2 Corinthians 11:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.

NIV: Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.

NASB: Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.

CSB: Since many boast according to the flesh, I will also boast.

NLT: And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.

KJV: Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

NKJV: Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

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.

Second Corinthians 11:16–33 includes Paul's long list of ways he has suffered in his service to Christ. He describes this as crazy talk, mocking the arrogant style of the false apostles. In truth, the Corinthians probably would have thought of these as signs of failure, weakness, and loss. Paul is shocked that they are so willing to be mistreated by the false apostles. This abuse was something Paul was ''too weak'' to do in his Christlike service for them. Paul's discussion of his weakness will lead to his conclusion in the following chapter that Christ is strongest in him when he is weak.

Second Corinthians 11 compares the believers in Corinth to a betrothed bride. It also pictures them as Eve facing temptation from the snake in the garden in Genesis 3. Paul's job as their spiritual father is to protect them from the lies of false apostles. These deceivers disguise themselves as servants of righteousness in the same way that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Paul is shocked the Corinthians put up with such harsh treatment from these men. He sarcastically pretends to brag about himself as the false teachers do about themselves. Instead, he boasts mostly about the ways he has endured suffering in his service to Christ.

Chapter 11 follows Paul's warning in the previous chapter. There, he vowed to be as bold as needed when he comes to see them in person. He describes himself as a protective spiritual father trying to save the Corinthians from the deceptions of the false apostles to teach a false gospel about a false Jesus. He is shocked the Corinthians put up with their harsh treatment and says he has decided to foolishly boast in order to compete with the false apostles. His boasting about his service to Christ, though, is mostly a long list of all the ways he has suffered for Christ. That theme continues into chapter 12, where Paul explains just how much his suffering has improved his walk with Christ.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.