This brief study resource is posted in response to the increasing number of claims to apostleship, we are being subjected to. Mostly self-proclamation, unfortunately... The NT is quite clear on the marks of a true apostle of Christ (and note - they are in Paul's context, NOT about the 12 apostles of Christ, but descriptions of the grace-gifted apostles of Ephesians 4:11 who are given continually until the Body comes to full maturity (at the Second Coming).
In mounting his attack on those falsely claiming apostolic authority, Paul draws from the OT references to "worthless men" - sons of Belial. 2 Cor 6:15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? [Greek <Beliar>, a variant of <Belial>]. This reference goes back to Deut 13:13, where it was originally associated with people tempting God's people to add other gods into their worship (see v3).
Deu 13:12-18 If you hear it said about one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you to live in that wicked men[1] have arisen among you and have led the people of their town astray, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods you have not known), then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly. And if it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done among you, you must certainly put to the sword all who live in that town. Destroy it completely[2], both its people and its livestock. Gather all the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and completely burn the town and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. It is to remain a ruin forever, never to be rebuilt. None of those condemned things[3] all be found in your hands, so that the LORD will turn from his fierce anger; he will show you mercy, have compassion on you, and increase your numbers, as he promised on oath to your forefathers, because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes.
As Sons of Belial, they cause the people to forsake the true way of worshiping the Lord and lead them into enslavement through worshiping other gods in their framework of supposedly worshiping the Lord (see also Zeph 1:5).
The context of Paul's "Belial" is false teachers (2 Cor 11:13), notwithstanding their charm. See also Psa 101:3. As preachers of "a different gospel" (v4), they stood under the anathema of Gal 1:8-9. [NIVBC note]. 2 Cor 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
11:12 they are "boasters";
11:1-4 have a "different" gospel;
11:12 they are "boasters";
10:18 commend themselves, push themselves forward (11:20 Rev 2:2[4]);
11:13 deceitful workmen, masquerading - a conscious lie involved; called servant of Satan;
11:3 lead people astray from their sincere, pure, simple devotion to Christ - to serve another god (Deut 13:13);
11:20 enslave and exploit the people; cf. true apostles don't want their possessions (12:14); this has a definite financial connotation.
11:20 take advantage of the people financially (Mark 12:40 1 Tim 6:5 );
12:20-21 produce a deterioration in people's behaviour - quarrelling, jealousy, slander, arrogance, disorder, impurity, sexual sin, debauchery.
Furthermore, they lack genuine, biblically-consistent charismatic phenomena, although possibly exhibiting counterfeit "another spirit"-based supernatural ability.
12:12 ministry accompanied by signs, wonders, miracles;
12:12 great perseverance;
11:28 care for all the churches; this shows itself in a genuine shepherd's heart (eg. 1 Thess 2:3-12);
1 Cor 9:2 people are living fruit of the ministry; (cf. 2 Cor 12:14-15)
12:13-15 Very careful in money matters and motives, "never a burden" to them;
1 Cor 4:8-13 regarded as the scum of the earth. They were treated with contempt and given over to death continually. Insulted and reputations continually attacked.
Perhaps the most comprehensive description of the life of an apostle is given by Paul as he defends himself and Timothy's apostolic influence to the Corinthians in 2 Cor 4 where he lists the "attractions" of apostolic ministry - no 5 star hotels, first class travel, expense accounts and high living here! The glory of God isn't going to be shared with anyone's flesh... He decides that if it's a package deal of insults, attacks, perilous circumstances, etc, PLUS the power of the gospel that brings the glory of God into the church, then he will accept it. May such apostolic ministry be recognised again in Christ's church!
Notes
[1] Deu 13:13: KJV = children of Belial. 1 Sam 1:16 2:12 25:17 10:27 30:22 (troublemakers) Prov 6:12 1 Kings 21:10-13 (scoundrels). Later, Belial was used as a name for Satan (2 Cor 6:15 - there related to the worship of false gods). See also note on 2 Cor 11:13 where idea is linked with false (super) apostles.
[2] "completely": The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the LORD, often by totally destroying them.
[3] things": The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the LORD, often by totally destroying them. Kherem curse at work here - because of the vital, central nature of this matter to the continued life, identity, and prosperity of God's nation, Israel.
[4] Self-proclamation is an evidence of false ministry - all the way through to the man of rebellion himself 2 Thess 2:4. 1 Sam 15:12 Prov 25:6-7 27:2 27:21 25:27 John 7:18 5:23 5:44 12:43 Hab 1:7 Mat 24:5 Luke 14:7-11 2 Cor 10:5 10:12-18 11:20 1 Tim 3:6 Rev 2:2 seeking one's own honour is always very dangerous;