2 Corinthians 11:5

5 For I consider myself not a whit lower than the very chiefest apostles.

2 Corinthians 11:5 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:5

For I suppose I was not a whit behind
This is very modestly expressed by the apostle; for he does not assert, and in a haughty and confident way affirm, but only supposes, or thinks that this might be admitted, that he was not inferior to, or did not come short of, in gifts, grace, and usefulness,

the very chiefest of the apostles:
such as Peter, James, and John; who seemed to be pillars, were eminent apostles, of great note among them, and such as Christ, in the days of his flesh, took particular notice of. This he says, not to exalt himself, but to show, how weakly and injudiciously the Corinthians acted in setting up the false apostle above him; or else these words are spoken ironically, and design the false teachers, who vaunted so much of their gifts, learning, eloquence, and usefulness; and extolled themselves at such a rate, as if they were (uper lian apostolwn) , "greatly above the apostles"; and therefore he jeeringly calls them

the very chiefest of
them; and yet thinks fit to put himself at least, upon an equality with them: one manuscript reads, "the chiefest of the apostles among you"; and the Ethiopic version seems to have read you.

2 Corinthians 11:5 In-Context

3 But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

5 For I consider myself not a whit lower than the very chiefest apostles.

6 Though I am rude in speech, yet I am not in knowledge; for we have been made thoroughly manifest among you in all things.

7 Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the Gospel of God without charge?