2 Corinthians 11:16

2 Corinthians 11:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
• New International Version (NIV)I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.

Context of 2 Corinthians 11:16

14And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15So it is no great surprise if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, but their end will correspond with their deeds. I repeat then, let no one think that I am foolish; but even if you do, at least accept me as foolish, so that I too may boast a little. 17What I say in this confident boasting, I say not as the Lord would [with His authority], but foolishly. 18Since many boast [of worldly things and brag] about human accomplishments, I will boast too.

2 Corinthians 11:16 word by word

Πάλιν λέγω, μή τίς με δόξῃ ἄφρονα εἶναι· εἰ δὲ μή γε, κἂν ὡς ἄφρονα δέξασθέ με, ἵνα κἀγὼ μικρόν τι καυχήσωμαι.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I sayλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• againπάλινpalin · againG3825
• Letδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
• noμήmē · notG3361
• manτιςtis · oneG5100
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• ·εἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• a foolἄφρωνaphrōn · foolishG878
• ifεἰei · if: elseG1487
• otherwiseδέde · thenG1161
• otherwiseεἰ δὲ μή(γε)ei de mē(ge) · but if not; otherwiseG1490
• yetκἄνkan · and/even ifG2579
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• receiveδέχομαιdechomai · to receiveG1209
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ·κἀγώkagō kamoi kame · and IG2504
• I may boast myselfκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• a littleμικρόςmikros mikroteros · smallG3398

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 11:16

• 2 Corinthians 11:1I wish you would bear with me [while I indulge] in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me [as you read this].
• 2 Corinthians 11:21To my shame, I must say, we have been too weak [in comparison to those pseudo-apostles who take advantage of you]. But in whatever anyone else dares to boast—I am speaking foolishly—I also dare to boast.
• 2 Corinthians 12:6If I wish to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it], so that no one will credit me with more than [is justified by what] he sees in me or hears from me.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Let no man think me a fool - See the note on 2 Corinthians 11:1. As the apostle was now going to enter into a particular detail of his qualifications, natural, acquired, and spiritual; and particularly of his labors and sufferings; he thinks it necessary to introduce the discourse once more as he did 2 Corinthians 11:1.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16I say again - I repeat it. He refers to what he had said in 2 Corinthians 11:1. The sense is, “I have said much respecting myself which may seem to be foolish. I admit that to boast in this manner of one‘s own self in general is folly. But circumstances compel me to it. And I entreat you to look at those circumstances and not regard me as a fool for doing it.” If otherwise - If you think otherwise. If I cannot obtain this of you that you will not regard…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-21Verses 16-21 It is the duty and practice of Christians to humble themselves, in obedience to the command and example of the Lord; yet prudence must direct in what it is needful to do things which we may do lawfully, even the speaking of what God has wrought for us, and in us, and by us. Doubtless here is reference to facts in which the character of the false apostles had been shown. It is astonishing to see how such men bring their followers into bondage…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-29Paul acts like a boastful fool (see also 12:11–13) to show his real qualifications as a suffering apostle. The intruders' arrogance forces Paul to write in a way that mirrors their behavior, using irony.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. I say again--again taking up from 2Co 11:1 the anticipatory apology for his boasting. if otherwise--but if ye will not grant this; if ye will think me a fool. yet as a fool--"yet even as a fool receive me"; grant me the indulgent hearing conceded even to one suspected of folly. The Greek denotes one who does not rightly use his mental powers; not having the idea of blame necessarily attached to it; one deceived by foolish vanities, yet boasting…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 11:16

• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Abase
• Above
• Corrupt
• Fear
• Jealous
• Peril
• Receive
• Save
• Apollos
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings