2 Corinthians 11:16-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:16-21

Here we have a further excuse that the apostle makes for what he was about to say in his own vindication. 1. He would not have them think he was guilty of folly, in saying what he said to vindicate himself: Let no man think me a fool, 2 Cor. 11:16. Ordinarily, indeed, it is unbecoming a wise man to be much and often speaking in his own praise. Boasting of ourselves is usually not only a sign of a proud mind, but a mark of folly also. However, says the apostle, yet as a fool receive me; that... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:22-33

Here the apostle gives a large account of his own qualifications, labours, and sufferings (not out of pride or vain-glory, but to the honour of God, who had enabled him to do and suffer so much for the cause of Christ), and wherein he excelled the false apostles, who would lessen his character and usefulness among the Corinthians. Observe, I. He mentions the privileges of his birth (2 Cor. 11:22), which were equal to any they could pretend to. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews; of a family among... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

11:16-33 Again I say, let no one think me a fool. But, even if you do, bear with me, even if it is as a fool that you do bear with me, so that I too may boast a little. I am not saying what I am saying as if talk like this was inspired by the Lord, but I am talking with boastful confidence as in foolishness. Since many boast about their human qualifications I too will boast, for you--because you are sensible people--suffer fools gladly. I know that this is true because you suffer it if... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:16

I say again, let no man think me a fool ,.... For praising himself, or speaking in his own commendation; which he was obliged to do, in vindication of his own character, against the false apostles, for the sake of the Gospel he preached, and for the advantage and welfare of the Corinthians; that they might not be imposed upon and carried away with the insinuations of these deceitful men; wherefore he desires them once more, that if he must be accounted a fool for speaking in his own behalf; ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:17

That which I speak ,.... Meaning in vindication and commendation of himself, on this subject of glorying; or, as here expressed, in this confidence of boasting ; for which he thought he had good ground and foundation to go upon, and therefore might express himself with the greatest assurance, see 2 Corinthians 9:4 this he declares he spoke not as from the Lord, but of himself: I speak it not after the Lord ; or "Christ", as some copies read; or "our Lord", as the Syriac version;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:18

Seeing that many glory after the flesh ,.... Or with respect to things external, such as their high birth and parentage, carnal descent, circumcision, learned education, and the like; of which the false apostles, being Jews, boasted, who it seems were many; and though a multitude is not to be followed to do evil, yet the apostle thought, that since there were so many who were indulged by this church in this way, he might be allowed to boast also of such like things, so far as he could with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:19

For ye suffer fools gladly ,.... They bore with the false apostles, who were fools; were continually proclaiming their folly, boasting of themselves, ascribing that to themselves which did not belong to them, and were puffed up by their fleshly minds; they indulged these men in their folly, and that with pleasure and delight; they not only winked at it, and overlooked it, but were pleased with it: seeing ye yourselves are wise; acting like men who count themselves wise, and keep fools for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:20

For ye suffer if a man bring you into bondage ,.... They not only suffered and tolerated the foolish boasting of these men with pleasure, but patiently and stupidly bore their oppressions, injuries, and insults, things that were intolerable, which no man of any sense and wisdom would ever suffer; and yet they took all quietly from them, made no objection, but patiently submitted to them, and therefore might well bear a little with him; they were voluntarily led captive, and brought into... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:21

I speak as concerning reproach ,.... These words may be considered either as explanative of the latter part of the former verse, "if a man smite you on the face"; that is not to be understood strictly and literally, of one man's striking another on the face, but of reproach and contumelious language, used by the false apostles to the Corinthians; or they may have reference to the apostle's design in the whole, which was partly to reproach, the Corinthians for acting such a stupid part, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:22

Are they Hebrews? so am I ,.... The nation of the Jews were called Hebrews, not from Abraham, as some have F23 Artapanus apud Euseb. praepar. l. 9. c. 18. p. 420. Ambrosius sive Hilarius in Phil. iii. 5. & alii. thought, through ignorance of the Hebrew language, which will by no means admit of such a derivation and etymology of the name; wherefore the Jewish writers never make mention of this opinion as among any of them; had they took their name from Abram or Abraham, they would... read more

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