2 Corinthians 11:5 kjv
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
2 Corinthians 11:5 nkjv
For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.
2 Corinthians 11:5 niv
I do not think I am in the least inferior to those "super-apostles."
2 Corinthians 11:5 esv
Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.
2 Corinthians 11:5 nlt
But I don't consider myself inferior in any way to these "super apostles" who teach such things.
2 Corinthians 11 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 11:1 | "I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness..." | Paul's "foolish" boasting begins. |
| 2 Cor 11:4 | "For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus..." | Introduction of false teaching by false apostles. |
| 2 Cor 11:6 | "Even if I am unskilled in speech, I am not in knowledge..." | Paul's defense against rhetorical criticism. |
| 2 Cor 11:13 | "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen..." | Explicit identification of the "super-apostles." |
| 2 Cor 11:22 | "Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I." | Paul demonstrates his Jewish heritage. |
| 2 Cor 12:11 | "I have become a fool in boasting; you yourselves compelled me." | Paul reaffirms his reluctance to boast. |
| Gal 1:1 | "Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ..." | Paul's divine appointment as an apostle. |
| Gal 2:6 | "But from those who seemed to be important—whatever they were makes no difference..." | Paul's independence from human authority. |
| 1 Cor 9:1-2 | "Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?" | Paul's claim to apostolic rights and qualifications. |
| 1 Cor 15:8-10 | "...last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me..." | Paul's call by Christ and his humility. |
| Rom 1:1 | "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle..." | Emphasizes his divine call to apostleship. |
| Acts 9:15 | "...he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to carry My name..." | Christ's direct call of Paul for ministry. |
| Phil 3:4-6 | "If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more..." | Paul recounts his human qualifications and status. |
| Matt 28:19-20 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..." | The Great Commission given to all apostles. |
| Eph 2:20 | "...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets..." | Apostles are foundational to the church. |
| 1 Tim 2:7 | "For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle..." | Paul's divinely appointed role. |
| Jer 1:5 | "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." | Example of a prophet's pre-ordained calling. |
| Luke 6:13 | "...he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles..." | Christ's appointment of the original twelve. |
| 2 Pet 2:1 | "But false prophets also appeared among the people..." | Warning against false teachers, similar to false apostles. |
| Acts 20:29-30 | "...fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock..." | Paul's prophecy of false teachers within the church. |
| Deut 13:1-5 | "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you..." | Old Testament warning against false prophets. |
| 1 John 4:1 | "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits..." | The need to test those claiming spiritual authority. |
2 Corinthians 11 verses
2 Corinthians 11 5 Meaning
Paul asserts with reasoned conviction that he is in no way, to no degree, behind or deficient compared to those in Corinth whom he ironically labels the "most eminent apostles." He confidently equates his apostolic standing and qualifications with theirs, implying they are not genuinely superior as they claim.
2 Corinthians 11 5 Context
This verse is part of Paul's deeply sarcastic and painful "fool's speech" or "boasting" in 2 Corinthians chapters 10-12. The Corinthian church had been infiltrated by self-proclaimed "super-apostles" or "most eminent apostles," who challenged Paul's authority, ministry methods, and personal integrity. These intruders boasted of their eloquence, spiritual power, and perhaps even their direct association with Christ or other apostles. They critiqued Paul's seemingly unimpressive presence, lack of financial charge, and supposed weakness in speech (2 Cor 10:10, 11:6). In this context, Paul reluctantly engages in a form of boasting, but it's a strategic, ironic, and often counter-cultural boasting in his weaknesses and sufferings, ultimately magnifying Christ rather than himself. Verse 5 is an initial declaration of his unshakeable apostolic legitimacy, laying the groundwork for his subsequent arguments against these false teachers. He is preparing to contrast his genuine ministry with their fraudulent claims.
2 Corinthians 11 5 Word analysis
- For (γάρ - gar): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation. Paul is about to provide the rationale for the preceding thought, particularly why the Corinthians should bear with his "foolishness" or why he feels compelled to defend himself.
