2 Corinthians 11 · Verse 16

2 Corinthians 11:16

I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
2 Corinthians 11:16, King James Version

2 Corinthians 11:16 in other translations

BSBI repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
WEBI say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.
ASVI say again, Let no man think me foolish; but if ye do, yet as foolish receive me, that I also may glory a little.
YLTAgain I say, may no one think me to be a fool; and if otherwise, even as a fool receive me, that I also a little may boast.
DARBYAgain I say, Let not any one think me to be a fool; but if otherwise, receive me then even as a fool, that I also may boast myself some little.
BBEI say again, Let me not seem foolish to anyone; but if I do, put up with me as such, so that I may take a little glory to myself.
WebsterI say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

What does 2 Corinthians 11:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. I say again--again taking up from 2Co 11:1 the anticipatory apology for his boasting. if otherwise--but if ye will not grant this; if ye will think me a fool. yet as a fool--"yet even as a fool receive me"; grant me the indulgent hearing conceded even to one suspected of folly. The Greek denotes one who does not rightly use his mental powers; not having the idea of blame necessarily attached to it; one deceived by foolish vanities, yet boasting himself [Tittmann], (2Co 11:17, 19). that I--The oldest manuscripts read, "that I, too," namely, as well as they, may boast myself.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 16. I say again. I repeat it. He refers to what he had said in 2Cor 11:1. The sense is, "I have said much respecting myself which may seem to be foolish. I admit that to boast in this manner of one's own self in general is folly. But circumstances compel me to it. And I entreat you to look at those circumstances, and not regard me as a fool for doing it."

If otherwise. If you think otherwise. If I cannot obtain this of you, that you will not regard me as acting prudently and wisely. If you will think me foolish, still I am constrained to make these remarks in vindication of myself.

Yet as a fool receive me. Marg., "suffer." See 2Cor 11:1. Bear with me as you do with others. Consider how much I have been provoked to this; how necessary it is to my character; and do not reject and despise me because I am constrained to say that of myself which is usually regarded as foolish boasting.

That I may boast myself a little. Since others do it and are not rebuked, may I be permitted to do it also. See 2Cor 11:18,19. There is something sarcastic in the words, "a little." The sense is, "Others are allowed to boast a great deal. Assuredly I may be allowed to boast a little of what I have done."

(c) "if otherwise" 2Cor 12:6,11 (1) "receive" "suffer"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 Let no man think me a fool - See the note on 2Cor 11:1. As the apostle was now going to enter into a particular detail of his qualifications, natural, acquired, and spiritual; and particularly of his labors and sufferings; he thinks it necessary to introduce the discourse once more as he did 2Cor 11:1.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:16-21
It is the duty and practice of Christians to humble themselves, in obedience to the command and example of the Lord; yet prudence must direct in what it is needful to do things which we may do lawfully, even the speaking of what God has wrought for us, and in us, and by us. Doubtless here is reference to facts in which the character of the false apostles had been shown. It is astonishing to see how such men bring their followers into bondage, and how they take from them and insult them.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Corinthians 11:16 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠάλινPalinAgainG3825
λέγω,legōI say,G3004
μήmēnoG3361
τίςtisoneG5100
μεmemeG3165
δόξῃdoxēmay thinkG1380
ἄφροναaphronaa foolG878
εἶναι·einaito be;G1511
εἰeilestG1487
δὲdethenG1161
μήmēexceptG3361
γε,geindeedG1065
κἂνkanevenG2532
ὡςhōsasG5613
ἄφροναaphronaa foolG878
δέξασθέdexasthedo receiveG1209
με,meme,G3165
ἵναinathatG2443
κἀγὼkagōI myself alsoG1473
μικρόνmikronlittleG3398
τιtiaG5100
καυχήσωμαι.kauchēsōmaimay boast.G2744

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 11:16

  • 2 Corinthians 11:1

    Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:6

    For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:11

    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.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:19

    For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:21-23

    I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
say.
1
Let.
21-23; 12:6,11
receive me. or, suffer me.
1,19

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 11:15

    Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:16

    I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:17

    That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Otra vez digo: Que nadie me estime ser loco; de otra manera, recibidme como á loco, para que aun me gloríe yo un poquito.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je le dis encore: que personne ne me tienne pour un insensé; ou bien, s’il en est autrement, recevez-moi, même comme un insensé, afin que moi aussi je me glorifie un peu.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wiederum sage ich: Niemand halte mich für töricht; wenn aber nicht, so nehmet mich doch auf als einen Törichten, auf daß auch ich mich ein wenig rühmen möge.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Iterum dico (ne quis me putet insipientem esse, alioquin velut insipientem accipite me, ut et ego modicum quid glorier),