2 Corinthians 11:6

My Notes

What Does 2 Corinthians 11:6 Mean?

"But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things." Paul CONCEDES one point and DENIES another: he may be RUDE IN SPEECH (lacking rhetorical polish, not a trained orator) — but he is NOT lacking in KNOWLEDGE. The speech may be unpolished. The content is not. And the PROOF: 'we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things' — the Corinthians KNOW Paul's knowledge because they've SEEN it demonstrated in every area.

The phrase "rude in speech" (idiōtēs tō logō — an untrained person in speech/word) means Paul is a LAYPERSON in rhetoric: idiōtēs means an amateur, a non-professional, someone without formal training. Paul CONCEDES that he isn't a trained ORATOR — he lacks the polished rhetorical skills the Corinthians value (they're comparing him to more eloquent teachers, 10:10). The speech is AMATEUR. The content is EXPERT.

The "yet not in knowledge" (all' ou tē gnōsei — but not in knowledge) is the CONTRAST that matters: the speech-quality is conceded. The knowledge-quality is NOT. Paul may not speak with Apollos' eloquence. But he KNOWS what he's talking about. The knowledge is DEEP, GENUINE, and DEMONSTRATED. The packaging may be rough. The product is premium.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What rough speech are you dismissing — while the knowledge it carries is excellent?
• 2.What does Paul conceding speech-quality but refusing to concede knowledge-quality teach about priorities?
• 3.How does the evidence being 'among you in all things' make the Corinthians their own proof?
• 4.What 'amateur packaging' in your life carries 'expert content'?

Devotional

I may be rough in SPEECH — but not in KNOWLEDGE. You've SEEN the knowledge demonstrated in everything. Paul concedes the rhetorical polish. He refuses to concede the content. The speech may lack eloquence. The knowledge lacks nothing. The packaging is rough. The product is proven.

The 'rude in speech' is Paul's HONEST SELF-ASSESSMENT: the word idiōtēs means amateur, untrained, non-professional. Paul isn't a trained rhetorician. He doesn't have the polished delivery that the Corinthians expect (they're used to eloquent Greek speakers). He concedes the DEFICIT: my speech isn't impressive. The delivery isn't polished. The rhetoric isn't professional.

The 'yet not in knowledge' is the REFUSAL to concede what matters: the speech is amateur. The KNOWLEDGE is not. Paul's understanding of the gospel, of Christ, of the Spirit, of the church — this is not amateur. This is EXPERT. This is DEEP. This is the knowledge that planted the Corinthian church, that wrote the letters they're reading, that shaped the theology they've received. The rough packaging contains the highest-quality content.

The 'thoroughly made manifest among you in all things' is the EVIDENCE: the Corinthians don't need to TRUST Paul's claim about his knowledge. They've SEEN it — thoroughly (en panti — in everything), manifest (phanerōthentes — made visible/apparent), among YOU (the Corinthians are the evidence-base). Paul's knowledge isn't theoretical. It's DEMONSTRATED — in every area, to the very people questioning him.

What 'rough speech' are you too focused on — while missing the knowledge it carries?

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture