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 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 11:21 | If anyone else is accounted a boaster, he boasts of anything. | Direct contrast, necessity of boasting |
| 2 Cor 11:22 | Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. | Paul lists shared heritage |
| 2 Cor 10:7 | Does one present you by outward appearance? If any man thinks himself Christ’s, let him consider this again, that as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. | Countering false claims of closeness to Christ |
| Gal 1:13-14 | For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it; And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. | Paul's strong Jewish background and zeal |
| Phil 3:4-6 | Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof to trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. | Paul's extensive credentials according to Jewish law |
| Acts 22:3 | I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. | Paul himself stating his qualifications |
| John 8:39 | They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. | Emphasis on true heritage vs. superficial claims |
| Rom 9:3-5 | For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. | Paul's deep concern and recognition of Jewish heritage |
| Deut 7:6 | For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. | Israel's chosen status |
| Ex 19:5-6 | Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. | God's declaration of Israel's unique status |
| 1 Cor 1:12 | Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. | Division and reliance on human leaders |
| 1 Cor 1:13 | Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? | Questioning allegiance to Paul |
| 2 Cor 10:10 | For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. | False accusations against Paul |
| 2 Cor 12:11 | I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. | Paul's self-professed foolishness and assertion of equality |
| 2 Cor 3:5 | Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; | Divine source of ability, not fleshly |
| 1 Cor 9:15 | But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should boast. | Paul refusing to use his rights for boasting |
| John 3:27 | John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. | Anything received is a gift from God |
| 1 Sam 2:3 | Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. | Warning against pride |
| Prov 27:2 | Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. | The principle of not boasting in oneself |
| Rom 12:3 | For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. | Exhortation against inflated self-opinion |
2 Corinthians 11 verses
2 Corinthians 11 18 Meaning
In this verse, Paul contrasts the proud boasting of the "super-apostles" with his own spiritual pedigree, which they wrongly perceive as foolishness. He declares that if they, boasting according to the flesh, are proud, then he, too, will boast according to the flesh. However, he immediately implies this is a matter of necessity due to their challenges, not a natural inclination for himself. His boasting is driven by their pressures.
2 Corinthians 11 18 Context
In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul is in the midst of a passionate defense of his apostolic ministry, directly countering the attacks of "super-apostles" in Corinth. These rivals were undermining Paul's authority by emphasizing their own perceived strengths, likely in their lineage, rhetorical skill, and perhaps financial standing. They were appealing to Jewish identity and tradition to legitimize their claims. Paul, responding to their persistent boasting about their fleshly advantages, finds himself compelled to do likewise, although he views such boasting as foolishness and something done out of necessity due to the pressures they exert. He meticulously lists his own qualifications derived from his Jewish heritage, demonstrating that he possessed equivalent, if not superior, credentials in their terms, thereby exposing the vanity of their reliance on the flesh. This sets the stage for him to further highlight his reliance on God and the spiritual sufferings he endured for Christ, which are true marks of apostleship.
2 Corinthians 11 18 Word Analysis
εἰ (ei): "if" - A conditional particle introducing a hypothetical situation.
γάρ (gar): "for" - A conjunction used for explanation or causation, linking this statement to previous assertions or the overall argument.
παρρησιάσομαι (parrēsiasomai): "I will boast" - Future indicative, first person singular of parrēsiázomai, which can mean "to speak freely" or "to boast." In this context, it carries the sense of making a bold or public declaration of one's merits or achievements. It’s related to parrhēsia (frankness of speech, boldness). Paul uses it here in a context where boasting is happening, even though he often disdains it.
καὶ (kai): "and" / "even" - A conjunction used for connecting clauses or words, here linking "if they boast" to "I will boast."
ἐν (en): "in" - A preposition indicating the sphere or context.
σαρκί (sarki): "flesh" - Dative singular of sarx, meaning flesh, referring to human nature, the physical body, or one's human, earthly heritage and qualifications, as distinct from spiritual attributes. The opponents are boasting in these physical, humanly perceptible advantages. Paul admits to boasting "in the flesh" as well, but this is under duress and according to their terms, not his own preference.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- εἰ γὰρ παρρησιάσομαι καὶ ἐὰν (ei gar parrēsiasomai kai ean) - "For if I will boast even if" (This anticipates a further condition. The NIV translates as "If others have a reason for confidence in regard to this life, then I have more.") Paul is setting up a comparison. He's acknowledging their mode of boasting and indicating he will engage with it on those terms if necessary. The structure implies a concession followed by an assertion of superiority in that very area.
- καὶ ἐὰν πλεῖον (kai ean pleion) - "and if more" - This phrase anticipates the reason why Paul will boast. He implies that his credentials in the "flesh" (his heritage and religious standing according to human standards) are actually superior to theirs. The "more" refers to his claims about his advantages within that framework.
- ἐν σαρκί (en sarki) - "in flesh" - This prepositional phrase defines the basis of the boasting Paul is addressing. It’s about advantages tied to physical, earthly, and humanly recognized achievements or status, contrasting with spiritual accomplishments.
2 Corinthians 11 18 Bonus Section
The concept of "boasting in the flesh" (en sarki) reflects a worldview that values human achievement, lineage, and worldly status as measures of worth and authority. This was deeply embedded in Jewish society where ancestry and adherence to the Law were highly prized. The "super-apostles" likely exploited these cultural values. Paul's engagement with this concept, even to the point of claiming more "in the flesh," is strategic. He demonstrates that even on their turf, their claims are unsubstantiated, and he has the credentials to match or exceed them. This tactic is not an endorsement of fleshly boasting, but a necessary argumentative maneuver to deconstruct the false basis of their claims before re-establishing the true basis of apostleship: the power of Christ in weakness and suffering. This is a key Pauline theme—that what the world considers weak or foolish (suffering, humility) is the very medium through which God's power is magnified and revealed.
2 Corinthians 11 18 Commentary
Paul, while viewing boasting in human achievements as foolishness (2 Cor 11:17, 12:11), is compelled by the aggressive tactics of the "super-apostles" to demonstrate his own qualifications on their terms. They were elevating themselves based on what they could point to in their lineage, status, and possibly educational or oratorical prowess – things observable "in the flesh." Paul’s response is not to immediately dismiss their criteria but to show that, even by their own flawed standard, he had more to boast about. He is a Hebrew of Hebrews, an Israelite, a Pharisee, and exceptionally zealous for the Law (Phil 3:4-6). These are concrete, undeniable qualifications from a Jewish perspective. By asserting he will boast "in flesh" if they do, he is implicitly claiming superiority in this very domain, not to glorify himself, but to neutralize their slander and reveal the superficiality of their ministry, preparing them to understand that true apostolic authority lies in Christ's power and suffering, not in fleshly achievements. His boasting is reactive, forced by circumstance, not proactive self-aggrandizement.