2 Corinthians 11:19

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} ye suffer {G430} fools {G878} gladly {G2234}, seeing ye yourselves are {G5607} wise {G5429}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For since you yourselves are so wise, you gladly put up with fools!

Berean Standard Bible

For you gladly tolerate fools, since you are so wise.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Corinthians 11:19, the Apostle Paul employs biting irony to critique the Corinthian believers. He sarcastically commends them for their perceived wisdom, which paradoxically leads them to tolerate and even embrace the deceptive teachings and exploitative practices of false apostles. This verse is a sharp indictment, revealing the Corinthians' spiritual blindness and their dangerous susceptibility to those who would lead them astray, all while they prided themselves on their superior discernment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial part of Paul's "fool's speech" (2 Corinthians 11:1-12:13), a section where he reluctantly adopts the rhetorical style of his opponents to expose their true nature and defend his own legitimate apostleship. Having been forced to boast (a practice he generally disdains) due to the Corinthians' acceptance of "super-apostles" who challenged his authority, Paul uses hyperbole and sarcasm to highlight the absurdity of their situation. He contrasts his own self-sacrificial ministry, marked by weakness and suffering, with the self-exalting, financially burdensome, and even abusive ministry of the false teachers. Verse 19 sets up the stark contrast with the explicit list of abuses in [2 Corinthians 11:20](/2_corinthians/11-20 "2 Corinthians 11:20 - The Exploitation by False Apostles"), where Paul enumerates how the Corinthians are enslaved, devoured, taken advantage of, and even physically abused by those they so readily "suffer gladly."

