2 Corinthians 11 1

2 Corinthians 11:1 kjv

Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

2 Corinthians 11:1 nkjv

Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly?and indeed you do bear with me.

2 Corinthians 11:1 niv

I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me!

2 Corinthians 11:1 esv

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!

2 Corinthians 11:1 nlt

I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 1 Meaning

The Apostle Paul opens this chapter with a passionate, somewhat exasperated plea to the Corinthian believers. He asks them to tolerate his upcoming "folly," an ironic term he uses to describe his forced act of boasting about his apostleship and ministry, which he undertakes reluctantly to counter the worldly boasting of false teachers. His appeal is a rhetorical setup for the intense self-defense and warnings that follow, demonstrating his deep love and spiritual concern for their purity in Christ.

2 Corinthians 11 1 Context

This verse initiates a significant shift in Paul’s defense against false teachers in Corinth. The preceding chapters (especially 2 Cor 10) establish Paul’s authority, arguing against opponents who judged him by worldly standards of rhetoric and physical presence. They boasted in external accomplishments and persuasive speech. Paul's letters, they claimed, were forceful, but his personal presence and speaking were contemptible (2 Cor 10:10). Chapter 11 directly addresses these challengers, often called "super-apostles" (2 Cor 11:5, 12:11), who were subtly corrupting the Corinthian church with "another Jesus" and "another gospel" (2 Cor 11:4). To expose their deceit, Paul reluctantly adopts their worldly method of boasting, which he satirically calls "my folly" (ἀφροσύνη). His urgent request for their tolerance underscores the gravity of the situation and his intense pastoral care, bordering on "divine jealousy" (2 Cor 11:2) for their spiritual well-being and loyalty to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11 1 Word analysis

• Would to God (Ὄφελον - Ophelon): This interjection expresses a strong, fervent wish or earnest desire, sometimes tinged with regret or an acknowledgment that the desired state may not perfectly align with reality. Paul genuinely wishes they could endure his upcoming "foolish" self-defense.
• ye could bear with me (ἀνείχεσθέ μου - aneichesthe mou): Anechomai means "to bear," "to tolerate," "to put up with," "to endure." It’s an urgent plea for their patience and understanding. Paul is asking them to extend grace and allow him this departure from his usual pattern of not boasting about himself.
• a little (μικρὸν - mikron): This adverb can mean "for a short time" or "to a small extent." Paul suggests that his "folly" will be limited either in duration or scope. It also potentially softens the request, making it seem less burdensome.
• in my folly (τῆς ἀφροσύνης - tēs aphrosynēs): This is a critical term. Aphrosynē refers to foolishness, senselessness, or lack of good judgment. Paul uses it ironically and provocatively. He knows that his impending "boasting" will sound foolish to those valuing worldly wisdom and eloquence (the very standard his opponents held). By calling it his "folly," he preempts their criticism and implicitly critiques the worldly values that would deem his humble boasting foolish while applauding the boastful pride of the false apostles. He's embracing their label to expose their own misguided judgment.
• and indeed (ἀλλὰ καὶ - alla kai): A strong connective, carrying the sense of "but even," "indeed," or "actually." It strengthens the request, adding urgency. Some translations render it as "but do bear with me" or "and you do bear with me." This phrase suggests that despite his reservation about engaging in "folly," he truly expects and needs them to bear with him through it. It underscores his earnest expectation of their compliance.
• bear with me (ἀνέχεσθέ μου - aneichesthe mou): A repetition of the initial request, adding emphatic force. It functions like a plea, an immediate expectation, almost saying "No, really, bear with me!" This doubling up emphasizes the importance and urgency of their toleration.

• Would to God ye could bear with me a little: Paul isn't merely commanding, but strongly imploring. His rhetorical strategy hinges on the Corinthians' willingness to grant him this grace, knowing he is about to step outside what might typically be considered decorous apostolic behavior for the sake of the gospel.
• in my folly: and indeed bear with me: The phrase creates an intentional tension. Paul labels his upcoming defense as "folly," directly appealing to the Corinthian valuation of worldly wisdom, only to then immediately and emphatically insist that they must endure it. This prepares the readers for his highly rhetorical, often sarcastic, and ultimately deeply sincere defense in the following verses.

2 Corinthians 11 1 Bonus section

Paul’s willingness to temporarily embrace the label of "foolish" connects profoundly with the upside-down kingdom values revealed in the Gospel. Just as Christ, though God, humbled Himself to the point of a shameful cross, appearing foolish and weak to the world (Phil 2:6-8, 1 Cor 1:23), Paul embraces perceived weakness for the sake of the Gospel. His "folly" is thus a conscious echo of Christ's paradoxical strength through humility. This strategic vulnerability allows him to draw a sharp contrast between his authentic ministry, rooted in self-giving for others, and the self-serving, glory-seeking motivations of his opponents. The "little" (mikron) also highlights that this descent into ironic boasting is an exception, a necessary evil, not Paul's preferred mode of communication or defense, underscoring his integrity and adherence to godly conduct. His deep love for the church compels him to this discomforting rhetorical maneuver, rather than pride or personal gain.

2 Corinthians 11 1 Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:1 marks Paul’s difficult entry into a period of self-vindication, which he ironically labels as "folly." This is not a confession of genuine foolishness but a brilliant rhetorical move, disarming his critics by adopting their projected critique of him. The Corinthians, swayed by the charismatic yet superficial false apostles who boasted in their worldly credentials, saw Paul's lack of worldly eloquence and his self-sacrificing ministry as weakness or inadequacy. By pleading with them to "bear with me a little in my folly," Paul establishes a precarious ground where he can, paradoxically, defend his true apostleship and expose the deception of the false teachers by using the very "boasting" tactics they employed, but always from a uniquely Christ-centered perspective that ultimately glories in weakness (as seen in chapter 12). This verse serves as a crucial preface, inviting his audience into a counter-narrative, where worldly standards of wisdom and power are turned upside down, all driven by Paul’s consuming, divine jealousy for the spiritual purity and faithfulness of the Corinthian church.