperity rather than repentance, faith, and submission to the Lordship of Christ. They twist the Gospel to fit their agenda by promising material blessings and a life free from hardship.
Moreover, they insist on rituals and practices that undermine the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. These teachers claim that Christ’s sacrifice was not enough on its own, but merely a starting point. According to them, you must now follow their prescribed rituals and strange practices to truly break free from poverty, sickness, or suffering.
Their teachings distort the Gospel and make a mockery of the finished work of Christ (John 19:30). The salvation Christ accomplished is complete and sufficient for all who believe. Thus, bringing forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the hope of eternal life.
Yet, these false apostles promote a different gospel that appeals to fleshly desires. Hence, leading many astray with the false promise that suffering can be avoided if one performs certain acts of faith or gives generously to their ministries. Their counterfeit gospels, though enticing, ultimately leads to disillusionment and spiritual harm.
To learn more about what the Bible says about the Gospel check out our blog post on What is the Message of the Gospel?
2. Proclaiming Christ, Not Himself
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul declares, “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake“. His message was clear: Jesus is Lord, and Paul was merely a servant, entrusted with delivering the Good News.
In verse 7, he also writes, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Paul recognized that he was simply a vessel and that any power or success in his ministry came from God, not himself. His ministry was never about self-promotion or gaining influence but about making Christ known and glorifying Him as Lord overall.
In fact, Paul along with the other apostles, often referred to themselves as bondservants or slaves of Christ (Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10). Though entrusted with great responsibility over the church, they did not see themselves as rulers or overlords. But as servants bound to Christ in selfless service to others for the sake of the Gospel. They exercised their authority in submission to Christ seeking to bring glory only to Him.
This, however, stands in stark contrast to the false apostles in Corinth who were boastful about their supposed authority. We see this as Paul highlights his reluctance to boast, even though he had far more reason to do so than these impostors.
He says, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying” (2 Corinthians 11:30-31). Unlike the false apostles who glorified themselves, Paul boasted in his weaknesses. He recognized that it was through his frailty and limitations that the power of Christ was most clearly revealed (2 Corinthians 12:9).
False Apostles Today:
In the same way, false apostles today are marked by self-promotion. Their focus is on elevating themselves and building their platforms, rather than humbly serving and pointing people to Christ. Many false apostles today draw attention to their “special anointing” or grace” as a way to attract and demand loyalty from their followers. They go on and on about how they are spiritually superior to the rest of us “ordinary” Christians. Often claiming a higher level of spiritual authority that supposedly sets them apart.
Because of this supposed superiority, they teach that believers must come under their “apostolic covering” in order to receive protection and blessings. Hence, positioning themselves as mediators between God and their followers (1 Timothy 2:5). Instead of pointing people to the sufficiency of Christ, they make it seem as though their ministries are essential for accessing God’s favor. By distorting the Gospel in this way, false apostles place burdens on believers. Hence, leading them into spiritual bondage under human leaders rather than pointing them to the freedom found in Christ alone.
Additionally, these false apostles often boast about their supposed encounters with God where they receive new revelations that are not available to others. This pattern of boasting is completely contrary to the example set by Paul and the apostles of Christ, who consistently deflected attention away from themselves and towards Christ.
Related: Spiritual Authority: Is the Spiritual Father or Mother Doctrine Biblical?
3. Enduring Suffering for the Gospel
In 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, Paul writes,
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."
And in 2 Corinthians 6:4-5, Paul’s words reveal that, despite the adversity he faced, he took great pride in enduring suffering to preach the Gospel to the Corinthians. He says, “As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger.”
These words reveal Paul’s calling as an apostle was far from glamorous. His ministry was not marked by ease or comfort but by relentless challenges and danger. Nonetheless, his sufferings were not a sign of failure or weakness as the false apostles would have had the church at Corinth believe. But they were a testament to his deep devotion to the Gospel.
Though often dishonored, slandered, and seen as an imposter, he remained faithful. He was beaten and sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; materially poor, yet enriching others spiritually. His ministry was not characterized by worldly wealth or honor, but it instead brought rejection, pain, and poverty. Yet, Paul found joy and fulfillment in serving Christ, knowing that his suffering was part of his identification with Him.
When defending his apostleship against the false apostles in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Paul gives us a vivid picture his sufferings. He writes, “Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move…“
Paul’s perseverance through such persecution and affliction demonstrated that his calling as a messenger of Christ was genuine. True apostleship called for one to be willing to suffer for the Gospel, to bear the cross of Christ, and to proclaim the truth even at great personal cost.
False Apostles Today:
As I write this, I can’t help but wonder? Is there anyone who calls themselves an apostle today who would be willing to endure the kind of suffering Paul and the apostles of Christ underwent for the sake of the Gospel? Would any of these self-proclaimed “apostles”, who boast of their wealth and success, be willing to face beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, hunger, and persecution as Paul did?
No, I don’t think so. Modern-day “apostles” often present an image of success, wealth, and comfort. They claim that such benefits are evidence of God’s favor and anointing. In their teachings, suffering is often seen as a lack of faith or instigated by a curse, witchcraft, evil altar etc. rather than something to be endured for the sake of Christ.
They would much rather offer a message that promises an easy life free from adversity if one just follows their teachings or submits to their authority. They preach a false gospel that prioritizes personal gain over the self-sacrificial nature of the true Gospel.
4. Freely Preaching the Gospel
Paul’s approach to ministry was radically different from that of the false apostles. He was driven by a genuine desire to serve the Corinthian church. Even if it meant doing so at his own financial cost. In 2 Corinthians 11:7-9, he asks a rhetorical question that highlights this, saying,
"Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone..." (2 Corinthians 11:7-9).
Paul made it a point to preach the Gospel to the Corinthians free of charge even though he had every right as an apostle to receive financial support (1 Corinthians 9:4-12). Instead, he received support from other churches to make sure that his ministry to the Corinthians was not a burden.
Ironically, it was because of this very sacrifice that Paul’s apostleship was called into question by the false apostles. These false teachers, accused Paul of being an illegitimate apostle by arguing that if he were truly sent by God, he would have demanded financial support from the Corinthians like they did. They took Paul’s refusal to demand payment as a sign of weakness, lack of authority, and inferiority. Thus, using it to manipulate the Corinthians into doubting Paul’s apostolic credentials.
However, Paul’s willingness to sacrifice his own financial needs for the sake of the church should have served to expose the greed and manipulation of the false apostles. They were more concerned with enriching themselves than genuinely serving the spiritual needs of the church.
False Apostles Today:
The false apostles’ attempts to undermine Paul by questioning his refusal to demand for money shows the perversion of apostolic ministry that was taking place in Corinth. Unfortunately, we see the same perversion among today’s “apostles”. They equate spiritual authority with material gain and twist the nature of apostolic ministry into a means for profit.
They often preach a “pay-to-play” gospel, promising blessings or healings in exchange for financial contributions. Rather than humbling themselves to serve others, they elevate themselves and burden their followers financially. They live in luxury while their congregants struggle.
However, Paul serves as an example that a true apostle serves Christ and His people without exploiting them. Even if that means going without the financial support he is entitled to receive.
5. Having a Deep Affection and Concern for the Church
In 2 Corinthians 6:6, Paul reminds the Corinthians of the spirit in which he ministered to them: “in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love.” And even despite giving him all the reasons to be angry or to reprimand them harshly, he chose instead to respond with love and patience. This spirit of love is evident throughout the letter.
For example, in 2 Corinthians 2:4, Paul writes, “For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.” Here, Paul shows his deep affection and concern for the Corinthians.
Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 7:3, he states, “I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.” These verses reveal Paul’s commitment to the Corinthians was not simply out of duty but out of a sincere, heartfelt love.
His love and patient approach contrasted sharply with the false apostles who had infiltrated the Corinth. While Paul sought to build up the church with understanding and care, the false apostles took advantage of the Corinthians’ trust. Paul highlights the abusive nature of these impostors when he writes, “In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face” (2 Corinthians 11:20).
In this passage, Paul addresses the troubling reality. The Corinthian believers had become so enamored with these false apostles that they tolerated behavior that was clearly exploitative. The words “enslaves,” “exploits,” “takes advantage,” and “slaps you in the face” paint a vivid picture of the predatory tactics employed by these so-called apostles.
Paul’s rebuke reveals the absurdity of the Corinthians’ tolerance for such mistreatment. He exposes their willingness to accept abusive behavior which was not only troubling but damaging to their spiritual health. By allowing these false apostles to lead them, the Corinthians were compromising their own spiritual well-being and straying from the true gospel.
False Apostles Today:
Tragically, false apostles today continue to exploit and abuse their followers in ways eerily similar to what Paul condemned. In fact, the exploitation is often even more brazen in our modern context. Many self-proclaimed “apostles” claim their spiritual authority over others in manipulative and abusive ways.
It’s not uncommon to come across shocking videos online where they physically abuse their followers under the guise of exercising their gifting. There are disturbing clips showing “apostles” literally slapping, kicking, or pushing their congregants, claiming these acts are necessary for their deliverance or healing.
These displays of physical abuse are justified as acts of “power” or “anointing”. Yet, these acts are nothing more than manipulation and intimidation aimed at keeping vulnerable followers in bondage.
Beyond the physical abuse, many false apostles engage in spiritual and financial exploitation. They enslave their followers by wielding fear, deception, and false promises, all while enriching themselves and advancing their selfish agendas. Instead of humbly serving the flock and pointing them to Christ, they use their platforms to exercise control, manipulate emotions, and demand loyalty.
To make matters worse, this can even extend into sexual abuse. There have been tragic reports of false apostles using their “spiritual authority” to coerce and manipulate women into inappropriate and immoral relationships while claiming divine permission for their behavior.
These patterns of abuse and exploitation are similar to what Paul condemned centuries ago. Paul’s rebuke to the Corinthians for tolerating such mistreatment is a call for believers today to be discerning. When “apostles” or any spiritual leader engages in physical, financial, spiritual, or even sexual abuse, they reveal themselves to be false apostles. Nothing but wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Related: Why You Need to Know the Biblical Qualifications for Church Leaders
Conclusion
The contrast between Paul’s description of true apostleship in 2 Corinthians and the self-proclaimed apostles of today cannot be ignored. While Paul’s ministry was marked by humility, suffering, servanthood, and a relentless focus on the Gospel of Christ, today’s false apostles often prioritize self-promotion, wealth, and control.
Therefore, as believers, we must be discerning about who we follow and support. The marks of true apostleship, as demonstrated by Paul, serve as a standard which we can use to evaluate those who claim spiritual authority in the church.
As such, I hope that this article helps you to test those who claim to be Christ’s apostles today, just like the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:2. So let us be vigilant in holding fast to the true Gospel and follow those who, like Paul, point us to Christ and not themselves.
Apostles Stock photos by Vecteezy
