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 Corinthians 11:6 | Though I am untrained in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this clear to you in every way. | Christ's wisdom, speaking plainly |
| 1 Corinthians 1:17 | For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. | Gospel, not eloquent words |
| 1 Corinthians 2:1 | And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. | Simplicity of message |
| 2 Corinthians 10:13 | But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast within the field that God has apportioned to us, a field that includes you. | Apostolic authority's scope |
| Galatians 2:6 | And from those who were supposed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) those who were supposed to be influential added nothing to me. | True apostles' authority |
| Acts 20:33 | I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. | Purity of ministry |
| 1 Thessalonians 2:5 | For we never came with words of flattery, nor with a pretense for greed—God is our witness. | Sincerity, absence of greed |
| 2 Corinthians 3:1 | Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? | Letters of recommendation |
| 2 Corinthians 10:7 | Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, let him remind himself of this: that just as he belongs to Christ, so do we. | Belonging to Christ |
| 2 Corinthians 10:10 | For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is contemptible." | Criticisms faced by Paul |
| Philippians 1:16 | The one preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry, but the other out of goodwill. | Motivations for preaching |
| 2 Corinthians 12:11 | I have become a fool. You forced me, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to the super-apostles, even though I am nothing. | Comparison with super-apostles |
| 2 Corinthians 12:5 | But I will not boast of anything I do not have in Christ. | Boasting in Christ |
| Romans 1:1 | Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God. | Paul's apostleship |
| 1 Corinthians 9:1 | Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my workmanship in the Lord? | Apostolic credentials |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. | Dependence on Christ |
| Ephesians 3:8 | To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ. | Humility and grace |
| Colossians 1:27 | to them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. | Christ in believers |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. | Witness bearing |
| Jeremiah 1:17 | So you shall go to all to whom I send you, and shall speak to you all that I command you. | Divine commission |
| John 17:14 | I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. | Separation from the world |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. | Spiritual warfare |
2 Corinthians 11 verses
2 Corinthians 11 5 Meaning
This verse asserts that the author believes himself to be in no way inferior to the "super-apostles" or false apostles mentioned. He presents himself as equal to them, and even superior in some aspects of his ministry, particularly in his genuine apostolic authority and credentials rooted in Christ.
2 Corinthians 11 5 Context
In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul is defending his apostolic ministry against the attacks of false apostles who were undermining his authority in Corinth. These false apostles likely presented themselves with impressive credentials, eloquence, and perhaps financial success, appealing to the Corinthians' desire for sophisticated leadership. Paul contrasts their superficial appeals with the genuine, though often difficult, marks of true apostleship rooted in suffering for Christ and faithfulness to the gospel. He is setting the stage to recount his own experiences of hardship and divine empowerment, demonstrating that true apostleship is not about worldly prestige but about being a servant and witness for Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and marked by the fruit of the gospel. This specific verse establishes Paul's parity with these challengers before he details his own accomplishments and suffering.
2 Corinthians 11 5 Word Analysis
"But" (de -δέ): A conjunction indicating a contrast or a transition. Here it sets Paul's assertion against what the false apostles claimed or implied about him.
"I" (ego - ἐγώ): Emphasizes the personal nature of Paul's statement.
"have come to be" (houtōs elthein - οὕτως ἐλθεῖν): Implies arrival or being positioned in a certain way, reflecting his current standing or that he has reached a point where this is the case.
"nothing" (ouden - οὐδὲν): Literally "not even one." Refers to not being inferior, lacking any disadvantage, or being in any way less than.
"inferior" (elatteōn - ἐλάττων): A comparative adjective meaning "less," "smaller," or "inferior." It signifies being outmatched or outdone in comparison.
"to the" (hoi - οἱ): The definite article, referring to specific individuals.
"super-apostles" (huperapostolōn - ὑπεραποστόλων): A unique compound word used by Paul, likely coined by him to sarcastically denote those who considered themselves apostles of a superior order, "beyond apostles." The prefix "huper" (ὑπέρ) means "over" or "beyond."
"for" (gar - γάρ): Indicates the reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
"in nothing" (ouden - οὐδὲν): Reiteration, emphasizing completeness in the lack of inferiority.
Grouped words: "I have come to be nothing inferior to the super-apostles" (egō ouden elatton gegōnen tois huperapostolois - ἐγὼ οὐδὲν ἔλαττον γεγένηται τοῖς ὑπεραποστόλοις): This phrase powerfully asserts Paul's equality in his apostolic status and ministry effectiveness compared to these false apostles. He is not deficient in any aspect of his apostolic commission or power, despite their claims. It means he stands on equal ground, with equal authority and credentials from God, not lacking in anything essential to apostleship.
2 Corinthians 11 5 Bonus Section
The term "super-apostles" (huperapostolōn) is a significant lexical innovation by Paul. Its sarcastic nature is widely acknowledged by scholars. It effectively ridicules those who considered themselves to be "over and above" other apostles, likely implying they were more spiritual, more eloquent, or had more earthly credentials. Paul consistently argues for an authentic apostleship defined by Christ's call, the proclamation of the cross, perseverance in suffering, and the spiritual fruit borne in the lives of believers, rather than by human accolades or eloquence. This is evident in his broader Corinthian correspondence, especially chapters 10-12.
2 Corinthians 11 5 Commentary
Paul states his equality with the "super-apostles" by declaring he is "nothing inferior" to them. This is not a statement of false humility (like "I am nothing"), but rather a bold affirmation that he is in no way outdone or less equipped than these boasting individuals. The term "super-apostles" is a sarcastic invention of Paul, highlighting the arrogance of those who fancied themselves as apostles of a higher caliber, perhaps distinguished by worldly wisdom or persuasive speech. Paul counters their presumed superiority by asserting his own apostolic standing, derived directly from Christ. This declaration sets the stage for him to further contrast his ministry credentials, which are validated by God and proven through genuine suffering and faithfulness, with the potentially superficial credentials of his opponents. His focus remains on being "nothing inferior" in the service of Christ, not on worldly status or self-aggrandizement.