I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.
Parallel translations
- WEB I 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.
- KJV I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
- BSB I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
- NASB I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, since I was in no respect inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
- NLT You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all.
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 the Corinthians forced him into foolish boasting; they should have commended him, for he is in no way inferior to the 'super-apostles,' though he is nothing in himself. It matters because his worth rests on Christ, not self-estimation.
Overview
Paul ends the fool's speech by laying the blame for it on the Corinthians' failure to defend him. He affirms his apostolic equality with the most esteemed leaders while immediately confessing, 'though I am nothing.' This blend of confidence and humility shows that whatever he is, he is only by the grace of God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 2 Cor 11:5For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.
- 1 Cor 15:8–10and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.
- 2 Cor 11:1I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me.
- Eph 3:8To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
- 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.
- 1 Cor 3:4–7For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you fleshly?
- 1 Cor 3:22whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,
- Gal 2:6–14But 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,
- 2 Cor 12:12Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
- 2 Cor 11:16–17I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.
- 2 Cor 1:6But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
- Luke 17:10Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’”
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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 12:11 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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