Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 11:19

What does 2 Corinthians 11:19 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 11:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 11:19 means

Paul uses sharp irony: the Corinthians, who fancy themselves wise, have gladly tolerated fools. Their supposed discernment has failed. By welcoming boasting teachers, they have mistaken arrogance for authority and rhetoric for truth. Paul’s sarcasm is meant to wake them up. Wisdom should produce discernment that rejects folly, not embraces it. He prepares them to reconsider whom they honor and why. If they can endure foolishness from deceivers, they should at least listen to him as he speaks in this mode to expose the contrast between empty bravado and the costly authenticity of true apostolic service.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For you put up with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for gladly do ye bear with the fools--being wise,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For you gladly suffer the foolish: whereas yourselves are wise.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For ye bear fools readily, being wise.

Context

Paul leverages irony to confront misplaced admiration. This corrective sets up the stinging description of what the Corinthians have endured from false leaders (v.20): bondage, exploitation, and humiliation. He will then say he has been “weak” by comparison (v.21), before pivoting to match boldness with boldness. From v.22 onward, he will catalog his equal Jewish credentials and his surpassing record of sufferings, which confirms his authenticity as a minister of Christ. The sequence is building toward the paradox of boasting in weakness (v.30).

v.18Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

v.19This passage

v.20For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:10

    We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.

  • Revelation 3:17

    Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:

  • 1 Corinthians 10:15

    I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:1

    Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.

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