2 Corinthians 11 31

2 Corinthians 11:31 kjv

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

2 Corinthians 11:31 nkjv

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

2 Corinthians 11:31 niv

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.

2 Corinthians 11:31 esv

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

2 Corinthians 11:31 nlt

God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 31 Meaning

In 2 Corinthians 11:31, Paul solemnly calls upon God, identified as the God and Father of the Lord Jesus and the eternally blessed One, as his witness. This oath underscores the absolute truthfulness of his statements, specifically within the context of his "foolish boasting" regarding his ministry and sufferings, as he defends his apostleship against the false teachers in Corinth. It is an appeal to divine omniscience and integrity to validate his own, asserting that God knows he is speaking honestly and without deception.

2 Corinthians 11 31 Context

This verse is embedded within Paul's fervent and, as he admits, "foolish" self-defense against false apostles or "super-apostles" who had infiltrated the Corinthian church. These individuals sought to undermine Paul's authority, integrity, and genuine apostleship. Paul's critics often attacked him on various fronts: his humble appearance, his refusal to accept financial support from the Corinthians (which they twisted into a sign that he wasn't a true apostle, unlike their financially demanding leaders), and his claims of visions and revelations.

Chapter 11 sees Paul forced to "boast" against his nature and inclination, employing rhetoric similar to his opponents to expose their hypocrisy and to demonstrate his own legitimate ministry and extraordinary sufferings for Christ. Leading up to verse 31, Paul is emphasizing his purity of motives, particularly concerning his financial independence, to protect the Corinthians and ensure the gospel was preached without hindrance (2 Cor 11:7-10). He is about to embark on a lengthy list of his sufferings and perils (2 Cor 11:23-29), which stood in stark contrast to the comfortable boasting of the false apostles. Verse 31 acts as a solemn, divine validation for the veracity of everything he has said, and is about to say, especially regarding the sincerity and suffering of his ministry.

2 Corinthians 11 31 Word analysis

• The God: ὁ θεὸς (ho Theos). Refers to the singular, true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and now the Father of Jesus. It is not an abstract concept but a personal deity to whom Paul appeals directly. The definite article emphasizes a specific, recognized God.
• and Father: καὶ πατὴρ (kai Patēr). Identifies God in a covenantal, relational way, especially through Jesus Christ. For Paul, the Fatherhood of God is foundational to Christian faith and redemption. It highlights God's unique authority and benevolent care.
• of the Lord: τοῦ κυρίου (tou Kyriou). Kyrios is a weighty title meaning master, owner, or supreme authority, also used to translate the divine name Yahweh in the Septuagint. Applying it to Jesus affirms His divinity and sovereignty.
• Jesus: Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou). The earthly name of the Christ, linking the divine oath to the specific historical person through whom God's ultimate plan of salvation unfolded.
• who is blessed: ὁ ὢν εὐλογητὸς (ho ōn eulogētos). A strong theological statement (doxology) meaning "He who exists as the blessed one" or "He who is worthy of all praise." eulogētos signifies "praised" or "worshipped." This divine attribute underlines God's intrinsic holiness and worthiness. It is not something added to God, but inherent in His nature. This phrasing often introduces or concludes a statement of praise, common in Jewish and early Christian writing.
• forever: εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας (eis tous aiōnas). Literally "unto the ages," implying eternity, without end. This reinforces God's eternal nature and immutable character. It also gives greater weight to Paul's oath, as he invokes an eternal, unchangeable witness.
• knows: οἶδεν (oidēn). From oida, to know absolutely, instinctively, perfectly, by direct insight. This is not mere speculation or assumption but certain, unclouded comprehension. It emphasizes God's omniscience – His total and perfect knowledge of all things, including the secret motives and thoughts of men.
• that: ὅτι (hoti). Introduces the content of what God knows.
• I am not lying: οὐ ψεύδομαι (ou pseudomai). pseudomai means "to speak falsely, to deceive, to lie." ou is the direct negation. Paul directly and emphatically states his absolute truthfulness. This refutes any accusations that he is deceitful, manipulating, or exaggerating his claims. This personal and present tense "I am not lying" is a powerful, unwavering declaration of integrity, essential given the attacks on his character.

Words-group analysis:

• "The God and Father of the Lord Jesus": This phrasing uniquely identifies the Christian God as revealed through Christ. It's both monotheistic (one God) and specifies the redemptive relationship God now holds through His Son. It also grounds Paul's authority in this specific revelation, setting it apart from any pagan deities or vague concepts of divinity. It is the specific God of Paul's mission, whom he serves.
• "who is blessed forever": This is an immediate, reverent doxology acknowledging God's inherent majesty, eternal nature, and deservingness of unending praise. Its inclusion immediately after identifying God underscores the profound respect and awe with which Paul invokes Him. It's a statement of ultimate theological truth. It adds gravitas to the oath, aligning it with the highest possible divine standard.
• "knows that I am not lying": This is the core of Paul's oath. It places the ultimate seal of divine witness on his words. Given the context of intense slander and challenge to his authenticity, this is the strongest possible assertion of his integrity. It shifts the burden of proof from mere human argument to the divine testimony, implying that to disbelieve Paul is, in essence, to doubt God's perfect knowledge.

2 Corinthians 11 31 Bonus section

The specific form of the oath, using ὁ ὢν εὐλογητὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας ("who is blessed forever"), is a classic Jewish doxological formula (Baruch 1:20; Psalms 72:19) adopted by early Christians. Paul frequently uses similar expressions (e.g., Rom 1:25, Rom 9:5) demonstrating both his Jewish roots and how these expressions were integrated into a distinctively Christian theological context. Its inclusion not only provides reverence to God but also enhances the formal and unbreakable nature of Paul's solemn assertion of truth. This makes his oath resonate with deeply held theological reverence and gravity for his audience, reminding them of the unchanging and absolute nature of the God by whom Paul swears. Such a powerful divine affirmation served as a stark contrast to the hollow boasts and deceptions of the "super-apostles."

2 Corinthians 11 31 Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:31 stands as a powerful testament to Paul's profound integrity and the depth of the challenges he faced in Corinth. Forced to engage in the "boasting" of his opponents to protect his converts from false teaching, Paul reluctantly enumerates his credentials, particularly his willingness to suffer for the Gospel. Amidst this counter-boasting, he makes this solemn appeal to God, specifically as "the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever." This specific phrasing is crucial; it anchors his truth claim in the ultimate Christian revelation, testifying to God's omniscient involvement and Paul's personal relationship with Him.

The use of an oath was not to be taken lightly, especially given Jesus' teaching on oaths. However, Paul's invocation here is not for a trivial matter, but for a truth foundational to his apostolic authority and the spiritual well-being of the Corinthians. It is a moment of deep spiritual urgency, where Paul presents his very soul and mission before the perfect, eternal witness of God. He affirms that he has nothing to hide and is utterly sincere. His defense, including the subsequent list of extraordinary sufferings, is thus placed under divine endorsement, emphasizing that God, who cannot lie, also knows that His servant does not lie. It underscores the ultimate confidence Paul had in God's oversight and his own blamelessness before Him, providing a model for those who serve Christ to conduct their ministry with truth and transparency, knowing their ultimate witness is God.