2 Corinthians 11:16

Contextual Overview

¹⁶ I tell you again: No one should think that I am a fool. But if you think I am a fool, then accept me as you would accept a fool. Then I can boast a little too. ¹⁶ I repeat, let no one think me foolish; but even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. ¹⁶ I saye agayne lest eny man thynke yt I am folishe: or els eve now take me as a fole that I maye bost my silfe a lytell. ¹⁶ I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little. ¹⁶ Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little.¹⁶ I tell you again: No one should think I am a fool. But if you think so, accept me as you would accept a fool. Then I can brag a little, too. ¹⁶ I say again, let no man think me foolish; but if [you do], yet receive me as foolish, that I also may glory a little. ¹⁶ I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. ¹⁶ I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. ¹⁶ I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

say: 2 Corinthians 11:1

Let: 2 Corinthians 11:21-23, 2 Corinthians 12:6, 2 Corinthians 12:11

receive me: or, suffer me, 2 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Corinthians 11:19

Reciprocal: Job 13:2 - General Romans 15:17 - whereof 2 Corinthians 5:13 - we be beside 2 Corinthians 7:2 - Receive 2 Corinthians 11:10 - no man shall stop me of this boasting 2 Corinthians 11:30 - must Philippians 4:17 - because

Cross-References

Genesis 10:21
To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, children were born.

Genesis 10:21
And to Shem, the father of all the sons of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, to him also were sons born.

Genesis 10:21
Shem, Japheth's older brother, also had sons. One of his descendants was the father of all the sons of Eber.

Genesis 10:21
And sons were also born to Shem (the older brother of Japheth), the father of all the sons of Eber.

Genesis 10:21
To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were [children] born.

Genesis 10:21
To Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, to him also were children born.

Genesis 10:21
Also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber [including the Hebrews], the older brother of Japheth, children were born.

Genesis 10:21
Also of Sem weren borun the fadris of alle the sones of Heber, and Japhet was the more brother.

Genesis 10:21
As to Shem, father of all sons of Eber, brother of Japheth the elder, he hath also begotten:

Genesis 10:21
And sons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth; Shem was the forefather of all the sons of Eber.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I say again, let no man think me a fool,.... For praising himself, or speaking in his own commendation; which he was obliged to do, in vindication of his own character, against the false apostles, for the sake of the Gospel he preached, and for the advantage and welfare of the Corinthians; that they might not be imposed upon and carried away with the insinuations of these deceitful men; wherefore he desires them once more, that if he must be accounted a fool for speaking in his own behalf;

if otherwise, says he, if they could not be persuaded that he acted a wise part, but must be looked upon as a fool, for what he said of himself,

yet as a fool receive me; or "suffer me", or bear with my folly: he desires that he might have, and use the liberty which fools have usually granted to them, to speak out the truth, and all they know, which is not always allowed to wise men:

that I may boast myself a little; in a few instances, and for a small space of time; he suggests, that the false apostles boasted much of themselves, and they bore with them, and had done so for a great while; and therefore it was no unreasonable request he made, that they would also suffer him to boast of himself a little, especially since there was such an absolute necessity for it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I say again - I repeat it. He refers to what he had said in 2 Corinthians 11:1. The sense is, “I have said much respecting myself which may seem to be foolish. I admit that to boast in this manner of one’s own self in general is folly. But circumstances compel me to it. And I entreat you to look at those circumstances and not regard me as a fool for doing it.”

If otherwise - If you think otherwise. If I cannot obtain this of you that you will not regard me as acting prudently and wisely. If you will think me foolish, still I am constrained to make these remarks in vindication of myself.

Yet as a fool receive me - Margin, “Suffer;” see 2 Corinthians 11:1. Bear with me as you do with others. Consider how much I have been provoked to this; how necessary it is to my character; and do not reject and despise me because I am constrained to say that of myself which is usually regarded as foolish boasting.

That I may boast myself a little - Since others do it and are not rebuked, may I be permitted to do it also; see 2 Corinthians 11:18-19. There is something sarcastic in the words “a little.” The sense is, “Others are allowed to boast a great deal. Assuredly I may be allowed to boast a little of what I have done.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 16. Let no man think me a fool — See the note on 2 Corinthians 11:1. As the apostle was now going to enter into a particular detail of his qualifications, natural, acquired, and spiritual; and particularly of his labours and sufferings; he thinks it necessary to introduce the discourse once more as he did 2 Corinthians 11:1.