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SEPTEMBER 20
The false apostles came into the Corinthian church from the outside—just as Satan did into
the Garden (v. 4). It is likely that they were Palestinian Jews (v. 22; Acts 6:1) who allegedly sought to
bring the Corinthians under the sway of the Jerusalem church.They were in a sense Judaizers,seek-
ing to impose Jewish customs on the Corinthians. Unlike the Judaizers who plagued the Galatian
churches (Gal. 5:2), however, the false apostles at Corinth apparently did not insist that the
Corinthians be circumcised. Nor did they practice a rigid legalism; in fact, they apparently encour-
aged licentiousness (12:21). Their fascination with rhetoric and oratory (10:10) suggests they had
been influenced by Greek culture and philosophy.
Though their teaching may have differed from the Galatian Judaizers, it was just as deadly.
“Another Jesus…a different spirit…a different gospel” (v. 4). Paul’s quarrel with the false apostles
was not personal, but doctrinal. Those who adulterated the true gospel received Paul’s strongest
condemnation (Gal. 1:6–9). Paul’s fear that the Corinthians would embrace the damning lies of the
false apostles prompted his jealous concern for them.

The viper and fiery flying serpent,
September 20 They will carry their riches on the
backs of young donkeys,
And their treasures on the humps of
camels,
Isaiah 30:1–32:20
To a people who shall not profit;
30 “Woe to the rebellious children,” 7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain
and to no purpose.
says the LORD,
“Who take counsel, but not of Me, Therefore I have called her
And who devise plans, but not of My Rahab-Hem-Shebeth.
Spirit,
8 Now go, write it before them on a tablet,
That they may add sin to sin;
And note it on a scroll,
That it may be for time to come,
Forever and ever:
9 That this is a rebellious people,
30:1 not of Me…not of My Spirit. Hezekiah’s Lying children,
advisers urged him to turn to the Egyptians, Children who will not hear the law of
not to God, for help against the invading the LORD;
Assyrians. Isaiah denounced this reliance on 10 Who say to the seers, “Do not see,”
Egypt rather than God, who had forbidden And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy
such alliances. to us right things;
Speak to us smooth things, prophesy
deceits.
Get out of the way,
11
2 Who walk to go down to Egypt, Turn aside from the path,
And have not asked My advice, Cause the Holy One of Israel
To strengthen themselves in the To cease from before us.”
strength of Pharaoh,
12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:
And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh “Because you despise this word,
Shall be your shame, And trust in oppression and perversity,
And trust in the shadow of Egypt And rely on them,
Shall be your humiliation. 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you
4 For his princes were at Zoan, Like a breach ready to fall,
And his ambassadors came to Hanes. A bulge in a high wall,
5 They were all ashamed of a people who Whose breaking comes suddenly,
could not benefit them, in an instant.
Or be help or benefit, 14 And He shall break it like the breaking
But a shame and also a reproach.” of the potter’s vessel,
Which is broken in pieces;
6 The burden against the beasts of the South.
He shall not spare.
Through a land of trouble and anguish, So there shall not be found among its
From which came the lioness and lion, fragments

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