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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerance of Folly/False Teachers | ||
| Gal 1:6-7 | I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you... and turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you... | Warning against quickly accepting false gospels. |
| Acts 20:29-30 | I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things... | Paul's prophecy of false teachers within the church. |
| 2 Pet 2:1-3 | But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you... And in their greed these will exploit you... | Warning against false teachers exploiting believers. |
| Jer 5:31 | the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so... | People's complicity in accepting false leaders. |
| Matt 7:15-16 | Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. | Discerning false prophets by their actions. |
| Rom 16:17-18 | I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine... By smooth talk... they deceive... | Avoid those causing division through deceptive talk. |
| Divine vs. Human Wisdom/Folly | ||
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Folly's rejection of Godly wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 1:18-25 | For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... | God's wisdom appears as folly to the world. |
| 1 Cor 3:18-20 | Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise... | Worldly wisdom is foolishness to God. |
| Jas 3:13-17 | Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom... not earthly, unspiritual... but from above. | Contrasting earthly (foolish) and heavenly wisdom. |
| Paul's Sarcasm and Self-Defense | ||
| 2 Cor 11:1 | I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! | Paul prefaces his "foolish" boasting. |
| 2 Cor 11:16-17 | 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... | Paul adopts the persona of a "fool" to respond. |
| 2 Cor 12:11 | I have been a fool! You yourselves compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles... | Paul's forced foolishness due to Corinthians' lack of support. |
| 1 Cor 4:8-10 | Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! ...We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ... | Paul uses biting sarcasm to highlight their spiritual pride. |
| Boasting - True vs. False | ||
| 2 Cor 10:17-18 | "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. | Boasting should be in the Lord, not oneself. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me... | Proper object of boasting is knowing God, not human achievements. |
| Phil 3:3-4 | For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. | Contrasting boasting in the flesh vs. in Christ. |
| Warning Against Deceivers/Exploiters | ||
| 2 Cor 11:20 | For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. | Elaborating on how they tolerate exploitation. |
| Gal 6:7-8 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption... | Warning against self-deception in spiritual matters. |
| Matt 23:2-4 | "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. | Hypocritical leaders are not to be emulated. |
2 Corinthians 11 verses
2 Corinthians 11 19 Meaning
This verse from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians is a sharp, sarcastic remark highlighting the church's misplaced discernment and tolerance. Paul implies that the Corinthian believers, despite considering themselves wise and mature, readily tolerate and even welcome foolish teachers and teachings from the "super-apostles." Their supposed wisdom, ironically, blinds them to the deception of these false apostles and permits a destructive influence within their community, in contrast to their critical attitude towards Paul himself. It sets the stage for Paul to elaborately demonstrate the true foolishness of boasting in the flesh.
2 Corinthians 11 19 Context
Chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians finds Paul passionately defending his apostolic authority and integrity against encroaching "super-apostles" or false teachers in Corinth. These rivals undermined Paul's ministry by touting their eloquent speech, demanding payment, and boasting about their supposed spiritual superiority. Paul, concerned that the Corinthians are being led astray from a "sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (11:3), feels compelled to "act like a fool" by reluctantly boasting about his own credentials and sufferings, a method he usually eschews. Verses 16-18 explicitly introduce Paul's ironic turn, stating he will speak as a "fool" because the Corinthians tolerate boasting. Verse 19 then follows as a direct, sardonic observation, reinforcing that the Corinthians are so tolerant of fools (the false teachers) due to their self-perception of wisdom, creating the rationale for Paul's subsequent extended boasting about his legitimate credentials and sacrifices in verses 21-33.
2 Corinthians 11 19 Word analysis
- For (γὰρ - gar): This conjunction indicates a logical connection, explaining or justifying the preceding statement. Here, it supports why Paul is speaking as a "fool." It signals that the following statement (the Corinthians' tolerance of fools) is the reason Paul is forced to engage in foolish boasting.
- you (ὑμεῖς - hymeis): The emphatic second-person plural pronoun ("you yourselves"). It sharply distinguishes the Corinthians, highlighting their specific behavior and responsibility. Paul places the onus directly on them.
- gladly (ἡδέως - hēdeōs): An adverb meaning "with pleasure," "willingly," "happily." This intensifies Paul's sarcasm. It's not just that they bear with fools, but they do so willingly, almost gleefully, indicating a deep failure of discernment or an attraction to superficiality.
