What does 2 Corinthians 11:18 mean?

In this passage, Paul is making a show of joining his opponents in the game of boasting. His spiritual opponents brag about themselves in hopes of winning over the hearts and minds of the Corinthians. Paul's intent, in contrast, is to show how empty that approach is, and how differently his ministry operates.

Of course, this is not a game to Paul. He described it as a war (2 Corinthians 10:3–5) against the servants of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:13–14), men disguising themselves as apostles of Christ in order to seduce the Corinthians away from their true devotion to Jesus.

Paul describes these false teachers as boasting "according to the flesh." That means their bragging was intended to impress others by bringing glory to themselves. Paul says that he will now "boast," as well, even though it is foolish and not Christlike (2 Corinthians 11:17). He makes it clear this is an object lesson, not an actual brag session. Rather, Paul will describe his greatness as a servant of Christ in terms of how much he has suffered and Christ's strength through Him instead of his own achievements or victories.