2 Corinthians 11:21 “To my shame I concede that we were too weak for that! Speaking as a fo…”

2 Corinthians 11:21

To my shame I concede that we were too weak for that! Speaking as a fool, however, I can match what anyone else dares to boast about.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

World English Bible

To my shame, I speak as though we had been weak. Yet in whatever way anyone is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.

American Standard Version

I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.

Geneva Bible 1599

I speake as concerning the reproche: as though that we had bene weake: but wherein any man is bold (I speake foolishly) I am bold also.

Darby Translation

I speak as to dishonour, as though we had been weak; but wherein any one is daring, (I speak in folly,) I also am daring.

Young's Literal Translation

in reference to dishonour I speak, how that we were weak, and in whatever any one is bold — in foolishness I say [it] — I also am bold.

Bible in Basic English

I say this by way of shaming ourselves, as if we had been feeble. But if anyone puts himself forward (I am talking like a foolish person), I will do the same.

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Cross references

“as though”

2 Corinthians 10:10 2 Corinthians 13:10 2 Corinthians 10:1 2 Corinthians 10:2

2 Corinthians 10:10 · BSB

For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”

2 Corinthians 13:10 · BSB

This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

2 Corinthians 10:1 · BSB

Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.

2 Corinthians 10:2 · BSB

I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold as I expect toward those who presume that we live according to the flesh.

“whereinsoever”

2 Corinthians 11:22–27 Philippians 3:3–6

2 Corinthians 11:22–27 · BSB

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

Philippians 3:3–6 · BSB

For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

“I speak”

2 Corinthians 11:17 2 Corinthians 11:23

2 Corinthians 11:17 · BSB

In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool.

2 Corinthians 11:23 · BSB

Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

20In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face.

22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

Read 2 Corinthians 11