2 Corinthians 11:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool.

NIV: In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool.

NASB: What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.

CSB: What I am saying in this matter of boasting, I don't speak as the Lord would, but as it were, foolishly.

NLT: Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool.

KJV: That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

NKJV: What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Paul is setting his readers up to hear him boast about himself, as his opponents in Corinth were boasting about themselves. This is not actually an instance of arrogance by Paul, but a deliberate tactic to put his critics in their place. Self-promotion was the way of the Greek world, especially in Corinth, when some philosophical opponents competed for the attention of their audiences. But self-glorifying boasting was not the Lord's way, as Paul says here. He is clear that the boasting he is about to do will be as a fool and not as Christ's representative.

Still, when he finally begins to "boast," he will not actually be promoting himself so much as God's strength in his weakness. Critics who sneered at Paul had never endured what he had, nor accomplished as much for the sake of the gospel. The power of God, shown in Paul's ability to endure trials and continue to preach, should make the lying critics of Corinth ashamed.

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.

Accessed 5/2/2024 12:54:22 PM