SIMPLICITY IN CHRIST

2 Cor. 11:1-3

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Paul was afraid that the Corinthians might be corrupted from   
      the simplicity which is in Christ.
      1. People can be quickly corrupted from the true gospel. Gal.
         1:6
      2. People can be slowly corrupted from true service.
         a. The church at Ephesus was strong at first, but over
            time, it lost its first love. Rev. 2:2-5

I. PAUL WANTED THE CORINTHIANS TO BEAR WITH HIM IN A LITTLE FOLLY. 2 
   Cor. 11:1
   A. Verse 4 (2 Cor. 11:4) shows what Paul meant.
      1. Paul uses an exaggeration, which they might consider
         foolish, to show them what they are doing.
      2. They were not receiving him (Paul, who truly loved them),
         but they were receiving false teachers who were taking
         advantage of them. 2 Cor. 11:20
   B. Also, in verses 16-28 (2 Cor. 11:16-28) Paul wanted them to    
      bear with him in a little folly.
      1. He considered boasting of accomplishments as foolish, but to
         defend his apostleship, he begs them to suffer with him as  
         he mentions his service to Christ. 2 Cor. 12:11

II. PAUL GIVES EXHORTATION TO FAITHFULNESS TO CHRIST. 2 Cor. 11:2-3
   A. Verse 2a
      1. To have "godly" jealously is to have jealously like God. Ex.
         20:5; 34:14
      2. Paul didn't want the Corinthians to submit to false         
         teachers, but wanted them to submit only to Christ.
   B. Verse 2b
      1. The "betrothal" in those ancient times was similar to our
         modern-day engagement, only stronger.
         a. Those betrothed to each other were considered as
            married. Matt. 1:18-20
            (1) Joseph was "betrothed" to Mary, but he was her
                "husband" (vs. 19) and she was called his "wife"
                (vs. 20).
            (2) At this time, though, they were not married.
   C. Verse 2c
      1. Paul had betrothed the Corinthians to Christ at their
         conversion, that he might present them as a chaste virgin to
         Christ.
      2. He wanted to present them chaste and pure at the second
         coming of Christ.
      3. This same imagery is presented in Eph. 5:25-27; Rev. 19:7-8
      4. Let us remain pure and holy that we might be ready when
         Christ returns. 2 Pet. 3:10-12
   D. Verse 3a
      1. Satan in the form of a snake deceived Eve with craftiness.
         a. Let us look and see how Satan was crafty. Gen. 3:1-6
         b. Satan asked, "Has God said, 'You shall not eat of every
            tree of the garden?'"
            (1) He is pretending that he is just wanting information.
         c. Then, Satan falsely accuses God. "You will not surely
            die."
         d. Also, he implied that God is evil, holding back what was
            good for them.
         e. Thus, he is saying that God is unjust and a liar; Eve
            believes him, and eats the fruit.
         f. Eve said later that the serpent deceived her. Gen. 3:13
      2. Satan will not come to us in the form of a talking snake,   
         but he deceives us in other ways.
         a. He has many servants who do his work for him. 2 Cor.
            11:13-15; Eph. 4:14
         b. Some of the seven churches of Asia had allowed error
            to creep in. Rev. 2:14-16
   E. Verse 3b
      1. Paul did not want them to be corrupted from the simplicity
         that is in Christ.
      2. The word "simplicity" is used in the sense of "having       
         nothing mixed with it" (single), and "not being complex"    
         (simple).
         a. To have "singleness" of heart is an important aspect of
            Christianity. (See chart below)
            (1) Acts 2:46 - "singleness" - Lit. "without a rough
                stone stubbing the foot"; fig. smoothness." (Strong)
                (a) They did not have rough hearts, but good, smooth 
                    hearts.
            (2) Matt. 6:22-24; Luke 11:34 - "Single" (KJV)
                "singleness of purpose" (Vine)
                (a) It is the "single" eye that the Lord wants; an
                    eye that is focused only on Him.
                (b) One who serves only one Master, not two or more.
            (3) Rom. 12:8-9 - "Subjectively: sincerity, without
                dissimulation or self-seeking; objectively: with
                generosity, bountifully, liberally." (Strong)
                (a) One is to give liberally, without seeking glory
                    for himself.
                (b) Remember Ananias and Sapphira. Acts 5:1-10
            (4) Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22 - The same word as in Rom. 12:8.
                (a) Servants are to serve in sincerity, abounding in
                    their work.
         b. To have "simplicity" (not being complex) is also
            important. (See chart)
            (1) There is great simplicity in the teaching of Christ.
                (a) For example: the parable of the sower; His
                    teaching on the spiritual above the physical.
                    Matt. 13:18-23; 6:19-20
            (2) His church was organized in a very simple manner.
                (a) He is head of His church. Eph. 1:22-23
                (b) The local churches had elders and deacons.
                     Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1
                (c)  Man has a tendency to form all kinds of
                     committees and societies.
            (3) The worship as revealed in the N.T. is of great
                simplicity.
                (a) Lord's supper on the first day - 1 Cor. 11:23-
                    26; Acts 20:7; singing of hymns together - Col.
                    3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15; preaching of the word -
                    Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 7:17b; prayer - 1 Cor. 14:15;
                    giving on the first day - 1 Cor. 16:2
                (b) Man has a tendency to change the simple to
                    great pomp and ceremony.
            (4) We have a brief law to follow - the New Testament. 1 
                Cor. 14:37
            (5) Morality.
                (a) For example: His law on marriage and divorce
                    is easy to understand. Matt. 19:9
                (b) It is man that complicates things.
            (6) There is nothing complex about the plan of
                salvation.
                (a) Hearing - Acts 18:8; believing - John 8:24;
                    Heb. 11:6; repenting - Acts 2:38; confessing -
                    Rom. 10:9-10; baptism - Mark 16:16.
                (b) It is man who has made things difficult; e.g.,
                    man's view of Mark 16:16. (Chart below)

Concl.
   A. Paul gives exhortation to the Corinthian brethren to remain
      faithful to Christ.
      1. He wanted to present them as a chaste virgin to Christ - to
         make them ready for the Lord when He returns.
      2. He feared that as the serpent beguiled Eve, their minds     
         might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
      3. Indeed, there is great simplicity in Christ.
   B. We invite all to accept the simplicity that is in Christ and to
      reject the complexities devised by man. Col. 2:8

Chart #1
Simplicity - "Single; having nothing mixed with it."

Acts 2:46 - "singleness" - Lit. "without a rough stone stubbing the
foot; fig. smoothness." (Strong)
They did not have rough hearts, but good, smooth hearts.

Matt. 6:22-24; Luke 11:34 - "single" (KJV) - "singleness of purpose."
(Vine)
It is the "single" eye that the Lord wants; an eye that is focused
only on Him. One who serves only one Master.

Rom. 12:8-9 - "Subjectively: sincerity, without dissimulation or
self-seeking; objectively: with generosity, bountifully, liberally."
(Strong)
One is to give liberally, without seeking glory.

Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22 - The same word as in Rom. 12:8-9.
Servants are to serve in sincerity, abounding in their work.

Chart #2
Simplicity - "simple; not complex"

Simplicity in His teaching
Matt. 13:18-32; 6:19-21

In the Organization of His Church
Eph. 1:22-23; Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1

His Authorized Worship
Lord's supper on first day. 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Acts 20:7
Singing of hymns together. Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15
Preaching of the word. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 7:17b
Prayer. 1 Cor. 14:15
Giving on the first day. 1 Cor. 16:2

A Brief Law to Follow
1 Cor. 14:37

Morality
Matt. 19:9

Plan of Salvation
Hearing. Acts 18:8
Believing. John 8:24; Heb. 11:6
Repenting. Acts 2:38
Confessing. Rom. 10:9-10
Baptism. Mark 16:16

Chart #3
Hear, Believe, Respond

JESUS: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who
does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16) 

THE ATHEIST: "He who believes and is baptized will NOT be saved."
 
THE UNIVERSALIST: "He who does NOT believe and is NOT baptized will
be saved."

THE INFANT BAPTIZERS: "He who does NOT believe and is baptized
(sprinkled? poured?) will be saved."

MOST DENOMINATIONIST: "He who believes and is saved will be
baptized."