2 Corinthians 11:21

THE MESSAGE

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I speak in foolishness—I am just as bold myself.

Legacy Standard Bible
To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is daring—I speak in foolishness—I am just as daring myself.

Simplified Cowboy Version
I guess I should say that if you think that's what strength is, then my crew is just a bunch of pansies. We'd never treat y'all like that.But whatever they can brag about, I can brag about too! (I'm talking facetiously again if you haven't caught on yet.)

Bible in Basic English
I say this by way of shaming ourselves, as if we had been feeble. But if anyone puts himself forward (I am talking like a foolish person), I will do the same.

Darby Translation
I speak as to dishonour, as though *we* had been weak; but wherein any one is daring, (I speak in folly,) *I* also am daring.

Christian Standard Bible®
I say this to our shame: We have been weak. But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare:

World English Bible
I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I speak with regard to reproach, as though we had been weak: whereas in whatever any is confident, (I speak as a fool) I am confident also.

Weymouth's New Testament
I use the language of self-disparagement, as though I were admitting our own feebleness. Yet for whatever reason any one is `courageous' --I speak in mere folly--I also am courageous.

King James Version (1611)
I speake as concerning reproch, as though we had bene weake: howbeit, wherein soeuer any is bold, I speake foolishly, I am bold also.

Literal Translation
I speak according to dishonor, as if we have been weak. But in whatever anyone dares (I say it in foolishness), I also dare.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I speake concernynge rebuke, as though we were weake.Wherin so euer now eny man darre be bolde (I speake folishly) therin darre I be bolde also.

Mace New Testament (1729)
as if I was inferior to them. but whatever they pretend to, (I must be so vain) I pretend to the like.

Amplified Bible
To my shame, I must say, we have been too weak [in comparison to those pseudo-apostles who take advantage of you]. But in whatever anyone else dares to boast—I am speaking foolishly—I also dare to boast.

American Standard Version
I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.

Revised Standard Version
To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever any one dares to boast of--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast of that.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I speake as concernynge rebuke as though we had bene weake. How be it wherin soever eny man dare be bolde (I speake folisshly) I dare be bolde also

Update Bible Version
I speak by way of shame, as though we had been weak. Yet in what any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.

Webster's Bible Translation
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. But in whatever respect any is bold, (I speak foolishly) I am bold also.

Young's Literal Translation
in reference to dishonour I speak, how that we were weak, and in whatever any one is bold -- in foolishness I say [it] -- I also am bold.

New Century Version
It is shameful to me to say this, but we were too "weak" to do those things to you! But if anyone else is brave enough to brag, then I also will be brave and brag. (I am talking as a fool.)

New English Translation
(To my disgrace I must say that we were too weak for that!) But whatever anyone else dares to boast about (I am speaking foolishly), I also dare to boast about the same thing.

Berean Standard Bible
To my shame I concede that we were too weak for that! Speaking as a fool, however, I can match what anyone else dares to boast about.

Contemporary English Version
I am ashamed to say that we are too weak to behave in such a way. If they can brag, so can I, but it is a foolish thing to do.

Complete Jewish Bible
To my shame, I must admit that we have been too "weak" to do such things! But if anyone dares to boast about something — I'm talking like a fool! — I am just as daring.

English Standard Version
To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that.

Geneva Bible (1587)
I speake as concerning the reproche: as though that we had bene weake: but wherein any ma is bold (I speake foolishly) I am bold also.

George Lamsa Translation
I speak this as a reproach, as though we were weak. Now I speak foolishly; in whatsoever other men are bold, I venture also.

Hebrew Names Version
I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.

International Standard Version
I am ashamed to admit it, but we have been too weak for that. Whatever anyone else dares to claim - I am talking like a fool - I can claim it, too.2 Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 3:4;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
As in abasement I speak; as though we were weak through defectiveness of mind, I speak. In whatever any man dareth, I also dare.

Murdock Translation
I speak as if under contempt: I speak as if we were impotent, through deficiency of understanding; that in whatever thing any one is presuming, I also am presuming.

New King James Version
To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold--I speak foolishly--I am bold also.

New Living Translation
I'm ashamed to say that we've been too "weak" to do that! But whatever they dare to boast about—I'm talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.

New Life Bible
I am ashamed to say that I am weak! But I do not do as they do. Whatever they say about themselves, I can say about myself also. (I know what I am saying sounds foolish.)

English Revised Version
I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.

New Revised Standard
To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
By way of disparagement, am I speaking, - as though, we, had been weak! whereas, in whatsoever anyone dareth, in foolishness I speak, I also, dare: -

Douay-Rheims Bible
I seek according to dishonour, as if we had been weak in this part. Wherein if any man dare (I speak foolishly), I dare also.

