2 Corinthians 11 18

2 Corinthians 11:18 kjv

Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

2 Corinthians 11:18 nkjv

Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

2 Corinthians 11:18 niv

Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.

2 Corinthians 11:18 esv

Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.

2 Corinthians 11:18 nlt

And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 18 Meaning

Since many of Paul's opponents in Corinth are pridefully elevating themselves based on human criteria, worldly accomplishments, and superficial attributes, Paul, adopting their terminology, declares his intention to also boast. This statement introduces an ironic and strategic twist, as Paul's subsequent "boasting" will paradoxically focus on his weaknesses, sufferings, and the humble marks of genuine apostolic ministry, thereby exposing the hollowness of his rivals' fleshly boasts.

2 Corinthians 11 18 Context

This verse appears in 2 Corinthians, specifically within chapters 10-13, which are often referred to as Paul's "fool's speech" or his final and most vigorous defense of his apostolic ministry to the Corinthians. Throughout both letters, Paul faced challenges to his authority, accusations of weakness, and the Corinthians' admiration for eloquent and impressive speakers who contrasted with Paul's more humble appearance and straightforward speech. The "many" referred to in this verse are the "super-apostles" or false teachers who had infiltrated the Corinthian church. These rivals were likely impressive in their outward presentation, rhetorical skills, Jewish credentials, or claims of extraordinary spiritual experiences. Paul is compelled to boast (against his usual principles) because the Corinthians seem swayed by this worldly display of power and achievement. He explicitly states in verse 17 that he is speaking "not according to the Lord, but as a fool," indicating the highly ironic nature of his impending self-praise, which will ultimately subvert their conventional understanding of strength and authority.

2 Corinthians 11 18 Word analysis

• Since (Επεὶ - Epei): This conjunction introduces a causal or temporal relationship. It establishes that Paul's action of boasting is a direct response to the prior action of "many" boasting, indicating his decision is reactive and deliberate.
• many (πολλοὶ - polloi): Refers specifically to a large number of Paul's opponents and rival teachers in Corinth. It implies a widespread and influential challenge, highlighting the pressure Paul feels to respond.
• boast (καυχῶνται - kauchōntai): The present tense (ongoing action) and middle voice (they boast themselves) of kauchaomai (to boast, to glory, to brag). It denotes their habitual practice of self-exaltation. This verb is morally neutral on its own, but its context here, especially "according to the flesh," makes it negative.
• according to (κατὰ - kata): A preposition that here specifies the standard or basis of their boasting. Their claims are derived from, and evaluated by, a specific framework.
• the flesh (σάρκα - sarka): The Greek term sarx in this context refers to human nature, worldly standards, outward appearance, human lineage, accomplishments, or abilities, as opposed to divine power or spiritual reality. It does not primarily denote "sinful nature" here, but rather anything that originates from human effort or perception and not from God. It highlights the superficial and earthly nature of the rivals' boasts.
• I too (κἀγὼ - kagō): This emphatic combination of kai (and/also) and egō (I) underscores Paul's reluctant but firm decision to engage. He mirrors their action, signaling a challenge on their own terms, but with a drastically different content.
• will boast (καυχήσομαι - kauchēsomai): Future tense of kauchaomai. This indicates Paul's intention and a calculated strategic move. He is not swept away by pride, but consciously decides to enter into a boasting contest, knowing that his "boast" will ironically expose their emptiness.

• "many boast according to the flesh": This phrase directly identifies the problem. The rivals base their authority and perceived superiority on criteria that are human-centric, worldly, and ultimately temporary and hollow in God's eyes. These include things like eloquence, physical presence, letters of recommendation, ethnic background, or special revelatory experiences interpreted in a humanly boastful way.
• "I too will boast": Paul's tactical and ironic declaration. He does not genuinely adopt their standard of boasting. Instead, he prepares to subvert it by "boasting" in his weaknesses, sufferings, and the counter-cultural marks of his apostleship (as seen in the rest of chapter 11 and 12). He steps into their arena only to demonstrate its folly and point to true divine strength found in apparent weakness.

2 Corinthians 11 18 Bonus section

Paul's willingness to "boast" in this unique, subversive manner highlights the pastoral challenge he faced in Corinth. He was forced to speak in a way that, to some, might appear inconsistent with his earlier teaching (e.g., 1 Cor 1:31). However, his ultimate aim was to secure the Corinthians' allegiance to Christ and protect them from false teaching, even if it meant temporarily engaging in rhetorical warfare on his adversaries' terms. This paradoxical boasting anticipates the full exposition of his "thorn in the flesh" in chapter 12, where he emphatically states, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Cor 12:9). This move from reluctant agreement to confident redefinition of boasting showcases a crucial theological principle: God's power often manifests most clearly not in human strength and impressive display, but in humility, weakness, and dependence on Him.

2 Corinthians 11 18 Commentary

In 2 Corinthians 11:18, Paul sets the stage for his ironic "fool's speech." He observes that his opponents in Corinth, likely the "super-apostles" described as false and deceitful, are basing their claims to authority and their appeals for the Corinthians' allegiance on worldly achievements, impressive personal qualities, or external credentials. These "boasts according to the flesh" refer to anything that human beings might value as strength, wisdom, or power from a worldly perspective. Faced with this situation, and sensing that the Corinthians are being swayed by such superficial displays, Paul reluctantly declares he will also boast. This is not a genuine adoption of their prideful methodology, but rather a strategic rhetorical move. He will expose the emptiness of their boasts by contrasting them with his true apostolic credentials, which ironically consist of his sufferings, weaknesses, and his reliance solely on God's power—things the world deems unimpressive. His boasting becomes a means to reveal divine strength perfected in human weakness, an anti-boast that paradoxically validates his true calling.