2 Corinthians 11:6
in 2 Corinthians 11Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge; nay, in every way have we made this manifest unto you in all things.
KJV
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 11
Commentary
15 notes on this versePaul was learned in Hebrew letters and sat at the feet of Gamaliel, whom he was not ashamed to acknowledge, but he showed a contempt for Greek eloquence, or at least he kept quiet about it because of his humility, so that his preaching lay not in the persuasiveness of his words but in the power of his signs.
This site's exposition
in no way inferior to those
on 2 Corinthians 11:5-6
Super-apostles renders ton hyperlian apostolon, an ironic phrase that could name the original Twelve or the false teachers' own inflated title. The second fits, since Paul nowhere else speaks so slightingly of Peter, James or John.
This site's exposition
not a polished speaker
Paul grants the charge about his speech. Jerome says Paul was learned in Hebrew letters at the feet of Gamaliel but made little of Greek eloquence. In Jerome's account his preaching lay in the power of signs.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers4 voices
This does not refer to the apostles, who were unlettered men of no eloquence, but to the false teachers whose rhetorical skill the Corinthians preferred. Paul did not mean by this that he did not know how to speak but that commendation did not depend …
A commentator
Philoxenus of Mabbug13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 4 -- On Faith: First Discourse on Simplicity · Written before 523.
proposed
For the wisdom of God flourisheth not by these things, that is the study and care of earthly thoughts, but all its meditation is upon spiritual things, and its motions and thoughts are above the world, even as the Apostle himself testified concerning himself, "I …
The primacy of knowledge the apostle shows to those capable of reflection, in writing to those Greeks of Corinth, in the following terms: "But having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall he magnified in you according to our rule abundantly, to preach the Gospel beyond you." He does not mean the extension of his preaching locally: for he says also that in Achaia faith abounded; and it is related also in the Acts of the Apostles that he preached the word in Athens. But he teaches that knowledge, which is the perfection of faith, goes beyond catechetical instruction, in accordance with the magnitude of the Lord's teaching and the rule of the Church. Wherefore also he proceeds to add, "And if I am rude in speech, yet I am not in knowledge."
"But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge." For since those that corrupted the Corinthians had the advantage in this, that they were not rude; he mentions this also, showing that he was not ashamed of, but even prided himself upon it. And he said not, "But though I be rude in speech," yet so also are they, for this would have seemed to be accusing them as well as himself, and exalting these: but he overthrows the thing itself, the wisdom from without. And indeed in his former Epistle he contends even vehemently about this thing, saying that it not only contributes nothing to the Preaching, but it even throws a shadow on the glory of the Cross; for he says, "I came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom unto you, lest the cross of Christ should be made void;" and many other things of the same kind; because "in knowledge" they were "rude," which is also the extremest form of rudeness. When therefore it was necessary to institute a comparison in those things which were great, he compares himself with the Apostles: but when to show that which appeared to be a deficiency, he no longer does this, but grapples with the thing itself and shows that it was a superiority. And when indeed no necessity urged him, he says that he is "the least of the Apostles," and not worthy even of the title; but here again when occasion called, he says that he is "not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles." For he knew that this would most advantage the disciples. Wherefore also he adds, "Nay, in every thing we have made it manifest among all men to you ward." For here again he accuses the false Apostles as "walking in craftiness." And he said this of himself before also, that he did not live after the outward appearance, nor preach "handling the word deceitfully and corrupting it. But those men were one thing and appeared another. But not so he. […]
The Medieval Church1 voice
Since the false apostles prided themselves on not being unskilled, he shows that he does not shun such lack of skill, but even considers it an honor. And he does not say: if I am unskilled, then the other apostles are the same—so as not …
7 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church2 voices
Not like the false apostles, who are one thing in reality but appear to be another; rather in all that we do and say, we are known to you. There is in us no duplicity or hypocrisy, as in those who only cover themselves with …
But lest perhaps they should say to him: whence did you obtain the faculty to do this, since you are unskilled in our speech? He shows that the faculty is due to the vastness of his knowledge, saying, even if I am unskilled in speaking, …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
If I am unskilful in speech - If I speak in a plain, unadorned way, like an unlearned person. So the Greek word properly signifies.
But though I be rude in speech,....