King James Version
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

Lexham English Bible
I say this to my shame, namely, that we have been weak. But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am speaking in foolishness—I also dare to boast.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
I speake concernyng reproche, as though we had ben weake: Howbeit, wherin soeuer any man is bolde, (I speake foolishly) I am bolde also.

Easy-to-Read Version
I am ashamed to say it, but we were too "weak" to do such things to you. But if anyone dares to boast, I will too. (I am talking like a fool.)

New American Standard Bible
To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I am speaking in foolishness—I too am bold.

Good News Translation
I am ashamed to admit that we were too timid to do those things! But if anyone dares to boast about something—I am talking like a fool—I will be just as daring.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Bi vnnoblei Y seie, as if we weren sike in this parti. In what thing ony man dar, in vnwisdom Y seie, and Y dar.

Contextual Overview

¹⁶Let me come back to where I started—and don't hold it against me if I continue to sound a little foolish. Or if you'd rather, just accept that I am a fool and let me rant on a little. I didn't learn this kind of talk from Christ. Oh, no, it's a bad habit I picked up from the three-ring preachers that are so popular these days. Since you sit there in the judgment seat observing all these shenanigans, you can afford to humor an occasional fool who happens along. You have such admirable tolerance for impostors who rob your freedom, rip you off, steal you blind, put you down—even slap your face! I shouldn't admit it to you, but our stomachs aren't strong enough to tolerate that kind of stuff. Since you admire the egomaniacs of the pulpit so much (remember, this is your old friend, the fool, talking), let me try my hand at it. Do they brag of being Hebrews, Israelites, the pure race of Abraham? I'm their match. Are they servants of Christ? I can go them one better. (I can't believe I'm saying these things. It's crazy to talk this way! But I started, and I'm going to finish.) I've worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death's door time after time. I've been flogged five times with the Jews' thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I've been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I've had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I've been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I've known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather. And that's not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches. When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones. When someone is duped into sin, an angry fire burns in my gut. If I have to "brag" about myself, I'll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus. The eternal and blessed God and Father of our Master Jesus knows I'm not lying. Remember the time I was in Damascus and the governor of King Aretas posted guards at the city gates to arrest me? I crawled through a window in the wall, was let down in a basket, and had to run for my life.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

as though: 2 Corinthians 10:1, 2 Corinthians 10:2, 2 Corinthians 10:10, 2 Corinthians 13:10

whereinsoever: 2 Corinthians 11:22-27, Philippians 3:3-6

I speak: 2 Corinthians 11:17, 2 Corinthians 11:23

Reciprocal: Job 12:3 - But I have Job 15:9 - knowest Matthew 18:31 - they Matthew 26:67 - and others 1 Corinthians 8:9 - weak 2 Corinthians 7:4 - my boldness 2 Corinthians 11:16 - Let 2 Corinthians 11:18 - many Galatians 2:6 - these who Galatians 2:11 - I withstood Philemon 1:8 - bold

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I speak as concerning reproach,.... These words may be considered either as explanative of the latter part of the former verse, "if a man smite you on the face"; that is not to be understood strictly and literally, of one man's striking another on the face, but of reproach and contumelious language, used by the false apostles to the Corinthians; or they may have reference to the apostle's design in the whole, which was partly to reproach, the Corinthians for acting such a stupid part, in patiently bearing so many and such indignities from these men; and partly to expose the scandalous and reproachful usage of them by the false apostles, that if possible their eyes might be opened to see through them, and discard them: or else these words may be regarded in connection with what follows,

as though we had been weak; and then the apostle's meaning is, that as to the business of scandal and reproach he was speaking of, this was not confined to the Corinthians only, but they the true apostles had their share of it; for the false apostles reproached them, as poor, weak, fearful, and pusillanimous men; because they did not use that authority, and exercise that domination over them, they did not bring them into bondage, devour their substance, take away their goods from them by force, insult over them, and treat them in an ignominious and contemptuous manner; and intimated that they were upon all accounts inferior to them, and not worthy to be mentioned with them; which moved the apostle to exert himself, and boldly rise up in his own defence, saying,

howbeit, wherein soever any is bold; to boast of his pedigree, character, office, and usefulness,

I speak foolishly; as it might seem, and be so interpreted by some,

I am bold also; to enter the lists with him, to compare notes, and see on which side the superiority lies; and which is done in the following verses, to the full confutation of all the pride, vanity, blind boasting of the false apostles.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 dishonor, 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 2 Corinthians 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 lack of qualifications for the office, of my lack of talent, or elevated rank, or honorable birth, etc. I have not pressed my claims, but have been reasoning as if all this were true - as if all that was honorable 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 full statement of his advantages of birth and of his labors 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 - (δέ de). But. The sense is, if anyone 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 - (ἐν ᾧ en hō. 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, labors, they will find that I do not shrink from the comparison.

Any is bold - (τις τολμᾷ tis tolma). Anyone who dares to boast; anyone who 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

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."