2 Corinthians 11:21

My Notes

What Does 2 Corinthians 11:21 Mean?

"I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also." Paul continues the 'fool's speech' with layered irony: he admits speaking 'as concerning reproach' — as if acknowledging weakness were shameful. Then he matches the super-apostles' BOLDNESS: wherever they're bold, Paul is bold TOO. The parenthetical '(I speak foolishly)' is the CONSTANT DISCLAIMER — Paul signals with every sentence that the boasting-game he's playing is BENEATH him. He plays it anyway because the Corinthians demand it.

The phrase "as though we had been weak" (hōs hoti hēmeis ēsthenēkamen — as though we were weak) is IRONIC concession: the super-apostles called Paul WEAK (10:10). Paul sarcastically 'concedes': yes, I was too WEAK to bully you, too WEAK to lord it over you, too WEAK to exploit you. The 'weakness' the opponents mock is actually Paul's GENTLENESS — the apostolic posture of serving rather than dominating. The 'weakness' is the Christlike approach the super-apostles rejected.

The "whereinsoever any is bold, I am bold also" (en hō d' an tis tolma, tolmō kagō — in whatever anyone dares/is bold, I dare/am bold also) is the CHALLENGE that launches the credentials-comparison: whatever the super-apostles boast about, Paul will MATCH. The competition is ON — but Paul's boasting list (verses 23-29) will include SUFFERINGS, not achievements. The boldness Paul matches is the boldness to present credentials. The credentials Paul presents are beatings, imprisonments, and shipwrecks.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What 'weakness' others mock is actually your Christlike strength?
• 2.What does Paul's sarcastic 'concession' of weakness teach about reclaiming insults?
• 3.How does the constant disclaimer ('I speak foolishly') undercut the boasting while still delivering the credentials?
• 4.What 'boldness' would you match — and would your credentials be achievements or sufferings?

Devotional

I was too WEAK — too weak to bully you, too weak to exploit you, too weak to lord it over you. But wherever anyone is BOLD? I'm bold too. (I'm speaking foolishly.) Paul enters the boasting-arena with maximum irony: the 'weakness' he concedes is actually GENTLENESS. The boldness he matches will be expressed through SUFFERING-credentials, not achievement-credentials.

The 'as though we had been weak' is Paul RECLAIMING the insult: the opponents called him weak (10:10 — 'his bodily presence is weak'). Paul 'agrees' — sarcastically. Yes, I was too 'weak' to DOMINATE you. Too 'weak' to demand your money. Too 'weak' to treat you like subjects instead of siblings. The weakness they mock is the Christlikeness Paul practiced. The insult is actually the compliment.

The '(I speak foolishly)' is the PARENTHETICAL that undercuts every boast: Paul NEVER lets the Corinthians forget that what he's doing — boasting — is FOOLISH. The disclaimer appears repeatedly. The boasting is REAL (the credentials are genuine). The boasting is FOOLISH (by Paul's own assessment). Both are true simultaneously. The fool's speech is genuine testimony delivered through a form Paul despises.

The 'whereinsoever any is bold, I am bold also' is the GAUNTLET thrown: whatever the super-apostles claim, Paul will MATCH. But the matching will be INVERTED — where they boast about SUCCESS, Paul will boast about SUFFERING. Where they list ACHIEVEMENTS, Paul will list BEATINGS. The boldness is matched. The content is reversed. The fool's boasting turns the competition upside down.

What 'weakness' that others mock is actually your Christlike strength — and would you match their boldness with suffering-credentials?

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture