2 Corinthians 11:21

21 By unnobleness I say, as if we were frail in this part [+After unnobility, I say, as if we were sick in this part]. In what thing any man dare, in unwisdom I say, and I dare.

2 Corinthians 11:21 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:21

I speak as concerning reproach
These words may be considered either as explanative of the latter part of the former verse, "if a man smite you on the face"; that is not to be understood strictly and literally, of one man's striking another on the face, but of reproach and contumelious language, used by the false apostles to the Corinthians; or they may have reference to the apostle's design in the whole, which was partly to reproach, the Corinthians for acting such a stupid part, in patiently bearing so many and such indignities from these men; and partly to expose the scandalous and reproachful usage of them by the false apostles, that if possible their eyes might be opened to see through them, and discard them: or else these words may be regarded in connection with what follows,

as though we had been weak;
and then the apostle's meaning is, that as to the business of scandal and reproach he was speaking of, this was not confined to the Corinthians only, but they the true apostles had their share of it; for the false apostles reproached them, as poor, weak, fearful, and pusillanimous men; because they did not use that authority, and exercise that domination over them, they did not bring them into bondage, devour their substance, take away their goods from them by force, insult over them, and treat them in an ignominious and contemptuous manner; and intimated that they were upon all accounts inferior to them, and not worthy to be mentioned with them; which moved the apostle to exert himself, and boldly rise up in his own defence, saying,

howbeit, wherein soever any is bold;
to boast of his pedigree, character, office, and usefulness,

I speak foolishly;
as it might seem, and be so interpreted by some,

I am bold also;
to enter the lists with him, to compare notes, and see on which side the superiority lies; and which is done in the following verses, to the full confutation of all the pride, vanity, blind boasting of the false apostles.

2 Corinthians 11:21 In-Context

19 For ye suffer gladly unwise men, when ye yourselves be wise.

20 For ye suffer, if any man driveth you into servage [if any man drive you into servage], if any man devoureth, if any man taketh, if any man is enhanced [by pride], if any man smiteth you on the face.

21 By unnobleness I say, as if we were frail in this part [+After unnobility, I say, as if we were sick in this part]. In what thing any man dare, in unwisdom I say, and I dare.

22 They be Hebrews, and I; they be Israelites, and I; they be the seed of Abraham, and I;

23 they be the ministers of Christ, and I. As less wise I say, I more; in full many travails, in prisons more plenteously, in wounds above manner [in wounds above manner, or over measure], in deaths oft times.