2 Corinthians 11:21

21. as concerning reproach--rather, "by way of dishonor (that is, self-disparagement) I say it." as though we ... weak--in not similarly (2Co 11:20) showing our power over you. "An ironical reminiscence of his own abstinence when among them from all these acts of self-exaltation at their expense" (as if such abstinence was weakness) [Alford]. The "we" is emphatically contrasted with the false teachers who so oppressively displayed their power. I speak so as though WE had been weak when with you, because we did not show our power this way. Howbeit (we are not really weak; for), whereinsoever any is bold ... I am bold also.

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

Verse 21. I speak as concerning reproach. I speak of disgrace. That is, says Rosenmuller, "I speak of your disgrace; or, as others prefer it, of the disgrace of the false apostles." Doddridge regards it as a question: "Do I speak this by way of dishonour, from an envious desire to derogate from my superiors, so as to bring them down to my own level?" But to me it seems that Paul refers to what he had been admitting respecting himself--to what he had evinced in rudeness of speech, 2Cor 11:6, and to his not having urged his claims to the support which an apostle had a right to receive--to things, in short, which they esteemed to be disgraceful or reproachful. And his idea, it seems to me, is this: "I have been speaking of reproach or disgrace as if I was weak; that is, as if I was disposed to admit as true all that has been said of me as reproachful or disgraceful; all that has been said of my want of qualifications for the office, of my want of talent, or elevated rank, or honourable birth, etc. I have not pressed my claims, but have been reasoning as if all this were true; as if all that was honourable in birth and elevated in rank belonged to them--all that is mean and unworthy pertained to me. But it is not so. Whatever they have, I have. Whatever they can boast of, I can boast of in a more eminent degree. Whatever advantage there is in birth is mine; and I can tell of toils, and trials, and sufferings in the apostolic office which far surpass theirs." Paul proceeds, therefore, to a fur statement of his advantages of birth, and of his labours in the cause of the Redeemer.

As though we had been weak. As if I had no claims to urge; as if I had no just cause of boldness, but must submit to this reproach.

Howbeit. δε. But. The sense is, If any one is disposed to boast, I am ready for him. I can tell also of things that have as high claims to confidence as they can. If they are disposed to go into a comparison on the points which qualify a man for the office of an apostle, I am ready to compare myself with them.

Whereinsoever. ενω. In what. Whatever they have to boast of, I am prepared also to show that I am equal to them. Be it pertaining to birth, rank, education, labours, they will find that I do not shrink from the comparison.

Any is bold. τιςτολμα. Any one dares to boast; any one is bold.

I speak foolishly. Remember now that I speak as a fool. I have been charged with this folly. Just now keep that in mind; and do not forget that it is only a fool who is speaking. Just recollect that I have no claims to public confidence; that I am destitute of all pretensions to the apostolic office; that I am given to a vain parade and ostentation, and to boasting of what does not belong to me; and when you recollect this, let me tell my story. The whole passage is ironical in the highest degree. The sense is, "It is doubtless all nonsense and folly for a man to boast who has only the qualifications which I have. But there is a great deal of wisdom in their boasting who have so much more elevated endowments for the apostolic office."

I am bold also. I can meet them on their own ground, and speak of qualifications not inferior to theirs.

(+) "Howbeit" "Yet"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Verse 21 I speak as concerning reproach - Dr. Whitby thus paraphrases this verse: "That which I said of smiting you upon the face, I speak as concerning the reproach they cast upon you as profane and uncircumcised, whereas they all profess to be a holy nation; as though we had been weak - inferior to them in these things, not able to ascribe to ourselves those advantages as well as they. Howbeit, whereinsoever any is bold, and can justly value himself on these advantages, I am bold also, and can claim the same distinctions, though I speak foolishly in setting any value on those things; but it is necessary that I should show that such men have not even one natural good that they can boast of beyond me."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain