For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.
Parallel translations
- KJV For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
- BSB I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”
- NKJV For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.
- NASB For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.
- NLT But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things.
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 insists he is in no way inferior to the so-called 'super-apostles' troubling the church. He refuses to concede ground to the false teachers' claims.
Overview
With pointed irony, Paul declares himself not the least bit behind these self-styled superior apostles. He is not boasting in pride but defending the truth of the gospel entrusted to him. His genuine apostleship stands over against the inflated pretensions of those leading the Corinthians astray.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- 1 Cor 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- 2 Cor 12:11–12I 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.
- Gal 2:6–9But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man) — they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,
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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 11:5 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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