2 Corinthians 11

1. Would [to God]. The words “to God” are not in the original, and should be omitted.

and indeed bear with me. Or, “but also ye do bear.”

4. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, etc. If your new teacher had a new Saviour, a new Comforter, or a new and better gospel, to preach to you, you might well endure him: but it is not so, for I do not fall short of these “over-great apostles,” who are, however, false apostles (13) in any respect, except in rhetorical display (1 Cor. ii. 1-4);—certainly not in knowledge of the only one gospel (cp. Gal. i. 7, 8), nor in openness of conduct (6), nor in toil and suffering (22-30).

7 abasing myself. Partly by labouring for my support, and partly by receiving it, as some might think, unfairly from other Christians (Phil. iv. 15-18), instead of claiming it from you. My opponents are not so self-abasing.

9 the brethren. Perhaps Silas and Timothy: see Acts xviii. 5.

12 that I may cut off occasion, etc. That I may take from them all excuse for saying that I preach for money.

that wherein they glory, etc. “I do it in order that, in the matter [of claim to support] of which they boast, they may be compelled to act as I do.” Paul knew that those men would not render any disinterested services; “for (he says) they are false apostles, crafty workers,” etc., pretending to seek your good, but really seeking their own unworthy ends.

14 is transformed. Rather, “transformeth (or ‘fashioneth’) himself.” So in 13 and 15, “fashion themselves.” It is the same form of the verb that is used in each of the three verses, 13, 14, 15.

15 whose end shall be according to their works. Being, not God’s servants, but Satan’s, and doing his work, they must receive his wages: see Rom. vi. 23; Phil. iii. 19.

16. I say again. Paul, referring to ver. 1, now says, “Even, if you do think me foolish for boasting, you can surely tolerate me, for (as such wise men should) you tolerate men who are not only foolish, but domineering, rapacious, and insolent.”

17 not after the Lord. Not as a servant of Christ, but putting myself in the position of a foolish man, boasting of the doings and circumstances of his own human nature (ver. 20, etc.).

20 if a man take [of you]. Rather, as R.V., “taketh you captive.”

21. I speak as concerning reproach. Or, “I say it (ironically) to my own disparagement, that I was weak among you”; not boastful, arrogant, and covetous, like some others.

23 as a fool. “As if I were out of my mind” (Weymouth).

24-27. Only a few of the particulars referred to are related in the Book of Acts. “The five Jewish scourgings, two of the three Roman beatings (one being at Philippi), and the three shipwrecks, are unrecorded in Acts. The stoning was at Lystra. What a life of incessant adventure and peril is here disclosed to us!” (Compleure). Had Paul not been forced to defend himself against these professedly Christian enemies, the Church would have lost this wonderful record of Christian heroism and devotedness. “It is remarkable that St. Paul does not glory in what he has done, but in what he has borne” (F. W. Robertson).

24 forty stripes save one. See note on Deut. xxv. 3.

25 shipwreck. The shipwreck so fully related in Acts xxvii. 41-44, occurred about years after this time.

26 waters. “Rivers”; which were probably swollen.

27 watchings often. Sleepless nights through anxiety, suffering, or business: cp. Acts xx. 7, 11, 31; 2 Thess. iii. 8.

28. Beside those things that are without. Rather, “Beside the things omitted, [there is] that which,” etc.: implying that the list was far from being exhausted; cp. Heb. xi. 32.

29. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Such is my care or concern (28) for the churches, that whoever suffers, I feel it; whoever is caused to stumble, I burn with indignation. Cp. the apostle’s letter to the Galatian churches.

30 the things which concern mine infirmities. Lit., “the things of my weakness”: referring probably to those sufferings which made some think him contemptible.

32 the governor under Aretas. Damascus was at that time under Aretas, an Arabian king, who ruled it by an ethnarch, or deputy. He was the father-in-law of Herod Antipas (Josephus, Antiq. xviii. 5, § 1). The governor, gained perhaps by bribery, had empowered the Jews to keep the gates of the city and to kill Paul (Acts ix. 24).

33 by the wall. Rather, “through the wall”; i.e., through an “opening” in it.