I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that! But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.
Parallel translations
- WEB I 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.
- KJV I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
- BSB To my shame I concede that we were too weak for that! Speaking as a fool, however, I can match what anyone else dares to boast about.
- NKJV To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.
- NASB To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I am speaking in foolishness—I too am bold.
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 says ironically that he was 'too weak' for such domineering, yet whatever others dare boast of, he can boast too. He pivots to defend his true credentials.
Overview
With cutting irony, Paul confesses he was 'too weak' to abuse the Corinthians as the false apostles did. Then, still speaking in foolishness, he announces that he can match any boast his rivals make. This sets the stage for the catalog of his sufferings and credentials that follows, proving his genuine apostleship.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 2 Cor 10:10For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”
- 2 Cor 10:1–2Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
- 2 Cor 11:17That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
- Phil 3:3–6For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
- 2 Cor 11:22–27Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? So am I.
- 2 Cor 13:10For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.
Resources, by level
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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 11:21 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.