Lexical Summary pseudapostolos: False apostle Original Word: ψευδαπόστολος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance false teacher. From pseudes and apostolos; a spurious apostle, i.e. Pretended pracher -- false teacher. see GREEK pseudes see GREEK apostolos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pseudés and apostolos Definition a false apostle NASB Translation false apostles (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5570: ψευδαπόστολοςψευδαπόστολος, ψευδαποστολου, ὁ (ψευδής and ἀπόστολος), a false apostle, one who falsely claims to be an ambassador of Christ: 2 Corinthians 11:13. Topical Lexicon Concept and Scope The expression translated “false apostles” denotes individuals who claim the authority and gifting of Christ-commissioned messengers but whose calling, doctrine, and character prove counterfeit. Their appearance in the New Testament underlines the reality that every authentic work of God is soon imitated by deceivers. Biblical Occurrence The plural form appears once, in 2 Corinthians 11:13. Paul warns, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ”. The verse stands in a section (2 Corinthians 10–13) where the Apostle is defending his ministry against intruders who boasted of superior credentials yet corrupted the gospel. Paul’s Controversy in 2 Corinthians 1. Context: A faction of teachers had entered Corinth questioning Paul’s authority and preaching “another Jesus” and “a different gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:4). Old Testament Roots of the Warning False claimants to divine authority were already familiar to Israel. Deuteronomy 13:1-5 prescribes that a prophet working signs yet leading toward other gods is to be rejected. Jeremiah 23 condemns prophets who “speak visions from their own minds.” Paul stands in this prophetic tradition, using the same standard—faithfulness to revealed truth—as the test of authenticity. Marks of False Apostles • Distorted Gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Testing Apostleship in the Early Church Revelation 2:2 commends the Ephesian church: “You have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and have found them to be false”. The test involved: 1. Agreement with the apostolic teaching once delivered (Acts 2:42). Historical Developments By the late first and early second centuries, itinerant teachers continued to claim apostolic authority. Documents like the Didache instruct congregations to discern whether a traveling prophet stays longer than three days or asks for money. Gnostic teachers such as Cerinthus invoked visions to rival apostolic revelation, prompting the Church to articulate the canon and rule of faith. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Vigilance: Elders are charged “to shepherd the church of God” against wolves (Acts 20:28-30). Christological and Ecclesiological Significance The presence of false apostles sharpens the Church’s focus on the once-for-all apostolic foundation laid by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:20). Authentic ministry proclaims the crucified and risen Lord, relies on His grace, and seeks the edification of His body. Counterfeits, by contrast, divert attention to themselves, dilute the cross, and fracture the fellowship. Application for Contemporary Believers • Evaluate every messenger by Scripture rather than charisma. Conclusion The lone New Testament appearance of the term encapsulates a timeless challenge: distinguishing true apostolic ministry from its imitation. Scripture equips the Church to meet that challenge through sound doctrine, Spirit-empowered discernment, and unwavering devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations ψευδαποστολοι ψευδαπόστολοι pseudapostoloi pseudapóstoloiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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