2 Corinthians 11 16

2 Corinthians 11:16 kjv

I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

2 Corinthians 11:16 nkjv

I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.

2 Corinthians 11:16 niv

I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting.

2 Corinthians 11:16 esv

I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

2 Corinthians 11:16 nlt

Again I say, don't think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 16 Meaning

The Apostle Paul issues a firm caution to the Corinthians, urging them not to dismiss him as foolish. However, he then immediately concedes that if they insist on viewing him as a fool, they should at least permit him this "foolishness" for a short time, so that he, too, may indulge in a little boasting, much like the false apostles he is confronting. This statement marks a pivotal turn in Paul’s argument, as he reluctantly adopts the rhetorical style of his opponents to expose their true nature and defend his legitimate apostolic ministry.

2 Corinthians 11 16 Context

2 Corinthians 11 marks a deeply impassioned section of Paul's letter, where he feels compelled to defend his apostolic ministry against encroaching "super-apostles" or "false apostles" who are misleading the Corinthian church. These rivals were likely Jewish Christian itinerants who boasted of their lineage, eloquence, and possibly miraculous signs, portraying Paul as weak, unimpressive in person, and lacking the sophisticated rhetorical skills esteemed in Corinthian culture. Paul uses vivid irony and sarcasm, reluctantly engaging in a "fool's speech" (or "foolish boasting"), a rhetorical device to shame his opponents by adopting their very tactics. Verse 16 serves as a transition and justification for this strategy. He has already begun this reluctant self-commendation in chapter 10, highlighting his authority. Here, he warns the Corinthians one last time not to brand him a fool simply for defending himself, but if they insist, he will embrace the label to counter his opponents' worldly boasting. His goal is not self-exaltation but the spiritual protection of the Corinthians, whom he likens to a virgin betrothed to Christ (2 Cor 11:2-3).

2 Corinthians 11 16 Word analysis

• Again (Πάλιν - Palin): This adverb signifies "anew," "once more," or "furthermore." Paul uses it to emphasize that this is a repeated request or warning, echoing earlier pleas in the letter for the Corinthians to tolerate him or for them not to misjudge his motivations.
• I say (Λέγω - Legō): A direct, declarative statement, signifying Paul's intent to firmly assert what follows. It lends gravity and authority to his words, despite the self-deprecating tone.
• Let no man (μή τις - mē tis): A strong negative imperative in Greek. It translates to "let not anyone," "no one," or "let no man by any means." This reflects a very earnest and direct prohibition against their judgment.
• Think me (λογισάσθω με - logisasthō me): Derived from logizomai, meaning "to reckon, count, compute, consider, suppose." It implies a considered judgment or perception. Paul asks them not to arrive at the conclusion that he is foolish through their assessment.
• A fool (ἄφρονα - aphrona): From aphrōn, meaning "senseless, foolish, without reason, unintelligent." This type of foolishness often denotes a lack of practical wisdom or spiritual discernment, a moral and intellectual deficiency. It is distinct from mōros, which suggests a more profound, often obstinate stupidity, but both carry strong negative connotations, especially in a culture valuing wisdom and rhetoric like Corinth. Paul has earlier embraced the label "fool for Christ's sake" (1 Cor 4:10), but here he uses it specifically to counter a judgment of intellectual or spiritual inferiority from his opponents.
• Yet if otherwise (Εἰ δὲ μήγε - Ei de mēge): This conditional particle and adverbial phrase means "but if not," "if it is otherwise," or "if that is not the case." It creates a hypothetical scenario: if they refuse to heed his request and indeed persist in thinking him a fool.
• Receive me (δέξασθέ με - dexasthe me): From dechomai, meaning "to receive, welcome, accept." Here, it carries the sense of "endure me," "bear with me," or "give me an audience," even if they do so grudgingly, based on their judgment of his "foolishness."
• Even as (κἀς - kas from kai hōs): Literally "and as" or "even as." It indicates a concession, saying, "if you treat me as if I were a fool..."
• That I may boast myself a little (ἵνα κἀγὼ μικρόν τι καυχισῶμαι - hina kagō mikron ti kauchisōmai): That (ἵνα - hina): Introduces the purpose clause. I also (κἀγὼ - kagō): "And I," or "I also/likewise," implying that if they accept him as a fool, then he, in turn, will act foolishly like his opponents by boasting. A little (μικρόν τι - mikron ti): "A small amount," "for a little while." This qualification injects a strong sense of irony and indicates Paul's reluctance and discomfort with this 'boasting.' It’s a temporary, limited deviation from his norm. Boast myself (καυχισῶμαι - kauchisōmai): From kauchaomai, meaning "to boast, glory, pride oneself." This verb is crucial as it describes the very activity Paul typically condemns when done according to human standards, yet he adopts it here strategically to mimic and critique his opponents' self-exalting rhetoric.

• "Again I say, let no man think me a fool": This opening phrase is a powerful, almost desperate plea from Paul. It’s a reassertion of his apostolic dignity, a final appeal for the Corinthians to discern him properly before he plunges into a 'fool's speech.' It's also a rhetorical move, preparing them for what’s to come by pre-empting their judgment.
• "Yet if otherwise, receive me even as a fool": This transition demonstrates Paul's rhetorical brilliance and strategic self-abasement. He acknowledges their potential misunderstanding and uses it as leverage. "If you must see me as a fool, then extend me the courtesy you would to a fool – bear with me, hear me out." This is deeply ironic, given that they readily tolerate genuine fools (false apostles) but struggle with Paul’s authenticity.
• "that I may boast myself a little": This purpose clause reveals the entire strategic aim behind his "foolish" boasting. Paul is not genuinely embracing pride but is using the worldly tactic of self-commendation (the very method of his rivals) to dismantle the false apostles' claims and highlight their emptiness, all while subtly pointing to his own true apostolic suffering and weakness, which he will soon boast about as his strength in Christ. The "a little" underscores the feigned nature of his boast and his true reluctance.

2 Corinthians 11 16 Bonus section

Paul's rhetorical strategy here is known as reductio ad absurdum – pushing his opponents' logic to its absurd conclusion. By ironically agreeing to be seen as a "fool" and mimicking their boasting, he exposes the foolishness of their criteria for leadership and commendation. The word aphron (fool) also carried connotations of being impious or lacking fear of God, adding another layer to Paul’s lament about being perceived this way by his spiritual children. Furthermore, Paul's adoption of boasting, even if reluctantly and ironically, provides insight into the boundaries of apostolic communication and defense. An apostle, for the sake of the Gospel and the church, may temporarily transgress certain norms of humility when confronted with destructive false teachings that threaten the very foundation of faith, but always with the purpose of pointing back to Christ, not themselves. The comparison between Paul's genuine "weakness" (suffering, humility, dependence on God) and the "strength" boasted by false teachers is a recurring motif in 2 Corinthians, with this verse marking the launch of his ultimate demonstration of that paradox.

2 Corinthians 11 16 Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:16 captures Paul's exasperated yet resolute commitment to the Corinthians, even if it means resorting to irony and temporary self-debasement. Faced with severe challenges to his apostolic authority by "super-apostles" whose credentials rested on worldly wisdom and self-promotion, Paul feels compelled to fight fire with fire, albeit ironically. He begins this section by directly appealing to them to avoid perceiving him as a fool. This highlights the Corinthian church’s problematic tendency to judge by outward appearances and eloquent speech. However, Paul immediately presents an alternative: if they insist on viewing him through that lens, they should grant him the same tolerance they give to other 'fools' – meaning, the false teachers – allowing him to indulge in boasting. His intention is not genuine self-glory but a strategic engagement to expose the superficiality of his opponents and re-establish the legitimacy of his God-given ministry, which stands on genuine suffering and weakness for Christ. It’s a dramatic shift from his usual principle of "he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord" (2 Cor 10:17), undertaken out of a deep pastoral concern. This moment signifies Paul stepping into the arena of his rivals using their weapons to ultimately demonstrate the superior power of divine weakness and genuine apostolic self-sacrifice.