II Corinthians 11:1 · Bible study
2 Corinthians 11:1 Commentary: The Foolishness of Necessary Boasting
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why Paul calls his self-defense 'folly' and asks the Corinthians to bear with him. A study in apostolic humility and the irony of necessary boasting.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul apologetically asks the Corinthians to tolerate his necessary self-defense, which he ironically calls ‘foolishness.’
- Key words: ‘foolishness’ (ἀφροσύνη, imprudence), ‘bear with’ (ἀνέχομαι, endure, patiently allow).
- Main debate: Whether the second verb (ἀνέχεσθε) is an imperative (‘bear with me’) or an indicative (‘you do bear with me’).
- Theological theme: Humility and necessity, even legitimate self-defense is done with reluctance is to serve the gospel, not self.
- Best use: Teaching on pastoral vulnerability, the ethics of self-praise, and the irony of apostolic authority.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
I hope you will bear with a little of my foolishness, but you are already doing that.
WEB World English Bible 2000
I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me.
KJV King James Version 1769
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
O that ye were bearing with me a little of the folly, but ye also do bear with me:
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Would that ye would bear with me [in] a little folly; but indeed bear with me.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Would to God you could bear with some little of my folly! But do bear with me.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
OJALÁ toleraseis un poco mi locura; empero toleradme|strong="G0430, G3450".
Gostaria que me suportásseis um pouco em minha loucura; mas ainda assim suportai-me.
Oh! Si vous pouviez supporter de ma part un peu de folie! Mais vous me supportez!
Wollte Gott, ihr hieltet mir ein wenig Torheit zugut! doch ihr haltet mir's wohl zugut.
Och, of gij mij een weinig verdroegt in de onwijsheid; ja ook, verdraagt mij!
Oh quanto desidererei che voi sopportaste da parte mia un po’ di follia! Ma pure, sopportatemi!
Obyście chcieli na chwilę znosić głupstwo moje! ale i znaszajcie mię.
О, если бы вы несколько были снисходительны к моему неразумию! Но вы и снисходите ко мне.
但願 你們寬容 我 這一點 愚妄， 其實 你們原是寬容 我的。
Put up with me if I am a little foolish: but, truly, you do put up with me.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · II Corinthians 11:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that in 2 Corinthians 11:1 Paul prepares his readers for a passage of self-commendation he would rather avoid. He calls this self-defense 'foolishness' (ἀφροσύνη) not because it is wrong, but because boasting normally springs from pride and appears imprudent. As Adam Clarke notes, Paul speaks of 'my seeming folly', the necessity of vindication forced on him by false apostles. Calvin emphasizes that Paul 'turns to express a wish, as persons do when they do not venture openly to entreat,' then gathers confidence to command their patience. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown observes that the Greek term for folly here (ἀφροσύνη) implies imprudence rather than moral perversity, distinguishing it from the harsher word used in Matthew 5:22. Vincent’s Word Studies agrees that Paul speaks ironically of 'that legitimate self-vindication demanded by the circumstances.' The central point of consensus: Paul’s plea for forbearance is not a sign of weakness but a strategic expression of humility, allowing him to boast in a way that serves the gospel rather than his ego.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Imperative interpretation: Paul commands the Corinthians to bear with him; the grammar allows an imperative reading, and the following verses ('for I am jealous…') give reasons for the command.
- Indicative interpretation: The same verb form can be indicative ('you are bearing with me'), and this fits Paul’s reassessment of the situation: they have shown patience already, so his hope is fulfilled.
- Ironic folly view: Paul genuinely believes self-praise is foolishness but uses the term ironically to lower expectations and highlight the necessity of the upcoming list of credentials.
