I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
- 2 Corinthians 11:16-21a
In this section of his letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul defends himself against accusations and comparisons made by those undermining his authority. He shared previously about boasting only in Christ, so his boasting here is ironic, only “boasting” because he must use that technique to make his point.
Paul opens this section in verse 16 by repeating his earlier statement from 2 Corinthians 11:1. He does not want to be taken as a fool, but he realizes that some in Corinth already view him as one due to the accusations from the "super-apostles" (11:5). These so-called apostles have been presenting themselves as superior to Paul, undermining his work and authority. Paul, knowing that boasting is not the behavior of a true follower of Christ, decides to engage in it reluctantly to demonstrate the absurdity of the situation.
The phrase “if you do, then tolerate me” is filled with irony. Paul is playing along with their perspective, knowing full well that such boasting is foolish. This sets up the sarcasm he will employ in the following verses.
In verse 17, Paul distances his upcoming words from the teachings of Jesus. He makes it clear that the boasting he is about to engage in is not from divine guidance but rather from his human frustration. He is breaking away from his usual Christ-centered teachings to show the Corinthians the absurdity of comparing him to the false apostles based on worldly achievements or self-promotion. Paul’s statement shows his discomfort with the approach he’s taking. He knows that it goes against the values of humility and servanthood that Christ exemplified, yet he feels compelled to engage in this foolish boasting to make his point.
Paul contrasts the behavior of the false apostles with his own in verse 18. These men were boasting of their own accomplishments, credentials, and experiences in a worldly way. They were appealing to the Corinthians by promoting themselves, likely using their rhetorical skills, physical appearance, or Jewish heritage to make themselves seem more impressive.
Paul, seeing that this is what the Corinthians seem to respect, decides to engage in similar behavior—but with a twist. His boasting will not be the kind that the world esteems. Instead, Paul’s “boasting” will reveal his weaknesses, sufferings, and hardships for the sake of the gospel. This verse highlights an important lesson: the world tends to value the wrong things—strength, status, and self-promotion—while the gospel turns these values upside down. Paul’s upcoming boast will serve to critique these worldly values.
Paul’s irony becomes sharper in verse 19. The Corinthians have allowed themselves to be influenced by these false apostles, and Paul sarcastically congratulates them on their wisdom. This “wisdom” is, of course, foolishness, as they have allowed themselves to be deceived by outward appearances and worldly boasting rather than focusing on the gospel message.
This line is a rebuke disguised in sarcasm. The Corinthians, in their so-called wisdom, have made themselves vulnerable to being led astray by people who lack true spiritual insight. Paul calls this out in a way that both highlights their error and sets the stage for his own countercultural boasting.
Paul goes on to describe the abusive behavior of the false apostles in verse 20. The language he uses—enslaving, exploiting, taking advantage, putting on airs, slapping—conveys the level of oppression and mistreatment these supposed leaders were inflicting on the Corinthian believers. Paul is incredulous that the Corinthians have not only tolerated this but have seemingly accepted it.
The term "slaps you in the face" is likely metaphorical, referring to public humiliation or mistreatment. These false apostles had exerted control over the Corinthians, manipulating them emotionally, spiritually, and perhaps even financially. This verse offers a profound warning: not all who claim spiritual authority have the right to lead. Even today, we must be vigilant against leaders who exploit or manipulate rather than serve and care for their communities.
Paul’s sarcasm reaches its peak in this final line, the first half of verse 21. He admits, ironically, that he was "too weak" to exploit or mistreat the Corinthians in the same way the false apostles had. Of course, this is not a true confession of weakness but a critique of the Corinthian values. Paul is not weak in the gospel; rather, his strength comes from his humility, service, and dedication to the truth of Christ.
This is a powerful conclusion to Paul’s ironic boasting. In admitting he was "too weak," Paul highlights the absurdity of valuing those who boast of worldly strength, control, and dominance. His real strength lies in his willingness to suffer and serve, as he will explain in the following verses.
Paul’s use of irony in this passage serves to expose the foolishness of the Corinthians in following the false apostles. We, too, can be tempted to value things that the world considers wise—success, influence, power—over the true wisdom found in humility and service to Christ. True Christian leadership is not about power, control, or self-promotion. It’s about serving others, often at great personal cost. The approach that Paul takes to boasting speaks to the heart of the gospel message: it’s not about what we can achieve, but about what God does in and through us, often in spite of our weaknesses.
Paul’s message is clear: true leadership comes from humility, service, and suffering for the sake of the gospel, not from self-promotion or exploitation. As followers of Christ, we are called to reject the values of the world and embrace the wisdom of the cross, boasting not in our own strength but in our weaknesses, where God’s power is made perfect.
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