2 Corinthians 12:11 kjv
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:11 nkjv
I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:11 niv
I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:11 esv
I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:11 nlt
You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these "super apostles," even though I am nothing at all.
2 Corinthians 12 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 12:1 | I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations | Cross-reference |
| 1 Cor 1:17 | For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence | Fulfillment/Contrast |
| 1 Cor 4:3 | To me it matters very little that I am judged by you or by a human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself | Authority/Self-defense |
| Phil 3:3 | For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh | Warning against false claims |
| Gal 1:6 | I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel | Rebuke for false teachers |
| Gal 1:8 | But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed | Authority/Warning |
| Acts 18:18 | After this, Paul stayed there a longer time, and then took leave of the brothers and sailed for Syria, with Aquila and Priscilla | Ministry proof |
| Acts 19:11 | God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul | Ministry proof |
| 1 Thess 2:7 | Rather, we were gent*le among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children | Ministry proof/Contrast |
| Rom 11:13 | I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry | Authority/Self-defense |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing | Dependency on Christ |
| Heb 1:1-2 | In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in many ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by the Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom | Revelation |
| Ps 33:19 | but to rescue their lives from death and to sustain them through famine | God's providence |
| Jer 29:11 | For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. | God's plans |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. | God's purpose |
| Gal 3:21 | Is the law, then, contrary to the promises of God? Not at all! | Law vs. Grace |
| Matt 7:15 | “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. | Warning against deception |
| Mark 13:22 | For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. | Warning against deception |
| Rom 15:18 | For I will not venture to speak of anything which Christ has not accomplished through me in word and deed, bringing the Gentiles to | Ministry proof |
| 2 Cor 3:5 | Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. | Source of power |
| 1 Cor 9:1 | Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? | Authority/Self-defense |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 11 Meaning
Paul states he has become a fool by commending himself, but his foolishness is forced upon him by the overly zealous Corinthians. Despite feeling compelled to boast, he has done nothing less than these supposed “super-apostles,” and in fact, has presented himself through the genuine signs of an apostle.
2 Corinthians 12 11 Context
In 2 Corinthians 12:11, Paul is concluding his defense of his apostleship, which he was forced into due to the insistent claims of certain “super-apostles” in Corinth. These individuals likely boasted about their credentials, perhaps claiming superior spiritual experiences or intellectual prowess. Paul, feeling compelled to counter their influence and protect the church, begins this section by admitting he sounds foolish for praising himself (12:11a). He contrasts his self-commendation with what true apostleship entails, which he believes are the signs and spiritual fruits of his ministry among them (12:11b). The preceding verses describe a vision Paul received, including a "thorn in my flesh" given to torment him, which he prayed to be removed, but God's answer was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (12:7-9). This divine assurance underpins Paul's acceptance of weakness and his willingness to boast in it, as it highlights God's strength working through him. The historical context involves a fragile Corinthian church, influenced by persuasive, possibly eloquent, but ultimately false teachers, and Paul’s earnest desire to see them firmly established in the gospel truth.
2 Corinthians 12 11 Word Analysis
Indeed (Greek: men oun ge): This phrase indicates a strong logical conclusion or emphasis. It signals that despite his feeling of foolishness, Paul feels he has no alternative but to continue, driven by the circumstances.
I have made myself (Greek: emauton huperepion): "Huperepion" implies being overly boastful or acting excessively superior. Paul acknowledges this potentially negative aspect of his speech.
foolish (Greek: moros): A strong term for someone lacking sense, often with a connotation of self-inflicted foolishness or gross stupidity. Paul uses it to describe the nature of boasting about oneself.
you (Greek: humeis): Direct address to the Corinthians.
compelled (Greek: sunegkazo): Means to drive together, to compel, or to bring someone to a place. Here, it implies they have forced him into this position.
me (Greek: emou): Paul identifies himself as the recipient of this compulsion.
for I ought to have been commended by you (Greek: egō gar upeRumeis opheilete): "Opheilete" denotes a debt or an obligation. Paul implies they should have been the ones praising him based on his genuine apostolic work, rather than him having to justify himself.
for (Greek: gar): Indicates the reason for his compulsion.
in nothing (Greek: ou in ouden): A strong negation.
am (Greek: eimi): "I am."
a whit inferior (Greek: elassōn): Less, inferior.
to the super-apostles (Greek: ton huperlian apostolōn): "Huperlian" is a rare term, possibly coined by Paul, meaning "overly, excessively," or "beyond measure." It's a pointed criticism of those who deem themselves superior. This directly targets those claiming greater authority or status than Paul.
Words/Phrases Group Analysis:
- "I have made myself foolish": Paul anticipates how his self-defense might be perceived but frames it as a reaction to the Corinthians’ actions.
- "you compelled me": This places the responsibility on the Corinthians, particularly the troublemakers among them, for forcing Paul into a position where he must boast about himself.
- "I ought to have been commended by you": This highlights a role reversal. In normal circumstances, the church should recognize and commend genuine apostles, but here Paul must advocate for himself because they have not done so.
- "in nothing am I a whit inferior to the super-apostles": This is the core assertion. Paul stands on equal footing, or superior in genuine apostolic service, to those who exalt themselves, even if they label themselves "super."
2 Corinthians 12 11 Bonus Section
The phrase "super-apostles" (huperlian apostolōn) is a term of derision and is only used by Paul in the New Testament, appearing in 2 Corinthians 11:5 and 12:11. This linguistic choice strongly suggests Paul's disdain for their self-proclaimed status and highlights the stark contrast between genuine apostolic service and the pursuit of prestige. The Greek construction conveys "excessively beyond measure." It’s often linked to the rhetorical strategies Paul employs in this section, where he engages in a form of "unwilling boasting" or "contrasting commendation" to expose the superficiality of his opponents. The effectiveness of Paul’s ministry was not measured by worldly standards of charisma or achievement but by the transformative power of the Gospel and the suffering endured for Christ, as he elaborates on throughout chapters 10-13.
2 Corinthians 12 11 Commentary
Paul’s statement reveals the burden of pastoral leadership when faced with internal opposition and division. He feels compelled to defend his apostleship, not out of personal pride, but because his legitimacy as an apostle was being undermined, thereby jeopardizing the Corinthian believers' faith in the Gospel he preached. The term “super-apostles” is a sarcastic jab at those who exaggerated their own qualifications, contrasting sharply with Paul’s own emphasis on the power of Christ’s weakness displayed through him. Paul’s argument is not about possessing greater spiritual gifts but about demonstrating authentic apostolic labor and bearing the unmistakable marks of Christ in ministry, often characterized by suffering and dependence on God’s power, not human eloquence or perceived status. He essentially argues that the evidence of his apostleship is manifest in his genuine ministry and its effects, which these rivals lack or obscure.