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
But though I be rude in speech - Ιδιωτης τῳ λογῳ Though I speak like a common unlettered man, in plain unadorned phrase, studying none of the graces of eloquence; yet I am not unskilled in the most profound knowledge of God, of spiritual and eternal things, of the nature of the human soul, and the sound truths of the Gospel system: ye yourselves are witnesses of this, as in all these things I have been thoroughly manifested among you.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
Ac 20:20, 27). in all things--The Greek rather favors the translation, "among all men"; the sense then is, we have manifested the whole truth among all men with a view to your benefit [ALFORD]. But the Greek in Php 4:12, "In each thing and in all things," sanctions English Version, which gives a clearer sense.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
But though I be rude in speech - see the note, 2Co 10:10. The word rendered “rude” here (ἰδιώτης idiōtēs) means properly a private citizen, in opposition to one in a public station; then a plebeian, or one unlettered or unlearned, in opposition to one of more elevated rank, or one who is learned; see the Act 4:13 note; 1Co 14:16 note. The idea is, my language is that of a plain unlettered person. This was doubtless charged upon him by his enemies, and it may be that he designed in part to admit the truth of the charge. Yet not in knowledge - I do not admit that I am ignorant of the religion which I profess to teach. I claim to be acquainted with the doctrines of Christianity. It does not appear that they charged him with ignorance. If it be asked how the admission that he was rude in speech consists with the fact that he was endowed by the Holy Spirit. with the power of speaking languages, we may observe that Paul had undoubtedly learned to speak Greek in his native place (Tarsus in Cilicia). and that the Greek which he had learned there was probably a corrupt kind, such as was spoken in that place. It was this Greek which he probably continued to speak; for there is no more reason to suppose that the Holy Spirit would aid him in speaking language which he had thus early learned than he would in speaking Hebrew. The endowments of the Holy Spirit were conferred to enable the apostles to speak languages which they had never learned, not in perfecting them in languages with which they were before acquainted. It may have been true, therefore, that Paul may have spoken some languages which he never learned with more fluency and perfection than he did those which he had learned to speak when he was young. See the remarks of the Archbishop of Cambray, as quoted by Doddridge in loc. It may be remarked. […]
The words behind it
18 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| εἰ | ei | If | G1487 → | 508 times |
| δὲ | de | however | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| καὶ | kai | even | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἰδιώτης | idiotes | unpolished | G2399 → | |
| τῷ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| λόγῳ, | logo | in speech [I am], | G3056 → | 329 times |
| ἀλλ᾽ | all᾽ | yet | G235 → | 635 times |
| οὐ | ou | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| τῇ | tea | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| γνώσει, | gnosei | in knowledge, | G1108 → | 29 times |
| ἀλλ᾽ | all᾽ | but | G235 → | 635 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| παντὶ | panti | every [way] | G3956 → | 1235 times |
| φανερώσαντες | phanerosantes | were manifested | G5319 → | 45 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| πᾶσιν | pasin | all things | G3956 → | 1235 times |
| εἰς | eis | to | G1519 → | 1755 times |
| ὑμᾶς. | humas | you. | G4771 → | 2973 times |
εἰIf
eiG1487 →508 times
δὲhowever
deG1161 →2765 times
καὶeven
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἰδιώτηςunpolished
idiotesG2399 →
τῷ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
λόγῳ,in speech [I am],
logoG3056 →329 times
ἀλλ᾽yet
all᾽G235 →635 times
οὐnot
ouG3756 →1664 times
τῇ<the>
teaG3588 →19766 times
γνώσει,in knowledge,
gnoseiG1108 →29 times
ἀλλ᾽but
all᾽G235 →635 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
παντὶevery [way]
pantiG3956 →1235 times
φανερώσαντεςwere manifested
phanerosantesG5319 →45 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
πᾶσινall things
pasinG3956 →1235 times
εἰςto
eisG1519 →1755 times
ὑμᾶς.you.
humasG4771 →2973 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 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
2 Corinthians 4:2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to…
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 2:17
For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3–5
For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
- 2 Corinthians 5:11
Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13–15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 2:17
Through
1 Corinthians 1:17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 2:1
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
- 1 Corinthians 2:13
And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
- 1 Corinthians 2:1
Through
1 Corinthians 1:21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
it leads to
- Luke 10:21
At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them…
- Luke 10:21
Through
Ephesians 3:4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
it leads to
- Colossians 4:3
as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
- Colossians 4:3
Where this verse is studied
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 13 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; Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata Book 6; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Against Rufinus 1.17; John Chrysostom, Homily 23 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Philoxenus of Mabbug, 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 4 -- On Faith: First Discourse on Simplicity; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.