- bear with (ἀνέχεσθε - anechesthe): Present tense, indicative verb, meaning "to put up with," "to endure," "to tolerate." It describes an ongoing, active choice by the Corinthians to accept and tolerate these individuals, despite their true nature. This tolerance contrasts sharply with their judgment of Paul.
- fools (ἀφρόνων - aphrónōn): The genitive plural of aphrōn, meaning "senseless," "stupid," "unwise," or "devoid of understanding." In this context, it directly refers to the false apostles who operate with human "wisdom" but lack true spiritual understanding or integrity, and who exploit the church. The term appears frequently in this section of 2 Corinthians (e.g., 11:1, 16, 17, 21; 12:6, 11).
- being (ὄντες - óntes): Present participle of the verb "to be." It denotes a continuous state of "being." Here, it connects "you" with their perceived wisdom, reinforcing their current self-identity.
- so wise (φρόνιμοι - phrónimoi): The nominative plural of phrónimos, meaning "sensible," "prudent," "intelligent," "shrewd," or "wise." This is the core of Paul's biting sarcasm. He ironically acknowledges their self-perception as having practical wisdom and good judgment, in stark contrast to their actual willingness to tolerate foolish deceivers. The root phrēn relates to the mind or understanding, implying a self-assured intellect.
- yourselves! (αὐτοί - autoi): The nominative plural intensive pronoun, "you yourselves" or "even you." This word provides added emphasis to phrónimoi. It means "you, even you," or "you yourselves," stressing their individual and collective responsibility in this paradox. The exclamation point in modern translations correctly captures the emphatic and ironic tone.
Words-group analysis
- For you gladly bear with fools: Paul asserts the Corinthians' cheerful endurance of unwise people (the false apostles). This acceptance demonstrates a spiritual laxity or misguided priority, implying they prefer superficial charm or impressive rhetoric over the genuine, sacrificial ministry Paul embodies. The term "gladly" suggests not merely a passive toleration, but an active, willing engagement or reception.
- being so wise yourselves!: This clause functions as a caustic jab. Paul attributes an inflated sense of wisdom to the Corinthians that stands in sharp ironic contrast to their actions. Their "wisdom" fails to protect them from exploitation by genuine "fools," exposing their discernment as flawed and self-deceived. This rhetorical strategy serves to shame them into a more critical assessment of their judgment.
2 Corinthians 11 19 Bonus section
Paul's repeated use of the terms aphrōn (foolish) and phrónimos (wise) in 2 Corinthians, particularly in chapters 10-12, establishes a rhetorical pattern known as the "apostolic folly." He ironically adopts the persona of a fool to speak on the same level as his rivals, using their own method of boasting against them, while simultaneously critiquing this method. This allows him to engage their arguments head-on without compromising the gospel. By calling the Corinthians "wise," he highlights their intellectual arrogance and misplaced confidence in worldly judgment over spiritual discernment, echoing broader Pauline themes regarding human wisdom vs. God's wisdom (1 Cor 1-3). This ironic statement is not merely a complaint; it's a strategic move to disarm his opponents by exposing the illogical and self-defeating behavior of the Corinthian church.
2 Corinthians 11 19 Commentary
Paul's utterance in 2 Corinthians 11:19 is steeped in dramatic irony and pointed sarcasm, serving as a pivotal statement in his defense against false apostles. He addresses the Corinthians' paradoxical behavior: they proudly consider themselves "wise," yet they gladly (with readiness and even a degree of pleasure) tolerate and support the genuinely "foolish" teachings and exploitative practices of the "super-apostles." This willingness to bear with these imposters highlights a profound spiritual immaturity or a misdirection of their perceived discernment.
By ironically affirming their "wisdom," Paul subtly shames them, exposing their discernment as deeply flawed. He sets the stage for demonstrating how these so-called "wise" Corinthians are, in fact, allowing themselves to be exploited (as detailed in 2 Cor 11:20), further underscoring the hollowness of their self-proclaimed intelligence. This rhetorical strategy is designed to shock them into recognizing the true nature of their situation and to draw them back to a genuine, unwavering devotion to Christ. The implication is that if they are so wise, they should be able to differentiate between Paul, who truly cares for them, and those who seek to ensnare and exploit them.