2 Corinthians 12:11
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.
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's grudging claim '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' contains one of his most paradoxical self-assessments. The simultaneous claim of apostolic equality ('nothing behind the chiefest apostles') and personal nothingness ('though I be nothing') is not contradiction but the grammar of grace: all that is valid in Paul's apostleship is Christ's work, not his own merit. This is the rhetorical climax of 'the fool's speech' (11:16-12:10) in which Paul reluctantly boasts — first of weakness and then of visions — to counter the 'super-apostles' who boasted of strength. 1 Corinthians 15:10 ('I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I but the grace of God') provides the positive formulation.
Other Translations
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.
I have become a fool--boasting; ye--ye did compel me; for I ought by you to have been commended, for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles--even if I am nothing.
I have been forced by you to become foolish, though it was right for my praise to have come from you: for in no way was I less than the chief of the Apostles, though I am nothing.
Cross References
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So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: …
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter …
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no …
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but …