Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little.
Parallel translations
- WEB I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.
- 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.
- BSB I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
- 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.
- NASB Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul again asks not to be thought a fool, but if they insist, to let him boast a little as if foolishly. He resumes his reluctant self-defense.
Overview
Paul returns to the theme of 'foolish' boasting forced upon him by the situation. He requests their indulgence to speak in this manner. His repeated apology shows how distasteful self-commendation is to him, undertaken only to protect the Corinthians from the deceivers' influence.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 2 Cor 11:1I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me.
- 2 Cor 12:6For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me.
- 2 Cor 11:19For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.
- 2 Cor 12:11I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.
- 2 Cor 11:21–23I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet in whatever way anyone is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 11:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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