2 Corinthians 11 17

2 Corinthians 11:17 kjv

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

2 Corinthians 11:17 nkjv

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

2 Corinthians 11:17 niv

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

2 Corinthians 11:17 esv

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

2 Corinthians 11:17 nlt

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

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 17 Meaning

Paul states that his impending "boasting" or self-defense against false teachers does not come from the Lord's command or typical spiritual wisdom. Instead, he acknowledges he speaks "as in foolishness," embracing a rhetorical stance contrary to his usual humility and Christian conduct. This 'foolishness' is a strategic and ironic move, driven by a necessity to counter his opponents' boasting and protect the Corinthian believers from deceit, making an exception to the rule for the sake of the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 11 17 Context

This verse is embedded in the heart of Paul's "fool's speech" (2 Cor 10-12), where he reluctantly defends his apostolic authority against rival "super-apostles" who have infiltrated the Corinthian church. These opponents boasted in their eloquent rhetoric, physical presence, and impressive human credentials, subtly undermining Paul's genuine, suffering, and humble ministry. The immediate context of 2 Cor 11 is Paul having to explain why he didn't burden the Corinthians financially (a sign of weakness to some, or deceit according to opponents). The "boasting" here is a concession; Paul prefers to boast in the Lord or in his weaknesses, but he must temporarily adopt his opponents' mode of self-praise to highlight their falsity and defend the true Gospel. Historically, Corinth was a city known for its sophistry and appreciation of skilled rhetoric, making the "super-apostles" likely skilled orators who appealed to cultural norms. Paul, on the other hand, frequently downplayed human eloquence in favor of divine power and plain truth.

2 Corinthians 11 17 Word analysis

• What I am saying: (Οὐ λαλῶ – Ou lalō) – Paul directly addresses his current rhetorical act. It indicates a present, ongoing declaration. "Ou" is a strong negative particle, reinforcing his subsequent disclaimer. This is a direct statement, indicating he is consciously choosing his words and method.
• I do not say: (οὐ λαλῶ – ou lalō) – Emphasizes that this mode of discourse is uncharacteristic and specifically not divinely commissioned. It's a personal, strategic decision.
• as the Lord would: (κατὰ Κύριον – kata Kyrion) – This phrase signifies "according to the Lord," "in the Lord's manner," or "by the Lord's command/authority." Paul regularly presents his teaching as from Christ (1 Cor 14:37, 2 Cor 10:7), so this is a significant deviation. It highlights that his subsequent boasting is a necessary but human expedient, not an ideal spiritual directive.
• but as in foolishness: (ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ – all' hōs en aphrosynē) –
  • ἀλλ᾽ (all'): A strong adversative conjunction, "but on the contrary." It sets up a direct contrast.
  • ὡς (hōs): "As" or "as if," indicating that this is a mode or manner of speech, not necessarily Paul genuinely becoming foolish in his mind, but rather speaking like a fool.
  • ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ (en aphrosynē): "In foolishness." Aphrosynē refers to lacking prudence, sense, or spiritual understanding; folly, irrationality. This is a deliberate, ironic self-designation. Paul adopts the persona of a 'fool' in a self-deprecating, yet strategic, way to critique his opponents who actually embody true spiritual folly (Rom 1:21). He is temporarily stepping outside what would be considered wise or humble by conventional Christian standards.
• in this confidence of boasting: (ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ ὑποστάσει τῆς καυχήσεως – en tautē tē hypostasei tēs kauchēseōs) –
  • ἐν ταύτῃ (en tautē): "In this" – referring back to the "foolishness." The 'boasting' is explicitly linked to this adopted 'foolish' mode.
  • τῇ ὑποστάσει (tē hypostasei): Often translated as "confidence" (as in NASB/ESV/KJV), "act" (NIV), "substance," or "basis." Here it means a confident stance, assurance, or undertaking. It refers to the 'ground' or 'basis' for his current activity. It's the confidence or firm stand he is taking by choosing to boast. It implies a firm resolve, a deliberate, settled determination to engage in this form of discourse.
  • τῆς καυχήσεως (tēs kauchēseōs): "Of boasting." Kauchēsis is the act of boasting or the thing boasted about. It refers to a claim of superiority or grounds for pride. Paul usually uses this term negatively unless boasting "in the Lord" or "in weaknesses." Here, it directly names the controversial act he is undertaking.

Words-group analysis

• "What I am saying, I do not say as the Lord would": Paul makes a clear disclaimer regarding the source and nature of his forthcoming words. He acknowledges that this mode of boasting is not divinely commanded nor an ideal reflection of his ministry. This preempts criticism, signaling to the reader that he knows his words are unconventional but necessary. It highlights his ethical tension – he knows biblical humility but must use a less spiritual approach to combat greater spiritual dangers.
• "but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting": This entire phrase explains how and why Paul is speaking this way. He's embracing a paradox: acting foolishly (by human/Corinthian standards of boasting) with a certain confidence (firm resolution) in doing so. His foolishness is not intellectual deficiency, but a rhetorical strategy, a "holy folly" designed to expose the genuine folly of his opponents and protect the integrity of the gospel. He is making a stand ("confidence" / hypostasis) precisely in this unusual mode of boasting.

2 Corinthians 11 17 Bonus section

Paul's "foolishness" here resonates with the broader theme in 1 Corinthians (especially chapters 1-3) where he declares that God's wisdom is perceived as foolishness by the world, and vice versa. Paul consistently chose "weakness" and simplicity over worldly "wisdom" or eloquence. By stating he is speaking "as in foolishness" in 2 Cor 11:17, he is not simply being sarcastic; he is tapping into this very theological paradox. He is, in effect, performing a real-time enactment of his theology, where what is humanly esteemed as wise (the boastful rhetoric of the false apostles) is true folly, and what appears foolish (Paul's reluctant self-vindication) is a necessary act to defend the truth of God. This speech highlights the "eschatological tension" Paul lived in—how the values of the coming Kingdom often stand in stark contrast to the values of this present evil age.

2 Corinthians 11 17 Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:17 encapsulates Paul's agonizing predicament as he adopts the very methods of his rivals – boasting – but with a critical difference: he does it self-consciously "as in foolishness." This isn't an admission of genuine foolishness but a brilliant rhetorical device, an ironic embrace of a mode he abhors, simply because his wise, humble approach has been misconstrued as weakness by the Corinthians. His ordinary boasting would be "in the Lord" (1 Cor 1:31) or "in my weaknesses" (2 Cor 11:30), but here he descends to his opponents' level, mimicking their style to expose its emptiness and re-establish his true apostolic authority, which is genuinely rooted in God, not human charisma. He underscores that this deviation is an expedient born of necessity, not a spiritual ideal, demonstrating his profound integrity even in moments of strategic compromise. He's entering a "contest of boasting" (2 Cor 11:18) with a heavy heart, to secure the Corinthians' loyalty to the authentic Gospel rather than succumb to false teachings. Paul's approach models how one might engage with contentious challenges by adapting rhetorical strategies while maintaining ethical clarity and fidelity to the ultimate message.