Deceitful workmen are the false apostles at their work.
Such men are false apostles,
deceitful workmen,
disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
His servants also disguise themselves
as servants of righteousness.
Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Paul names the labor, not only the title. They are workmen. The work is deceit. They disguise themselves as apostles of Christ, and as servants of righteousness. The church sees activity and a righteous face. Paul says the end will correspond to the deeds. A busy worker can still be a false apostle.
- Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. These men are his servants in the same costume.
- The disguise is double. Apostles of Christ, and servants of righteousness. Office and character are both worn.
- False teachers cover the teaching. Deceitful workmen cover the labor that carries it.
Do not bless a work because it looks like ministry. Deceit is the work. The end matches the deeds.
They are workmen.
The work is deceit.
They dress as servants of righteousness.
Their end matches their deeds.
- Deceitful workmen is Paul’s second name for the same men.
- The disguise is as apostles of Christ and as servants of righteousness.
- Work is not proof. Deceit can wear a worker’s clothes.
- Satan’s servants use the same method he uses.
- The verdict is the end, according to their deeds.
- Ephesus is praised for testing men who call themselves apostles and are not.
- The Labor – Workmen, not idle talkers only.
- The Deceit – The work itself is false.
- The Costume – Apostles of Christ, servants of righteousness.
- The Master – Servants of the one who wears light.
- The Test – Another Jesus, a different gospel.
- The End – According to their deeds.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 – “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
- 2 Corinthians 11:4 – “If someone comes and proclaims another Jesus… or if you accept a different gospel… you put up with it readily enough.”
- Revelation 2:2 – “You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.”
- Matthew 7:22-23 – “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
His servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.
Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.
A busy worker can still be a deceitful workman. Do not bless the costume. The end matches the deeds.
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