2 Corinthians 11 · Verse 5

2 Corinthians 11:5

For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
2 Corinthians 11:5, King James Version

2 Corinthians 11:5 in other translations

BSBI consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”
WEBFor I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.
ASVFor I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
YLTfor I reckon that I have been nothing behind the very chiefest apostles,
DARBYFor I reckon that in nothing I am behind those who are in surpassing degree apostles.
BBEFor in my opinion, I am in no way less than the most important of the Apostles.
WebsterFor I suppose I was not a whit behind the very greatest apostles.

What does 2 Corinthians 11:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. For--My claim is superior to that of the false teachers, "For," &c. I suppose--I reckon [Alford]. I was not--Greek, "That I have not been, and am not." the very chiefest apostles--James, Peter, and John, the witnesses of Christ's transfiguration and agony in Gethsemane. Rather, "those overmuch apostles," those surpassers of the apostles in their own esteem. This sense is proved by the fact that the context contains no comparison between him and the apostles, but only between him and the false teachers; 2Co 11:6 also alludes to these, and not to the apostles; compare also the parallel phrase, "false apostles" (see on 2Co 11:13 and 2Co 12:11) [Alford].

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. For I suppose, etc. I think that I gave as good evidence that I was commissioned by God as the most eminent of the apostles. In the miracles which I performed; in the abundance of my labours, and in my success, I suppose that I did not fall behind any of them. If so, I ought to be regarded and treated as an apostle; and if so, then the false teachers should not be allowed to supplant me in your affections, or to seduce you from the doctrines which I have taught. On the evidence that Paul was equal to others in the proper proof of a commission from God, 2Cor 11:21, 2Cor 11:22-30.

(a) "I was not" 1Cor 15:10, 2Cor 12:11 (*) "whit" "in nothing"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 I was not - behind the very chiefest apostles - That is: The most eminent of the apostles have not preached Christ, ministered the spirit, explained and enforced the doctrines of the Gospel in a more powerful and effectual manner than I have done.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:5-15
It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially when we consider the great power which Satan, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, has upon the minds of many. And as there are temptations to evil conduct, so there is equal danger on the other side. It serves Satan's purposes as well, to set up good works against the atonement of Christ, and salvation by faith and grace. But the end will discover those who are deceitful workers; their work will end in ruin. Satan will allow his ministers to preach either the law or the gospel separately; but the law as established by faith in Christ's righteousness and atonement, and the partaking of his Spirit, is the test of every false system.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Corinthians 11:5 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.

ΛογίζομαιLogizomaiI reckonG3049
γὰρgarforG1063
μηδὲνmēdenin nothingG3367
ὑστερηκέναιhusterēkenaito have been inferiorG5302
τῶνtōnto thoseG3588
ὑπερλίανhuperlianmost eminentG5228
ἀποστόλων.apostolōnapostles.G652

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

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 11:5

  • 1 Corinthians 15:10

    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:11-12

    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. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

  • Galatians 2:6-9

    But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I was not.
12:11,12; 1Co 15:10; Ga 2:6-9

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

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 11:4

    For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:5

    For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:6

    But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Cierto pienso que en nada he sido inferior á aquellos grandes apóstoles.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car j’estime que je n’ai été en rien moindre que les plus excellents apôtres.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ich achte, daß ich in nichts den ausgezeichnetsten Aposteln nachstehe.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Existimo enim nihil me minus fecisse a magnis Apostolis.