The Nugget:
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
The Challenge:
Pagan Paul calls Jesus’s apostles Matthew, Peter, Mark, John, etc., of being false apostles of Christ, deceitful workers. 2 Corinthians 11:13.
My Response:
MD You need to learn to read the New Testament more accurately.
Paul is not calling Matthew, Peter, Mark, or John false apostles of Christ nor is he calling them deceitful workers in 2 Corinthians 11:13.
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
In the larger context, Paul is defending himself against the false claims lodged against him by the false teachers who were the Judaizers who attempted to teach a counterfeit Gospel. Paul reaches the climax of his argument in 2 Corinthians 13:5 and context where he reminds the Corinthians that they were saved and believed in Christ as a result of his teaching. How could they be saved if Paul had presented them a false Gospel?
In the very chapter you are citing, Paul states in 2 Corinthians 11:26,
2Co 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Notice Paul’s reference to “perils among false brethren.”
The same underlying word of the translated Greek text is found at Galatians 2:4,
Gal 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Gal 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Notice that Paul steadfastly defended the true Gospel of Christ and utterly rejected the false Gospel of Christ being promoted by the Judaizing false teachers of his day:
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Peter likewise makes reference to these false teachers in that time and warns of their continuing presence:
2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Read these words of Scripture carefully. To falsely accuse Paul is to tread on very dangerous ground. Paul did not appoint himself to be an Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself appointed Paul to be His Apostle to the Gentiles in particular, as well as He appointed Paul to testify before kings as well as to bear His name before the children of Israel:
Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Act 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
Be very careful not to be one of those who speak evil of the truth.