2CO 11

2 Corinthians 11:17

WEB

That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.

BSB

In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool.

KJV

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

Matthew Henry

Verses 16–21

2 Corinthians 11:16–21

Here we have a further excuse that the apostle makes for what he was about to say in his own vindication. 1. He would not have them think he was guilty of folly, in saying what he said to vindicate himself: Let no man think me a fool, Co2 11:16. Ordinarily, indeed, it is unbecoming a wise man to be much and often speaking in his own praise. Boasting of ourselves is usually not only a sign of a proud mind, but a mark of folly also. However, says the apostle, yet as a fool receive me; that is, if you count it folly in me to boast a little, yet give due regard to what I shall say. 2. He mentions a caution, to prevent the abuse of what he should say, telling them that what he spoke, he did not speak after the Lord, Co2 11:17. He would not have them think that boasting of ourselves, or glorying in what we have, is a thing commanded by the Lord in general unto Christians, nor yet that this is always necessary in our own vindication; though it may be lawfully used, because not contrary to the Lord, when, strictly speaking, it is not after the Lord. It is the duty and practice of Christians, in obedience to the command and example of the Lord, rather to humble and abase themselves; yet prudence must direct in what circumstances it is needful to do that which we may do lawfully, even speak of what God has wrought for us, and in us, and by us too. 3. He gives a good reason why they should suffer him to boast a little; namely, because they suffered others to do so who had less reason. Seeing many glory after the flesh (of carnal privileges, or outward advantages and attainments), I will glory also, Co2 11:18. But he would not glory in those things, though he had as much or more reason than others to do so. But he gloried in his infirmities, as he tells them afterwards. The Corinthians thought themselves wise, and might think it an instance of wisdom to bear with the weakness of others, and therefore suffered others to do what might seem folly; therefore the apostle would have them bear with him. Or these words, You suffer fools gladly, seeing you yourselves are wise (Co2 11:19), may be ironical, and then the meaning is this: "Notwithstanding all your wisdom, you willingly suffer yourselves to be brought into bondage under the Jewish yoke, or suffer others to tyrannize over you; nay, to devour you, or make a prey of you, and take of you hire for their own advantage, and to exalt themselves above you, and lord it over you; nay, even to smite you on the face, or impose upon you to your very faces (Co2 11:20), upbraiding you while they reproach me, as if you had been very weak in showing regard to me," Co2 11:21. Seeing this was the case, that the Corinthians, or some among them, could so easily bear all this from the false apostles, it was reasonable for the apostle to desire, and expect, they should bear with what might seem to them an indiscretion in him, seeing the circumstances of the case were such as made it needful that whereinsoever any were bold he should be bold also, Co2 11:21.

Cross-references: 2Cor 11:16 · 2Cor 11:17 · 2Cor 11:18 · 2Cor 11:19 · 2Cor 11:20 · 2Cor 11:21

Greek interlinear

G3739

ὅςhós/hos/

one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc

, including feminine , and neuter

Derivation: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588);

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

KJV: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.

See also G3757.

See also: G3588, G3757.

G2980

λαλέωlaléō/lal-eh'-o/

preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter

Derivation: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb;

to talk, i.e. utter words

KJV: preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.

Compare G3004.

See also: G3004.

G3756

οὐou/oo/

+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but

, also (before a vowel) οὐκ , and (before an aspirate) οὐχ

Derivation: a primary word;

the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not

KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.

See also G3364, G3372.

See also: G3361, G3364, G3372.

G2596

κατάkatá/kat-ah'/

about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with

Derivation: a primary particle;

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

KJV: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with.

In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.

G2962

κύριοςkýrios/koo'-ree-os/

God, Lord, master, Sir

Derivation: from κῦρος (supremacy);

supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)

KJV: God, Lord, master, Sir.

G235

ἀλλάallá/al-lah'/

and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet

Derivation: neuter plural of G243;

properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

KJV: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.

See also: G243.

G5613

ὡςhōs/hoce/

about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed

Derivation: probably adverb of comparative from G3739;

which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

KJV: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.

See also: G3739.

G1722

ἐνen/en/

about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in)

Derivation: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537);

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.

KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in).

Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

See also: G1519, G1537.

G877

ἀφροσύνηaphrosýnē/af-ros-oo'-nay/

folly, foolishly(-ness)

Derivation: from G878;

senselessness, i.e. (euphemistically) egotism; (morally) recklessness

KJV: folly, foolishly(-ness).

See also: G878.

G3778

οὗτοςhoûtos/hoo'-tos/

he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who

, including nominative masculine plural οὗτοι , nominative feminine singular αὕτη , and nominative feminine plural αὕται

Derivation: from the article G3588 and G846;

the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated)

KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.

See also: G846, G3588.

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G5287

ὑπόστασιςhypóstasis/hoop-os'-tas-is/

confidence, confident, person, substance

Derivation: from a compound of G5259 and G2476;

a setting under (support), i.e. (figuratively) concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance (objectively or subjectively)

KJV: confidence, confident, person, substance.

See also: G5259, G2476.

G2746

καύχησιςkaúchēsis/kow'-khay-sis/

boasting, whereof I may glory, glorying, rejoicing

Derivation: from G2744;

boasting (properly, the act; by implication, the object), in a good or a bad sense

KJV: boasting, whereof I may glory, glorying, rejoicing.

See also: G2744.

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