2 Corinthians 11:5
in 2 Corinthians 11I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
KJV
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 11
Commentary
10 notes on this verseAt last he compares himself with the followers of Peter, wishing to show by this that if they know more than he, then they also know more than the chiefest apostles, reducing the matter to absurd conclusions. See what self-abasement: "I suppose," he says, but …
This site's exposition
the very chiefest apostles
on 2 Corinthians 11:5-6
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles: the phrase, ton hyperlian apostolon, the super-apostles, is ironic, and the bench divides over whether it names the original Twelve or the false teachers' own inflated title for themselves, with most modern commentators favoring the latter since Paul nowhere else speaks so slightingly of Peter, James, or John. But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things: he concedes the charge of unpolished rhetoric already quoted at 10:10 while denying any deficiency in the substance of what he taught, a distinction the commentators read as decisive against judging ministry by delivery alone.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
"For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles," no longer making comparison of himself with them, but with Peter and the rest. "So that if they know more than I do, [they know more] than they also." And observe how here also he shows modesty. For he did not say, "the Apostles said nothing more than I," but what? "I reckon," so I deem, "that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles." For since this also appeared to bespeak an inferiority in him, that those having preceded him were of greater name; and more respect was entertained for them, and these persons were intending to foist themselves in; therefore he makes this comparison of himself with them with the dignity that becomes him. Therefore he also mentions them with encomiums, not speaking simply of "the Apostles," but "the very chiefest," meaning Peter and James and John.
Paul does not think that he is inferior to the other apostles because he has taught the same things and done the same miracles.
The Medieval Church1 voice
Then when he says, I think that I am not in the least inferior, he removes this excuse. In regard to this he does two things. First, he shows that he did not do less for them than the others; secondly, that he did more …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
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.
However, he was not rude in knowledge; he was not unacquainted with the best rules of oratory and the art of persuasion, much less was he ignorant of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, as had been thoroughly manifested among them. His equality with the false apostles in this particular--the preaching of the gospel unto them freely, without wages.
3 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
For I suppose ... - I think that I gave as good evidence that I was commissioned by God as the most eminent of the apostles. In the miracles which I performed; in the abundance of my labors, and in my success, I suppose that I did not fall behind any of them. If so, I ought to be regarded and treated as an apostle; and if so, then the false teachers should not be allowed to supplant me in your affections, or to seduce you from the doctrines which I have taught.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
For--My claim is superior to that of the false teachers, "For," &c. I suppose--I reckon [ALFORD]. I was not--Greek, "That I have not been, and am not." the very chiefest apostles--James, Peter, and John, the witnesses of Christ's transfiguration and agony in Gethsemane.
I was not - behind the very chiefest apostles - That is: The most eminent of the apostles have not preached Christ, ministered the spirit, explained and enforced the doctrines of the Gospel in a more powerful and effectual manner than I have done.
The words behind it
7 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Λογίζομαι | logizomai | I reckon | G3049 → | 40 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| μηδὲν | meden | in nothing | G3367 → | 90 times |
| ὑστερηκέναι | husterekenai | to have been inferior | G5302 → | 16 times |
| τῶν | ton | to those | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ὑπερλίαν | huperlian | most eminent | G5228 →G3029 → | 155 times |
| ἀποστόλων. | apostolon | apostles. | G652 → | 79 times |
ΛογίζομαιI reckon
logizomaiG3049 →40 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
μηδὲνin nothing
medenG3367 →90 times
ὑστερηκέναιto have been inferior
husterekenaiG5302 →16 times
τῶνto those
tonG3588 →19766 times
ὑπερλίανmost eminent
ἀποστόλων.apostles.
apostolonG652 →79 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
5 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Corinthians 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of…
it leads to
- Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
- 2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.
- Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
- Ephesians 3:7–8
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.
- Ephesians 2:7–8
in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:13
Where this verse is studied
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily 23 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.