2 Corinthians 11:18

18 Since many glory in the flesh, I will glory also.)

2 Corinthians 11:18 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:18

Seeing that many glory after the flesh
Or with respect to things external, such as their high birth and parentage, carnal descent, circumcision, learned education, and the like; of which the false apostles, being Jews, boasted, who it seems were many; and though a multitude is not to be followed to do evil, yet the apostle thought, that since there were so many who were indulged by this church in this way, he might be allowed to boast also of such like things, so far as he could with truth and a good conscience, and in order to secure some valuable ends:

I will glory also;
for he was of the seed of Abraham as well as they, of the stock of Israel, and tribe of Benjamin, circumcised the eighth day, and brought up at the feet of Gamaliel; but these are not all the things he could, and would, and did glory of; he gloried of these, and of others besides them, which the false apostles could not, and thereby proved himself to be superior to them, even in external things, of which they bragged so much.

2 Corinthians 11:18 In-Context

16 I say again, let no man think me a fool. But if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast of myself a little.
17 (That which I now speak, I speak it not from the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence as boasting.
18 Since many glory in the flesh, I will glory also.)
19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise!
20 For ye suffer if a man bring you into bondage, or if a man devour you, if a man take from you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.