2 Corinthians 11 10

2 Corinthians 11:10 kjv

As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

2 Corinthians 11:10 nkjv

As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

2 Corinthians 11:10 niv

As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine.

2 Corinthians 11:10 esv

As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.

2 Corinthians 11:10 nlt

As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 10 Meaning

This verse serves as a solemn declaration by the Apostle Paul, affirmed by the indwelling truth of Christ, that his practice of not accepting financial support from the Corinthians—and thus not being a financial burden—will not be stopped or silenced anywhere within the Roman province of Achaia, where Corinth was located. This "boasting" is his commitment to minister without cost, a crucial aspect of his integrity, and a strategic point of contrast against those false teachers ("super-apostles") who exploited the Corinthian church. Paul pledges this as a matter of Christ-centered truth, guaranteeing his continued and unwavering financial independence in that specific region.

2 Corinthians 11 10 Context

Chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians finds Paul engaged in a highly personal and polemical defense of his apostolic ministry. He is reluctantly "boasting" like a "fool" (2 Cor 11:1), not out of self-exaltation, but to counter the severe criticisms and deceptive teachings of so-called "super-apostles" who had infiltrated the Corinthian church. These false teachers likely criticized Paul for his plain speech, humble appearance, and especially his refusal of financial support, portraying it as a sign of his inferiority or lack of confidence in his own message. In a Greco-Roman culture where eloquent sophists and respected teachers typically commanded fees, Paul's self-sufficiency stood in stark contrast and could be misinterpreted.

Paul explains that he accepted support from other churches (specifically Macedonia, 2 Cor 11:8-9) in order to preach the gospel to the Corinthians free of charge, thus "robbing" other churches to serve them. This practice served a twofold purpose: to remove any potential "burden" on the Corinthians and, critically, to demonstrate his authentic and selfless commitment to the gospel, setting him apart from the mercenary motives of his opponents (2 Cor 11:12-13) who were exploiting the church. Verse 10 is Paul's unwavering declaration, given with divine solemnity, that this particular boasting – his integrity regarding financial independence in Achaia – is absolutely non-negotiable and cannot be stopped.

2 Corinthians 11 10 Word analysis

• As (ὡς - hos): This Greek conjunction introduces a solemn oath, similar to "as surely as" or "by the fact that." It acts like a powerful invocation, affirming the absolute truthfulness of the statement that follows by rooting it in a divine reality. It lends the statement immense weight and certainty.
• Christ's (Χριστοῦ - Christou): The genitive form "of Christ." It attributes the source and nature of the truth to Christ himself. It's not just "a" truth, but truth belonging to or deriving from Christ.
• truth (ἀλήθεια - alētheia): Denotes veracity, reality, and genuineness. In Paul's theology, alētheia often refers to the reality of the gospel and divine revelation, starkly contrasted with deceit and falsehood. Here, it signifies not merely intellectual knowledge but an experiential, internal conviction and spiritual reality rooted in Christ. It means that Paul's position on financial independence is fundamentally consistent with Christ's character and the nature of His gospel.
• is in me (ἐν ἐμοί - en emoi): Implies possession and indwelling. This truth of Christ is not external but resides within Paul, governing his mind, motives, and actions. It denotes a profound, internal connection, ensuring that his boast originates from Christ himself, guaranteeing its authenticity and validity.
• no one (οὐ ... τις - ou ... tis): Lit. "not any," creating an emphatic negation. Absolutely no person, no opponent, no circumstance will be able to silence him.
• will stop (φραγήσεται - phragēsetai): This is a future passive indicative of φράσσω (phrassō), meaning "to fence in," "to block," "to silence," or "to hinder." The passive voice emphasizes that despite external attempts to hinder him, this "boasting" (his policy) will actively not be stopped. It points to divine assurance.
• this boasting (αὕτη ἡ καύχησις - hautē hē kauchēsis):
  • this (αὕτη - hautē): A demonstrative pronoun, specifically pointing to the boasting Paul just mentioned in previous verses (e.g., his policy of preaching the gospel without charge).
  • boasting (καύχησις - kauchēsis): Can carry both positive and negative connotations in Paul. While he typically condemns boasting in human achievement, he permits "boasting in the Lord" or in aspects of his suffering for the gospel. Here, it is a forced, necessary "boast" in his ministerial integrity and selflessness—a point of genuine pride that also strategically refutes the accusations and mercenary motives of the false apostles. It is his resolve not to be a burden.
• of mine (εἰς ἐμὲ - eis eme): Lit. "unto me" or "with respect to me." Here it specifies that the boasting is his, connected to him, and will continue by him. It affirms the deeply personal commitment behind this policy.
• in the regions (ἐν τοῖς κλίμασιν - en tois klimasin): Refers to the geographical districts or areas. This highlights a territorial limitation, showing that Paul is not making a universal statement for all his ministry, but specifically for his work within Achaia, precisely where the Corinthian conflict and the false teachers were most prominent.
• of Achaia (τῆς Ἀχαΐας - tēs Achaias): The Roman province covering the southern part of Greece, with Corinth as its capital. The specificity underlines that this resolve is particular to the situation in Corinth and the surrounding areas, addressing the immediate threat posed by the false apostles there.

2 Corinthians 11 10 Bonus section

• The Nature of the Oath: Paul's solemn "As Christ's truth is in me" is a form of asseveration common in ancient rhetoric and similar to taking an oath. It's not a light statement but implies putting his integrity and Christ's honor on the line. Other Pauline strong affirmations (e.g., Rom 9:1, Gal 1:20) also underscore his earnestness, indicating he speaks concerning matters of the highest spiritual importance.
• A "Foolish" but Strategic Boast: While Paul typically detested boasting, here he engages in what he calls "foolish boasting" (2 Cor 11:1) or "madness" (2 Cor 11:23) because it's forced upon him by the circumstances created by his opponents. His boast about not taking funds from them is therefore not self-aggrandizement, but a necessary defense of his ministry's authenticity and an apologetic for the gospel's freeness against those who peddled God's word for profit (2 Cor 2:17).
• Integrity as an Apostolic Mark: Paul’s financial policy was a distinct mark of his true apostleship, setting him apart from charlatans. His labor, toil, and refusal to burden the churches reinforced his genuine authority, as his example mirrored Christ's selfless sacrifice, directly challenging the notion that spiritual authority necessitates worldly gain or a privileged lifestyle.
• Precedent for Ministerial Finance: This verse, along with related passages in 1 Corinthians 9, lays foundational principles for understanding ministerial support. While ministers have a right to support, Paul demonstrates the freedom to waive that right for the sake of the gospel or to counter specific spiritual abuses, illustrating the dynamic and Spirit-led nature of ministry economics rather than a rigid command.

2 Corinthians 11 10 Commentary

Paul’s declaration in 2 Corinthians 11:10 is a powerful oath, grounding his unconventional "boast"—his unwavering commitment to financially support himself while ministering in Achaia—in the very truth and faithfulness of Christ Himself. This practice, unusual for respected teachers of the era, was not arbitrary but a deliberate strategy born out of Christ-centered integrity. It served to demonstrate the pure motives of the gospel (which is freely given) and to unequivocally expose the exploitative, mercenary tactics of the "super-apostles" who were burdening the Corinthian church. Paul knew that maintaining this financial independence was a tangible, undeniable proof of his selfless love for the Corinthians and his legitimate apostleship, and therefore, he proclaimed with divine certainty that this critical aspect of his ministry would never be silenced or undermined within that region. This commitment stood as a perpetual challenge to the false teachers and a visible testament to the gospel's authenticity, showing that the message, and not the messenger's personal gain, was paramount.