What is clear: Paul is reluctant to boast but feels compelled by love for the church and the need to counter false apostles, and he asks the Corinthians for patient forbearance.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Paul's 'folly' | Almost all interpreters agree Paul is not actually foolish; he speaks ironically because self-praise normally appears unseemly. | Some (e.g., Wesley) emphasize that commending oneself is genuinely folly apart from necessity; others (Clarke, Calvin) stress that the term is purely concessive and does not reflect Paul’s true judgment. |
| Mood of 'bear with me' (ἀνέχεσθε) in the second clause | The verse contains a shift from a wish to a statement or request. Traditions agree Paul is asking for patience. | Chrysostom and many modern translators read it as indicative: 'you do bear with me' (so BSB, WEB). The Vulgate, Tyndale, and many Reformed commentators (Calvin, JFB) render it as imperative: 'but indeed bear with me.' The Cambridge Bible notes that the imperative 'harmonizes best with what follows.' |
| Whether Paul's self-defense is necessary or optional | All see Paul’s boasting as forced by the false apostles’ slanders and the Corinthians’ vulnerability. | Matthew Henry and Gill stress the necessity for the glory of God and the protection of the church; others (e.g., some modern readers) argue Paul could have remained silent and trusted God to vindicate him. The apostle himself says he was 'constrained' (2 Cor 12:11). |
| The meaning of 'little' (μικρόν) | Paul asks only for a brief indulgence, not a long discourse. | Some see it as a modest limit on his boasting; others think it reflects his discomfort in speaking about himself at all (Vincent). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul writes 2 Corinthians against a backdrop of strained relations with the Corinthian church. False apostles, likely Jewish-Christian itinerants boasting of credentials, eloquence, and miraculous signs, had undermined Paul’s authority (2 Cor 11:4, 5, 13). They accused him of being bold in letters but timid in person (2 Cor 10:10), and of refusing financial support, which they twisted as a sign of disingenuous love. Paul’s refusal to accept payment (2 Cor 11:7, 11) was meant to set him apart from those who 'peddle the word of God' (2 Cor 2:17), but it became a point of suspicion. In this volatile context, Paul is forced to defend his apostolic credentials. In ancient Greek and Roman rhetoric, self-praise was considered vulgar and often foolish, a mark of the boastful braggart (ἀλαζών). Paul acknowledges that his self-defense looks like that kind of folly. Yet he insists it is necessary: the Corinthians have already 'borne with' a different gospel (v.4), so they should at least bear with him in a 'little' act of seeming foolishness. The phrase 'I wish' (Ὄφελον) echoes Old Testament expressions of longing (Num 11:29; Josh 7:7; 2 Kings 5:3), conveying reluctance. Paul does not want to boast; he is compelled by love for a congregation he 'promised in marriage to one husband' (v.2). The cultural expectation was that a humble leader avoided self-praise. Paul turns that expectation on its head, using the very accusation of folly as a platform to list his labors and sufferings, not to exalt himself, but to show that true apostolic authority is forged in weakness.
Textual Notes
The earliest manuscripts (P46, Sinaiticus, Vaticanus) read 'a little foolishness' without the possessive pronoun 'my' (μου), though later Byzantine manuscripts add it. The omission strengthens the ironic tone: Paul does not even claim the folly as his own. The second verb ἀνέχεσθε is unambiguous in form (2nd person present middle/passive), but its mood is debated: contextually it could be indicative (as in WEB) or imperative (as in KJV). The oldest witnesses provide no punctuation to settle the question. No other significant variants are noted in the supplied sources.
Reception History
From the early church, Chrysostom read the second clause as an affirmation ('ye do bear with me'), emphasizing Paul’s pastoral confidence. The Vulgate rendered it as an imperative ('sed supportate me', but bear with me), which influenced medieval commentaries and the KJV. John Calvin praised Paul’s ‘contrivance’ in expressing a wish before boldly commanding patience. Luther saw here an example of apostolic humility that rebukes all self-righteous boasting. Throughout church history, this verse has been cited to justify necessary self-defense in ministry while warning against pride. Modern evangelical scholars highlight it as a model of gospel-centered irony: the apostle who boasts in weakness (12:9) must also, reluctantly, list his labors to expose false teachers.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Reluctant Boaster, Paul frames his self-defense as ‘folly’ (ἀφροσύνη) and begs forbearance, showing he takes no pleasure in praising himself. His reluctance is a mark of humility, not hesitation.
- The Forbearance of the Flock, Paul asks the Corinthians to ‘bear with’ him (ἀνέχεσθε), a verb used of patient endurance (cf. Matt 17:17; Acts 18:14). The church’s patience is not passive tolerance but active trust in a pastor who is being slandered.
- Necessity over Preference, Though boasting feels foolish, Paul must do it for the gospel’s sake. Love for the church (2:3, 4) overrides embarrassment.
Five-point outline
- Introduction: Paul’s ironic plea as a bridge to self-defense.
- The nature of the ‘foolishness’, imprudence, not immorality.
- The request for forbearance, both a wish and a command.
- Why the plea is needed, false apostles and endangered faith.
- The deeper purpose, to present the church as a pure virgin to Christ (v.2).
Illustration hooks
- Teacher defending a grading policy, A veteran teacher, after years of being accused of favoritism, must reluctantly list every student’s grades and extra help sessions to prove fairness. She feels foolish for needing to defend her integrity, but the gossip has affected her classroom.
- Parent listing sacrifices, A parent, stung by a teenager’s accusation of not caring, hesitantly names quiet sacrifices made over years: extra shifts, missed hobbies, early morning drives. The child says, ‘You don’t have to do all that.’ The parent replies, ‘I wish you could just know without my saying it, but you’re not seeing it. So please bear with me.’
- Honest résumé moment, In a job interview, a candidate feels awkward listing accomplishments, so they say, ‘Forgive me, I’m not comfortable talking about myself, but the position requires this background.’ The interviewer respects the humility.
Questions your congregation is asking
- ‘Is it ever okay for a Christian to boast or defend their reputation?’
- ‘How do I know when I’m boasting for pride versus necessity?’
- ‘If Paul felt foolish defending himself, should I feel guilty when I have to stand up for my character or ministry?’
Leading a Discussion
Paul’s request for forbearance opens a passage where he reluctantly defends his apostolic credentials. The irony is deliberate: he calls his defense ‘folly’ to signal that he is not boasting for ego, but for the sake of a congregation he loves. This small-group guide helps readers explore the tension between humility and necessary self-vindication.
Discussion questions
- Observation: Why does Paul describe his upcoming self-defense as ‘foolishness’? What does that word (ἀφροσύνη) suggest about his attitude?
- Observation: How does Paul’s plea for patience (ἀνέχεσθε) compare with Jesus’ use of the same verb in Matthew 17:17 (‘How long shall I bear with you’)?
- Interpretation: Why does Paul seem to both wish for patience and then assert that they do bear with him? What does this tension reveal about his confidence in the Corinthians?
- Interpretation: Calvin says Paul ‘turns to express a wish, as persons do when they do not venture openly to entreat.’ How does this fit Paul’s situation with the church at Corinth?
- Application: When have you felt forced to defend your own reputation or character? How did you handle the tension between humility and the need to set the record straight?
- Application: Paul limits his request to ‘a little’ foolishness. Why is it important to set boundaries even on necessary self-defense? What would ‘too much’ look like?
- Further reflection: In a culture that rewards self-promotion, how can Christians learn to boast only in the cross (Gal 6:14) and yet give an honest account of their work?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Numbers 11:29 | Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yahweh’s people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!” |
| Joshua 7:7 | Joshua said, “Alas, Lord Yahweh, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? I wish that we had been content and lived beyond the Jordan! |
| II Kings 5:3 | She said to her mistress, “I wish that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.” |
| Matthew 17:17 | Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.” |
| Acts 18:14 | But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you; |
| Acts 26:29 | Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.” |
| I Corinthians 1:21 | For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe. |
| I Corinthians 3:18 | Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool that he may become wise. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that the Greek does not contain the word "God" here, so he translates the phrase as a modest wish rather than a prayer. He sees Paul's language about "folly" as a concession to how his self-defense might appear, not an admission that boasting is actually foolish.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes reads Paul's request to "bear with me in my folly" as an ironic plea, forced on the apostle by opponents who accused him of boasting while they boasted themselves. Paul admits that boasting is generally foolish, but circumstances compel him to do it anyway in order to defend his apostolic credentials against those who denied them.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin notes that Paul begins with a hesitant wish, as if he dares not ask openly, but then gathers confidence and commands the Corinthians to bear with him. Paul calls his boasting "folly" not because it is foolish, but because self-praise is unseemly and he is forced to it by necessity. Calvin follows the Vulgate's imperative reading, seeing a deliberate shift from timid request to bold command.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible highlights a translation choice in Paul's plea for patience: the Greek could be read as an imperative ("bear with me") or an indicative ("you do bear with me"). It argues for the imperative because it fits better with Paul's follow-up appeal, even though most recent editors follow Chrysostom's indicative rendering.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Note draws attention to the apostle's earnest wish that his readers would bear with what he calls his foolishness, then immediately acknowledges that they already do tolerate him. The comment highlights both Paul's humble request and his grateful recognition of their patient acceptance.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Paul felt compelled to defend his apostolic character, something his modesty would normally forbid. The false apostles' boasting forced Paul to speak in self-praise for the honor of God and the church's safety, and he urgently asks the Corinthians to bear with this apparent folly a little longer.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights Paul's deep reluctance to praise himself, calling it "folly" even when necessary. The apostle's self-defense is driven not by pride but by a godly jealousy for the Corinthians, whom he has betrothed to Christ. He fears false teachers may corrupt their simple devotion, as the serpent deceived Eve.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent highlights the irony in Paul's use of "folly" to describe his own self-defense. He notes that what seems like foolish boasting is actually a necessary vindication forced by the circumstances. The Greek phrase for "bear with me" can also be read as a statement that they already do bear with him.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley anticipates that his self-commendation will strike readers as foolish bragging. He admits it would be foolish in any normal situation, but insists this occasion makes it absolutely necessary, so he prepares his audience beforehand to avoid giving offense.