What does 2 Corinthians 11:5 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The "eminent apostles" were probably the false apostles who claimed to be eminent rather than the other genuine apostles. ^[1] The context supports this interpretation as does the rare term translated "eminent" (NASB, Gr. huperlian apostolon, lit. "exceedingly beyond apostles"). It is perhaps a term more appropriate to phonies claiming apostleship than to genuine apostles. However this term may have been one that Paul"s critics used to describe the Twelve in contrast to Paul (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:11-12). ^[2] By elevating the Twelve exceedingly they effectively denigrated the apostle to the Gentiles. Whichever view is correct the meaning is clear. Paul"s foes were claiming that he was an inferior apostle. [source][source]

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This is the third reason the readers should bear with Paul ( 2 Corinthians 11:1). He claimed that he was not inferior to these "super-apostles."[source]

Context Summary

As the Bridegroom's friend, Paul was eager to bring the Corinthian church to the Bridegroom of souls. But false teachers disturbed the purity and simplicity of their faith, as in Eden Satan perverted Eve. There would have been excuse if these false teachers had given his converts another and a better Savior or a greater Pentecost; but since these were impossible, he was well able to hold his ground, even though they were pre-eminent apostles in their own estimation. Paul was very conscious of the rudeness of his speech, of which apparently he had many reminders, but he was equally conscious of the direct knowledge that God had imparted to him.

He acknowledges that he had not taken their pecuniary support, which in itself was quite legitimate; but he altogether denies the inference which his enemies drew, that therefore he admitted his inferiority to the other servants of the Cross. He answers that insinuation by saying that he expressly refrained from accepting gifts, because of his desire to rob his critics of their argument that he was evangelizing the world for the purpose of making money. That they should make such wanton suggestions proved that they were Satan's emissaries. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2Corinthians 11

¹  Out of his jealousy over the Corinthians, he enters into a forced commendation of himself,
⁵  of his equality with the chief apostles,
⁷  of his preaching the gospel to them freely, and without any charge to them;
¹³  showing that he was not inferior to those deceitful workers in any legal prerogative;
²³  and in the service of Christ, and in all kinds of sufferings for his ministry, far superior