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub known for its wealth, diverse philosophical schools, and a strong emphasis on rhetoric and worldly wisdom. The Corinthian church, consequently, was influenced by this cultural milieu, valuing eloquent speakers, impressive displays of power, and human wisdom over the humble, suffering, and seemingly unimpressive ministry of Paul. The "super-apostles" (a term Paul uses ironically in [2 Corinthians 11:5](/2_corinthians/11-5 "2 Corinthians 11:5 - Paul's Irony Regarding Super-Apostles") and [2 Corinthians 12:11](/2_corinthians/12-11 "2 Corinthians 12:11 - Paul's Reluctant Boasting")) likely embodied these worldly ideals, presenting themselves with impressive oratorical skills, claims of spiritual superiority, and perhaps even demanding financial support, unlike Paul who chose to work with his own hands to avoid burdening the church ([2 Corinthians 11:7-9](/2_corinthians/11-7-9 "2 Corinthians 11:7-9 - Paul's Self-Sufficiency")). The Corinthians' pride in their own "wisdom" made them susceptible to such charlatans, as they believed their intellectual sophistication allowed them to discern truth, when in reality it blinded them.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 2 Corinthians and Paul's broader theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Irony and Sarcasm** as a rhetorical tool Paul masterfully employs to expose folly. His "praise" for their wisdom is, in fact, a scathing critique of their lack of spiritual discernment. Secondly, the verse highlights the critical importance of **Spiritual Discernment** versus worldly wisdom. The Corinthians prided themselves on being "wise" (φρόνιμοι), yet their actions demonstrated a profound inability to distinguish between genuine apostolic ministry and deceptive exploitation. This failure to [test the spirits](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits") left them vulnerable to the **Dangers of False Teaching and Exploitation**, a pervasive concern for Paul throughout his letters. The "fools" Paul refers to are precisely those who prey on believers, enslaving them and taking advantage of them, as detailed in [2 Corinthians 11:20](/2_corinthians/11-20 "2 Corinthians 11:20 - The Exploitation by False Apostles"). Finally, the verse implicitly contrasts **True Wisdom (Christ-centered)** with **Worldly Wisdom**, a theme Paul explores more fully in [1 Corinthians 1-2](/1_corinthians/1-2 "1 Corinthians 1-2 - The Wisdom of God vs. The Wisdom of the World"), where he argues that God's wisdom often appears as foolishness to the world, and worldly wisdom is foolishness to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **suffer (Greek, _anéchomai'_):** From G430, this verb means "to hold oneself up against," or figuratively, "to put up with, bear with, endure, forbear." Paul uses it to describe the Corinthians' surprising tolerance for the false teachers' abusive behavior. It implies a passive acceptance, an enduring of something burdensome or irritating, rather than an active resistance or rejection.
* **fools (Greek, _áphrōn'_):** From G878, this word means "mindless, stupid, without reason, ignorant." It can also imply egotism or rashness. Paul applies this term to the false apostles, directly contrasting their lack of true wisdom and spiritual understanding with the Corinthians' self-proclaimed "wisdom." It characterizes those who act without proper thought or spiritual insight, often leading to destructive outcomes.
* **gladly (Greek, _hēdéōs'_):** From G2234, this adverb means "sweetly" or "with pleasure." Its inclusion here intensifies Paul's irony. The Corinthians are not merely tolerating the fools, but doing so with a surprising degree of willingness or even enjoyment, perhaps because the false teachers' style or message appealed to their worldly sensibilities.
* **wise (Greek, _phrónimos'_):** From G5429, this term denotes being "thoughtful, sagacious, discreet, prudent, or sensible." While it can signify genuine wisdom, Paul uses it here sarcastically. The Corinthians consider themselves discerning and intelligent, and it is this self-perception that ironically makes them complacent and open to deception, believing they are too clever to be fooled.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For ye suffer fools gladly,"**: This initial clause sets the stage for Paul's cutting irony. The conjunction "For" (G1063, _gár_) introduces the reason or explanation for Paul's preceding statements about his reluctance to boast. He states that the Corinthians are willingly enduring or putting up with "fools"—a direct and derogatory label for the false apostles—and doing so "gladly" or "with pleasure." This highlights the shocking complacency and misguided acceptance of the Corinthian church towards those who were exploiting them.
* **"seeing ye [yourselves] are wise."**: This second clause reveals the sarcastic core of Paul's statement. The phrase "seeing ye yourselves are wise" is Paul's ironic commentary on the Corinthians' self-perception. They believe themselves to be discerning, prudent, and intellectually superior (φρόνιμοι), and it is this very self-proclaimed wisdom that Paul implies is the reason they are so tolerant of the "fools." Their pride in their own sagacity makes them believe they are above being harmed by such individuals, or perhaps that their wisdom allows them to appreciate the "fools'" superficial qualities. Paul suggests their supposed wisdom has, in fact, led them into a dangerous spiritual blindness.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 11:19 is a masterclass in **Irony** and **Sarcasm**. He uses praise ("ye yourselves are wise") to convey profound criticism, highlighting the stark contrast between the Corinthians' self-perception and their actual behavior. The **Irony** lies in the idea that their supposed wisdom is precisely what makes them foolishly tolerant of destructive influences. This is further amplified by **Sarcasm**, where Paul's words are intended to mock and sting, revealing the absurdity of their situation. He is not genuinely commending them but rather exposing their spiritual blindness and lack of discernment through a biting, inverted compliment. The verse also contains an element of **Paradox**, as the very quality they pride themselves on (wisdom) leads them to a contradictory and harmful outcome (suffering fools gladly).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a profound theological warning against spiritual pride and the dangers of misplaced discernment. It teaches that a self-perception of wisdom, divorced from true humility and adherence to Christ's truth, can lead to a dangerous susceptibility to deception. Paul implies that the Corinthians' intellectual arrogance made them vulnerable to those who appeared impressive but lacked genuine spiritual authority or integrity. True wisdom, from a biblical perspective, is not found in worldly eloquence or intellectual prowess, but in the fear of the Lord and obedience to His Word, leading to discernment that exposes falsehood rather than embraces it.

* [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")
* [1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18-25 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Foolishness of God vs. The Wisdom of the World")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's ironic statement in 2 Corinthians 11:19 resonates deeply with believers today, serving as a timeless caution against spiritual complacency and the deceptive allure of worldly wisdom. In an age saturated with information and diverse voices, the temptation to pride ourselves on our own discernment can be strong, leading us to "suffer fools gladly" who flatter our intellects or appeal to our desires, even if their teachings subtly undermine biblical truth or promote self-serving agendas. This verse challenges us to cultivate genuine humility, recognizing that true wisdom comes from God and is often revealed in weakness and simplicity, rather than in impressive displays or eloquent rhetoric. It calls us to rigorously test all teachings and leaders against the unadulterated standard of God's Word, rather than relying on our own perceived cleverness or being swayed by charisma. Our spiritual maturity is not measured by our tolerance for error, but by our unwavering commitment to truth and our vigilant protection of the flock from wolves in sheep's clothing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or faith might I be prone to spiritual pride, believing myself to be "wise" enough to discern truth without constant reliance on God's Word and the Holy Spirit?**
* **Am I "suffering fools gladly" in any aspect of my spiritual walk, perhaps tolerating teachings or influences that subtly contradict biblical truth because they are popular, appealing, or come from charismatic sources?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of humility and a more robust commitment to biblical discernment in my personal life and in my engagement with Christian teaching and leadership?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "test the spirits" and evaluate spiritual leaders and teachings more effectively, ensuring I am not swayed by worldly wisdom or superficial appearances?**

### FAQ

**What does Paul mean by "fools" in this context?**

Answer: When Paul refers to "fools" (Greek: _áphrōn_), he is speaking directly about the false apostles or "super-apostles" who had infiltrated the Corinthian church. These individuals were likely eloquent, charismatic, and presented themselves as superior to Paul, but their true character was exploitative and their teaching deviated from the genuine Gospel. Paul uses the term "fools" to strip away their impressive facade, revealing them as spiritually senseless, ignorant, and even egotistical, despite their outward appearance of wisdom or authority. He contrasts their foolishness with the Corinthians' self-proclaimed wisdom, highlighting the irony that the "wise" Corinthians were tolerating and even embracing these truly "foolish" deceivers. Paul elaborates on the actions of these "fools" in [2 Corinthians 11:20](/2_corinthians/11-20 "2 Corinthians 11:20 - The Exploitation by False Apostles"), describing how they enslaved, devoured, took advantage of, exalted themselves, and even struck the Corinthians.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's ironic critique in 2 Corinthians 11:19, where the Corinthians' self-proclaimed wisdom leads them to embrace "fools," powerfully underscores the contrast between worldly wisdom and the true wisdom found in Christ. The false apostles embodied the world's standard of impressive rhetoric and self-exaltation, which appealed to the Corinthians' pride. In stark contrast, Christ Himself is the embodiment of God's wisdom, yet He came in humility and weakness, ultimately suffering the cross, which the world deemed foolishness ([1 Corinthians 1:23-25](/1_corinthians/1-23-25 "1 Corinthians 1:23-25 - Christ Crucified, the Wisdom of God")). Paul, as a true apostle, mirrored Christ's humble approach, ministering in weakness and without charge ([2 Corinthians 11:7](/2_corinthians/11-7 "2 Corinthians 11:7 - Paul's Self-Support")). The Corinthians' failure to discern the true from the false stemmed from their inability to recognize Christ's pattern of humility in Paul and their preference for a more worldly, self-aggrandizing form of leadership. Ultimately, this verse calls believers to look to Christ as the source and standard of all true wisdom, understanding that His path often defies human logic and worldly expectations, and that true spiritual authority is demonstrated not in self-exaltation, but in sacrificial service and humble obedience, just as He exemplified in [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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 [are] honourable, but we [are] despised.

1 Corinthians 8:1

¶ Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

1 Corinthians 10:15

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

Revelation 3:17

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: