2 Corinthians 12:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I have behaved like a fool, but you forced me to do it — you who should have been commending me. For I am in no way inferior to the “super-emissaries,” even if I am nothing.

Berean Standard Bible:

I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

I am become^{G1096} a fool^{G878} in glorying^{G2744}; ye^{G5210} have compelled^{G315} me^{G3165}: for^{G1063} I^{G1473} ought^{G3784} to have been commended^{G4921} of^{G5259} you^{G5216}: for^{G1063} in nothing^{G3762} am I behind^{G5302} the very chiefest^{G3029} apostles^{{G652}{G5228}}, though^{G1499} I be^{G1510} nothing^{G3762}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12:11

2 Corinthians 12:11 is part of the Apostle Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth, which he founded during his second missionary journey. In this verse, Paul addresses the Corinthian believers regarding the issue of his apostolic authority and credibility. The broader context of the letter deals with challenges to his authority by certain individuals who have questioned his credentials and compared him unfavorably to other apostles, particularly those who were part of the original twelve disciples of Jesus.

In the verse, Paul expresses reluctance to boast about his accomplishments or status, stating that he has been compelled to do so because the Corinthians have not adequately defended him or recognized his worth. He indicates that he is not inferior to the "very chiefest apostles," despite his self-description as "nothing." This reflects the theme of humility and service that characterizes Paul's understanding of apostolic ministry, as well as the tension between the necessity of asserting his apostolic credentials and his desire to avoid self-promotion.

Historically, the early Christian community was grappling with defining true apostleship and leadership. Paul's letters often address the criteria for apostolic authority, emphasizing his direct encounter with the risen Christ, his sufferings for the gospel, and the success of his missionary work as evidence of his legitimacy. In 2 Corinthians 12:11, Paul is responding to critics who may have accused him of being less significant than other apostles because he was not one of the original twelve. Paul's defense serves to reinforce his authority and to remind the Corinthians of the true nature of Christian leadership, which is rooted in Christ's grace and power, not in human status or achievements.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1096
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γίνομαι
   Transliteration: gínomai
   Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
   Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
   
2. Strong's Number: G878
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄφρων
   Transliteration: áphrōn
   Pronunciation: af'-rone
   Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and φρήν; properly, mindless, i.e. stupid, (by implication) ignorant, (specially) egotistic, (practically) rash, or (morally) unbelieving:--fool(-ish), unwise.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2744
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καυχάομαι
   Transliteration: kaucháomai
   Pronunciation: kow-khah'-om-ahee
   Description: from some (obsolete) base akin to that of (to boast) and εὔχομαι; to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense):--(make) boast, glory, joy, rejoice.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5210
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμεῖς
   Transliteration: hymeîs
   Pronunciation: hoo-mice'
   Description: irregular plural of σύ; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.
   
5. Strong's Number: G315
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀναγκάζω
   Transliteration: anankázō
   Pronunciation: an-ang-kad'-zo
   Description: from ἀνάγκη; to necessitate:--compel, constrain.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3165
   There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μέ
   Transliteration: mé
   Pronunciation: meh
   Description: a shorter (and probably original) form of ἐμέ; me:--I, me, my.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1473
   There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγώ
   Transliteration: egṓ
   Pronunciation: eg-o'
   Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3784
   There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὀφείλω
   Transliteration: opheílō
   Pronunciation: of-i-leh'-o
   Description: probably from the base of ὄφελος (through the idea of accruing); to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty:--behove, be bound, (be) debt(-or), (be) due(-ty), be guilty (indebted), (must) need(-s), ought, owe, should. See also ὄφελον.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4921
    There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: συνιστάω
    Transliteration: synistáō
    Pronunciation: soon-is'-tay-mee
    Description: from σύν and ἵστημι (including its collateral forms); to set together, i.e. (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit; intransitively, to stand near, or (figuratively) to constitute:--approve, commend, consist, make, stand (with).
    
11. Strong's Number: G5259
    There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑπό
    Transliteration: hypó
    Pronunciation: hoop-o'
    Description: a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
    
12. Strong's Number: G5216
    There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμῶν
    Transliteration: hymōn
    Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
    Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
    
13. Strong's Number: G3762
    There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐδείς
    Transliteration: oudeís
    Pronunciation: oo-den'
    Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
    
14. Strong's Number: G5302
    There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑστερέω
    Transliteration: hysteréō
    Pronunciation: hoos-ter-eh'-o
    Description: from ὕστερος; to be later, i.e. (by implication) to be inferior; generally, to fall short (be deficient):--come behind (short), be destitute, fail, lack, suffer need, (be in) want, be the worse.
    
15. Strong's Number: G3029
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λίαν
    Transliteration: lían
    Pronunciation: lee'-an
    Description: of uncertain affinity; much (adverbially):--exceeding, great(-ly), sore, very (+ chiefest).
    
16. Strong's Number: G652
    There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπόστολος
    Transliteration: apóstolos
    Pronunciation: ap-os'-tol-os
    Description: from ἀποστέλλω; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
    
17. Strong's Number: G5228
    There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑπέρ
    Transliteration: hypér
    Pronunciation: hoop-er'
    Description: a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.
    
18. Strong's Number: G1499
    There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰ καί
    Transliteration: ei kaí
    Pronunciation: i kahee
    Description: from εἰ and καί; if also (or even):--if (that), though.
    
19. Strong's Number: G1510
    There are 137 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰμί
    Transliteration: eimí
    Pronunciation: i-mee'
    Description: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when emphatic):--am, have been, X it is I, was. See also εἶ, εἴην, εἶναι, εἰσί, ἦν, ἔσομαι, ἐσμέν, ἐστέ, ἐστί, κέρδος, ἴσθι, ὦ.