2 Corinthians 11:19 kjv
For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
2 Corinthians 11:19 nkjv
For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise!
2 Corinthians 11:19 niv
You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise!
2 Corinthians 11:19 esv
For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!
2 Corinthians 11:19 nlt
After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools!
2 Corinthians 11 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Corinthians 11:1 | Oh, that you would bear with me in a little foolishness—and indeed you do bear with me! | Comparison of spiritual fruit |
| 2 Corinthians 11:17 | Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, | God as source of strength |
| 2 Corinthians 12:11 | I have made myself a fool; you forced me to it. For I ought to have been commended by you. | Paul's self-defense |
| Galatians 4:12 | I plead with you, brethren,—become like me, for I also have become like you.—You have not injured me at all. | Emulating the apostles |
| Philippians 1:15 | Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and rivalry, but others also from good will. | Motives of preachers |
| 1 Thessalonians 2:11 | As you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, | Fatherly admonition |
| Romans 15:14 | Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. | Mutual admonition |
| 1 Corinthians 4:14 | I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. | Apostolic concern |
| John 10:10 | The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. | True shepherd vs. others |
| Jeremiah 23:32 | “Indeed I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the LORD, “and who tell them and cause My people to stray by their lies and by their recklessness. But I did not send them or command them; they are not profitable to this people at all,” says the LORD. | False prophets condemned |
| Proverbs 14:30 | A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones. | Consequences of envy |
| 1 Samuel 18:8 | And Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; Saul said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands of thousands. There is nothing more he lacks but the kingdom!" | Saul's jealousy |
| Matthew 23:31 | Therefore you bear witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. | Judgment on religious leaders |
| Acts 20:30 | Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. | Warning against false teachers |
| 2 Corinthians 10:12 | For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not wise. | Self-commendation |
| 1 Corinthians 1:23 | But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness, | Christ the stumbling block |
| 2 Corinthians 11:18 | Since many boast according to the flesh, I will also boast. | Boasting in the flesh |
| 1 Corinthians 2:5 | That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. | Faith in God's power |
| 2 Corinthians 5:13 | For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. | God's glory motivations |
| Colossians 1:28 | Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. | Goal of ministry |
| 1 Peter 5:2-3 | Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising oversight not by compulsion but willingly, and not for shameful gain, but eagerly; nor yet as though you were lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. | Shepherdly conduct |
2 Corinthians 11 verses
2 Corinthians 11 19 Meaning
This verse highlights Paul's ironic embrace of foolishness, deliberately portraying himself as overzealous and perhaps even foolish in the eyes of the Corinthians to underscore his genuine spiritual fatherhood and their own misplaced trust in "super-apostles." He presents himself as so eager and dedicated to their well-being that it appears excessive to those who have a different agenda.
2 Corinthians 11 19 Context
In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul is responding to false apostles who are challenging his authority and legitimacy in Corinth. These individuals, often referred to as "super-apostles," were likely boasting about their own achievements, perceived spiritual superiority, and possibly financial success. Paul, by contrast, has been presenting a picture of suffering and self-denial as marks of true apostleship. This verse, specifically 11:19, falls within a section where Paul uses sarcasm and irony. He adopts the very attitude his opponents have, namely boasting, but does so to expose their flawed reasoning and their focus on outward appearances rather than inner reality and genuine spiritual benefit to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 11 19 Word analysis
- "For" (γάρ - gar): Introduces a reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
- "you" (ὑμεῖς - humeis): Refers to the Corinthians.
- "gladly" (ἑκόντως - hekontos): Willingly, voluntarily. The context implies Paul is noting their willingness to tolerate even foolishness from others.
- "bear with" (ἀνέχεσθε - anechesthe): To tolerate, put up with, endure.
- "the foolish" (τῶν μωρῶν - tōn mōrōn): The foolish ones, the senseless, the unintelligent. Here, it refers to those who boast in worldly ways.
- "indeed" (ὄντως - ontos): Truly, actually, in reality. It emphasizes that Paul is not merely guessing but observes this reality.
- "you bear with" (ἀνέχεσθε - anechesthe): The repetition reinforces the point of their tolerance.
- "the wise" (τῶν σοφῶν - tōn sophōn): The wise ones, those who rely on human wisdom and claim superiority.
- "in turn" (καθάπερ - kathaper): As, just as, in the same way. Paul contrasts his foolishness with their acceptance of the "wise."
- "the wise" (σοφοὺς - sophous): The wise ones.
- "you bear with" (ἀνέχεσθε - anechesthe): Again, emphasizing the Corinthians' practice.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "you gladly bear with the foolish": This phrase sets up the ironic contrast. The Corinthians readily tolerate and even seem to admire those who are foolish in Paul's assessment (likely referring to the false apostles' boasts and self-aggrandizement).
- "indeed you bear with the wise": Paul draws a sharp parallel. Their willingness to endure "foolishness" from others is matched by their willingness to tolerate the so-called "wise." The implication is that they are accepting superficial wisdom and enduring genuine apostolic truth (which might appear foolish to them) with impatience or resistance. The "wise" are those who present themselves with impressive credentials or eloquence, but Paul suggests their wisdom is not from God.
2 Corinthians 11 19 Bonus section
The irony is that Paul, in adopting the guise of a "fool" for Christ's sake (2 Cor 11:1, 23), is paradoxically demonstrating true wisdom and genuine fatherly love for the Corinthians. The false apostles, while possibly exhibiting "worldly wisdom," are leading the church astray. Paul’s rhetorical strategy serves to expose the superficiality of their ministry and the Corinthians' susceptibility to it. This emphasizes the theme throughout Paul’s letters that true spirituality is often counter-cultural and not always recognized by worldly standards. His ultimate aim is not self-vindication but the spiritual welfare and maturity of the believers in Corinth.
2 Corinthians 11 19 Commentary
Paul is highlighting a double standard among the Corinthians. They are quick to tolerate and even elevate those who boast about their worldly credentials and wisdom—people Paul labels as "foolish." Conversely, they struggle to patiently endure Paul himself, whose "foolishness" is actually his self-abasement for Christ's sake. He is pointing out their discerning faculty is skewed; they admire superficial glitter (worldly wisdom, boasting) while rejecting true spiritual substance and sacrifice. Paul's rhetorical strategy is to show them how they willingly accept the very thing they reject in him. He states they "gladly bear with the foolish" (likely meaning those who boast or are arrogant in human terms) and then, in an even more pointed statement, declares they "indeed bear with the wise." The latter is ironic; he calls the opponents "wise" sarcastically, meaning they are the ones who think they are wise, but their wisdom is actually foolishness in God's sight. This acceptance of their self-proclaimed "wisdom" at his expense reveals their misplaced loyalty and faulty judgment. He is essentially saying, "If you love tolerating those who appear great and wise by worldly standards, you should at least tolerate me who am bearing this real foolishness for your sake!"