2 Corinthians 11:1
What does 2 Corinthians 11:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 11:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 11:1 means
Paul asks the Corinthians to tolerate what may sound like foolish boasting. He dislikes speaking this way, but the situation forces him to defend his ministry. He is not being vain; he knows self-praise can appear unspiritual. Yet because others have boasted falsely and misled the church, he must answer in kind for the sake of truth. His request signals humility and reluctance. He wants them to bear with him as he temporarily adopts a tone he would rather avoid. His aim is not to magnify himself, but to protect the believers he loves from deceptive voices claiming authority and undermining the gospel he preached among them.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Put up with me if I am a little foolish: but, truly, you do put up with me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862O that ye were bearing with me a little of the folly, but ye also do bear with me:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Would to God you could bear with some little of my folly! But do bear with me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Would that ye would bear with me [in] a little folly; but indeed bear with me.
Context
This opening sets the tone for a reluctant defense. Paul has hinted at boasting earlier in the letter and now proceeds, asking patience as he adopts a strategy he normally rejects. The chapter will counter the influence of rivals in Corinth who question Paul’s legitimacy. After this request, he immediately explains his motive—jealous concern for their faithfulness to Christ (v.2)—and warns about deception like that which misled Eve (v.3). His “foolishness” thus serves a pastoral goal, not personal vanity.
v.1This passage
v.2For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joshua 7:7
And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord Jehovah, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over the Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? would that we had been content and dwelt beyond the Jordan!
- 2 Corinthians 11:16
I say again, Let no man think me foolish; but ifye do, yet as foolish receive me, that I also may glory a little.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11
I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
- Acts 26:29
And Paul said, I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds.
- 2 Corinthians 5:13
For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.
- 2 Corinthians 11:4
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.
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