- I suppose (λογίζομαι - logizomai): More than a mere guess. This verb implies careful deliberation, calculation, or reckoning. It means "I calculate," "I consider," "I reckon," or "I am convinced." Paul uses it to convey a settled, reasoned conviction, not an uncertain estimation. It often has a logical or accounting sense.
- I am not (οὐδὲν - ouden): A strong negation. "Not at all," "in no way," "in no respect." Combined with the subsequent word, it forms a double negative in Greek, emphasizing the absolute lack of inferiority.
- in the least inferior (ὑστερηκέναι - hysterēkenai): From the verb hysteréō, meaning "to fall short," "to be lacking," "to come late," or "to be inferior." The perfect infinitive ("to have fallen short" or "to have been inferior") indicates an enduring state. Paul is stating he has never, and does not now, fall short in any apostolic capacity. This directly addresses the charges leveled against him by the false apostles.
- to the most eminent apostles (τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων - tōn hyperlian apostolōn): This is Paul's highly sarcastic and ironic term for the false apostles challenging him in Corinth.
- hyperlian (ὑπερλίαν): "Excessively," "exceedingly," "super-." It intensifies the subsequent word, creating the idea of "super-apostles." It's not a standard designation but Paul's invented, pejorative label.
- apostolōn (ἀποστόλων): "Apostles." Literally, "one sent forth." This term normally denotes those directly commissioned by Christ, but Paul here applies it sarcastically to those falsely claiming superior authority. He does not genuinely acknowledge their apostleship.
- Word-group Analysis:
- I suppose I am not in the least inferior: This phrase encapsulates Paul's confident assertion of his full apostolic credentials. It's a statement born of divine conviction, contrasting sharply with the insecure boasting of the "super-apostles." It signals his willingness to challenge their pretensions directly.
- to the most eminent apostles: This is the polemical heart of the verse. Paul employs an ironic honorific to strip away the false dignity of his rivals. By calling them "super-apostles," he simultaneously refers to their self-conception and exposes its absurdity, implying that their "eminence" is self-proclaimed and not divinely conferred.
2 Corinthians 11 5 Bonus section
The nature of Paul's call as an apostle, distinct from the original Twelve yet equally valid (Gal 1:1), plays heavily into this defense. His apostolic authority was based on a direct encounter with the risen Christ (1 Cor 9:1) and divine commission (Acts 9:15), rather than human appointment or impressive rhetorical skills. The "super-apostles" likely appealed to human wisdom, social standing, or charismatic display as indicators of their authority, which Paul deliberately counteracted throughout his letters (1 Cor 1:17-29, 2 Cor 10:10). This verse highlights the timeless challenge for the church: discerning authentic spiritual leadership not by superficial criteria but by faithfulness to Christ, biblical doctrine, and genuine sacrifice for the flock.
2 Corinthians 11 5 Commentary
In 2 Corinthians 11:5, Paul forcefully yet sarcastically rejects any notion of inferiority to the disruptive, self-exalting teachers in Corinth. His declaration "I suppose I am not in the least inferior" is a carefully weighed judgment, reflecting his deep conviction in his divine apostleship, not a casual guess. The term "most eminent apostles" (or "super-apostles") is a trenchant piece of irony, exposing the exaggerated self-importance and spurious authority of those who were undermining his ministry. Paul is not merely defending his personal pride but protecting the truth of the Gospel and the spiritual integrity of the Corinthian church. He understood that a distorted view of apostleship, prioritizing outward charisma, eloquent speech, or self-promotion, directly compromised the humble, Christ-centered message he proclaimed. This verse sets the stage for Paul to elaborate on the true marks of an apostle, which ironically include suffering, weakness, and selfless service, standing in stark contrast to the worldly boasts of his adversaries. His aim is to re-educate the Corinthians on discerning genuine spiritual leadership rooted in divine calling and fidelity to Christ, rather than human credentials.