2 Corinthians 11:17

2 Corinthians 11:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
• New International Version (NIV)In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool.
• English Standard Version (ESV)What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool.
• New King James Version (NKJV)What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Context of 2 Corinthians 11:17

15So it’s not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants who have God’s approval. In the end they will get what they deserve. 16Again I say that no one should think that I’m a fool. But if you do, then take me for a fool so that I can also brag a little. What I say as I start bragging is foolishness. It’s not something I would say if I were speaking for the Lord. 18Since it’s common for people to brag, I’ll do it too. 19You’re wise, so you’ll gladly put up with fools.

2 Corinthians 11:17 word by word

ὃ λαλῶ, οὐ κατὰ κύριον λαλῶ ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ, ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ ὑποστάσει τῆς καυχήσεως.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• That whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• I speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• notοὐou · noG3756
• afterκατάkata · according toG2596
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• as it wereὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• ·ἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• foolishlyἀφροσύνηaphrosunē · foolishnessG877
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• confidenceὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• confidenceὑπόστασιςhupostasis · confidence/essenceG5287
• of boastingκαύχησιςkauchēsis · prideG2746

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 11:17

• 1 Corinthians 7:6What I have just said is not meant as a command but as a suggestion.
• 2 Corinthians 11:18Since it’s common for people to brag, I’ll do it too.
• 2 Corinthians 9:4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me, they might find out that you’re not ready after all. This would embarrass us for feeling so confident as much as it would embarrass you.
• Philippians 3:3We are the ⌞true⌟ circumcised people ⌞of God⌟ because we serve God’s Spirit and take pride in Christ Jesus. We don’t place any confidence in physical things,

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 11:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17I speak it not after the Lord - Were it not for the necessity under which I am laid to vindicate my apostleship, my present glorying would be inconsistent with my Christian profession of humility, and knowing no one after the flesh.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17That which I speak - In praise of myself. I speak it not after the Lord - see the note on 1 Corinthians 7:12. The phrase here may mean either, I do not speak this by inspiration or claiming to be inspired by the Lord; or more probably it may mean, I do not speak this imitating the example of the Lord Jesus or strictly as becomes his follower. He was eminently modest, and never vaunted or boasted. And Paul probably means to say, “I do not in this profess…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. 1717. not after the Lord--By inspired guidance he excepts this "glorying" or "boasting" from the inspired authoritativeness which belongs to all else that he wrote; even this boasting, though undesirable in itself, was permitted by the Spirit, taking into account its aim, namely, to draw off the Corinthians from their false teachers to the apostle. Therefore this passage gives no proof that any portion of Scripture is uninspired. It merely guards against…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 11:17

• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Abase
• Above
• Corrupt
• Fear
• Jealous
• Peril
• Receive
• Save
• Confidence
• 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