2 Corinthians 11:1

Would to God. In chapters 11 and 12 Paul proceeds to vindicate his claim to apostolic office and authority, and thus to counteract the tactics of his opponents, by boasting of his own weakness and of the power of God. The boasts of his opponents stressed and exaggerated Paul’s weaknesses and inadequacies, supposed or real, implying, by contrast, their own vaunted ability as apostles (see on ch. 10:10). The words “to God” are not in the Greek, but were supplied by the translators.

Bear with me. Paul would prefer not to indulge even in the humble boasting about his weaknesses in which he is about to engage, and requests their condescension to listen to him.

My folly. Certain expressions appear repeatedly in chapters 11 and 12: (1) “bear with” and “suffer” (both from anecho, ch. 11:1, 4, 19, 20), and (2) “folly” and “fool” (chs. 11:1, 16, 17, 19; 12:6, 11). Paul’s critics had apparently made the apostle out to be a fool, and now, as a “fool,” he boasts of his “infirmities” (ch. 11:30) and apologetically speaks of his boasting as “folly.” To boast as Paul’s critics did was, to him, folly of the crudest sort, a kind of boasting that he considered altogether incompatible with his self-sacrificing humility, quiet dignity, and apostolic responsibility. Such boasting was utterly opposed to the spirit of Christ (Phil. 2:5-8), and Paul felt foolish indeed to be placed in a position where (see on 2 Cor. 10:8, 13-18; 12:10, 11), to defend his apostolic authority, it seemed needful to engage in what might be taken as boasting (ch. 11:16). In his boasting Paul calls attention to:

1. His apostleship — his title, office, and authority — as being in no way inferior to that of the “chiefest apostles” (v. 5).

2. His preaching of the gospel without charge or material support from any of the Corinthian believers, whereas his opponents had literally robbed them (chs. 11:7-10, 19, 20; 12:13-18).

3. His equality of heritage (ch. 11:22).

4. His abundant labors (ch. 11:23).

5. His unbelievable sufferings, trials, and persecutions for Christ’s sake (chs. 11:23–33).

6. His visions and revelations (ch. 12:1-5).

7. His “thorn in the flesh” (ch. 12:7-10).

If boasting is in order, Paul has much of which a person could boast. In comparison, what had his enemies to boast about? By boasting he exposes the emptiness of their pretentious claims. His reason for condescending to speak of himself and his labors as he does is to help them to realize and appreciate what he had accomplished among them, so that they might not be led by the false apostles to despise him and his message, thus destroying the fruit of his labors.

Bear with me. Paul is confident that the majority of the church members will understand, and “bear” with him. He trusts them. They will interpret his words in love, with a spirit that thinks no evil, whereas his enemies will not. What a privilege it is for a Christian worker to enjoy the full confidence of his friends and converts, and be able to unburden his heart to them.