2 Corinthians 11 20

2 Corinthians 11:20 kjv

For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

2 Corinthians 11:20 nkjv

For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.

2 Corinthians 11:20 niv

In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face.

2 Corinthians 11:20 esv

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.

2 Corinthians 11:20 nlt

You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 20 Meaning

In 2 Corinthians 11:20, the Apostle Paul uses a rhetorical device to highlight the astonishing inconsistency of the Corinthian believers. He describes five escalating acts of abuse and exploitation by false teachers, noting that the Corinthians readily tolerate such behavior, even while questioning Paul's own humble, non-exploitative ministry. This verse underscores the perversion of true apostolic leadership, which seeks to serve and liberate, versus the false teachers who enslave, devour, exploit, and demean God's people.

2 Corinthians 11 20 Context

2 Corinthians 11:20 is situated within Paul's impassioned and ironic defense of his apostolic ministry, often referred to as his "fool's speech" (11:1-21). He is compelled to boast (against his inclination) because false teachers, often called "super-apostles," have infiltrated the Corinthian church. These teachers likely impressed the Corinthians with their eloquent rhetoric, aristocratic manners, and demands for payment, in stark contrast to Paul's humble demeanor and refusal to accept financial support. The broader context of 2 Corinthians reveals Paul battling challenges to his authority, accusations of weakness, and claims that his ministry lacked the "signs" of a true apostle. Chapter 11 particularly focuses on the deceitful nature of these false apostles who disguise themselves as "apostles of Christ" (11:13). This verse forms the climax of Paul's critique, exposing the hypocritical acceptance of abuse by the Corinthians from those they admired, while criticizing the genuine apostle who loved and served them freely. Historically, Corinth was a city valuing oratorical skill, status, and shrewd business dealings, making the Corinthians susceptible to the deceptive charisma and self-serving nature of these false leaders who presented a form of "superior" spirituality, which Paul implicitly critiques by contrasting their abusive practices with his own humble service.

2 Corinthians 11 20 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): An explanatory conjunction, linking this verse to the preceding observation in verse 19 that the Corinthians "gladly bear with fools" because they are so wise. It introduces the concrete examples of the kind of foolishness (tolerance of abuse) Paul is referring to.

• you put up with it (ἀνέχεσθε - anechesthe): From the root ἀνέχω (anechō), meaning "to hold up, bear with, endure, tolerate." This word highlights the Corinthians' surprising patience and passive acceptance of the harmful behavior. It implies a willing endurance, rather than forced submission, emphasizing their complicity.

• if someone enslaves you (εἴ τις ὑμᾶς καταδουλοῖ - ei tis hymas katadouloi):

  • καταδουλοῖ (katadouloi): From καταδουλόω (katadouloō), meaning "to enslave, to bring into bondage, to treat as a slave." This is a strong term for subjugation, indicating complete domination and control. The false apostles were not just guiding, but actively suppressing the freedom and autonomy of the believers, binding them to their own will, reminiscent of a slavemaster-slave relationship, fundamentally opposed to the freedom Christ offers (Gal 5:1).

• if someone devours you (εἴ τις ὑμᾶς κατεσθίει - ei tis hymas katesthiei):

  • κατεσθίει (katesthiei): From κατεσθίω (katesthiō), meaning "to eat up, consume, devour entirely." This is a vivid metaphor for economic exploitation. The false teachers were draining the Corinthians of their financial resources, preying on their possessions and wealth for their own gain (cf. Mt 23:14). It implies complete consumption and leaving nothing behind.

• if someone takes advantage of you (εἴ τις ὑμᾶς λαμβάνει - ei tis hymas lambanei):

  • λαμβάνει (lambanei): From λαμβάνω (lambanō), meaning "to take, seize, grasp, receive, get." In this context, it often implies "to take for oneself," to gain profit or defraud. It speaks to exploitation and making gains at others' expense, perhaps through deceptive means, or securing unfair advantage over them.

• if someone exalts himself (εἴ τις ἐπαίρεται - ei tis epairetai):

  • ἐπαίρεται (epairetai): From ἐπαίρω (epairō), meaning "to lift oneself up, to raise oneself above, to be proud, to be arrogant." This refers to the false apostles' haughty, self-important demeanor and boastful claims of superiority. This directly contrasts with Christ's humility and Paul's own humble, serving leadership (Php 2:3, 1 Pet 5:5-6). It points to their pride and authoritarianism.

• if someone strikes you on the face (εἴ τις ὑμᾶς εἰς πρόσωπον δέρει - ei tis hymas eis prosōpon derei):

  • εἰς πρόσωπον (eis prosōpon): "on the face." This specifies the target of the strike.
  • δέρει (derei): From δέρω (derō), meaning "to skin, flay, beat, flog." This is the most shocking and visceral image in the list, representing not just physical abuse but deep humiliation, insult, and open contempt. A slap or strike to the face was a profound act of public dishonor in that culture, demonstrating utter contempt for the person struck.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "you put up with it if someone...": This opening clause establishes the bewildering paradox – the Corinthians willingly tolerate such behaviors, showing their misguided allegiance and poor judgment regarding true leadership.
  • "enslaves you, devours you, takes advantage of you": These three phrases progressively detail various forms of material and personal exploitation. They move from controlling one's very being ("enslaves") to stripping away possessions ("devours") and gaining improper profit ("takes advantage"), all detrimental to the believers' spiritual and physical well-being.
  • "exalts himself, strikes you on the face": These two describe the interpersonal abuse – first the arrogant pride and self-importance of the false teachers, then culminating in outright physical and humiliating violence. This creates a rhetorical climax, moving from financial exploitation to personal degradation and physical assault, underscoring the severe nature of the abuse the Corinthians passively accept.

2 Corinthians 11 20 Bonus section

The rhetorical force of 2 Corinthians 11:20 lies in Paul's strategic use of hyperbole and shock. By listing such severe abuses, he intends to jolt the Corinthians into recognizing the true character of the "super-apostles" they admired. The very absurdity of believers willingly enduring enslavement and physical assault emphasizes their deep spiritual confusion and the magnetic appeal of these false teachers, whose sophisticated rhetoric likely masked their destructive intentions. Paul is not merely describing minor disagreements but fundamentally corrupt leadership that stands in stark opposition to Christ's model of servant leadership. The sequence of actions—from internal spiritual/social bondage (enslaves) to financial ruin (devours, takes advantage), culminating in outright disdain and violence (exalts, strikes)—presents a devastating portrait of false leadership, urging the Corinthians to reflect on their perverse tolerance and return to gospel truth.

2 Corinthians 11 20 Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:20 serves as a biting indictment of the Corinthian church's spiritual discernment, using extreme examples of abuse to expose their misguided loyalty. Paul highlights the tragic irony: they endure harsh exploitation and humiliation from charlatans while critically scrutinizing Paul, who tirelessly served them in humility and freedom. The escalating nature of the abuses, from enslavement and financial devastation to arrogant posturing and physical assault, portrays a full spectrum of tyranny. Paul's intent is not to accuse the Corinthians of being actual slaves, but to show how completely the false apostles controlled and used them. This rhetorical question forces them to confront their blindness: why would they tolerate such contempt from those claiming spiritual authority, yet find fault with an apostle who lived sacrificially for their good? The verse powerfully illustrates the deceptive nature of false ministry, which promises greatness but delivers oppression and personal gain for the "ministers" at the cost of the flock.