2 COR 11:5 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 11:1–15: Paul spoke against the false teachers

In 11:1, Paul prepared his readers for what he would say in 11:7–10 and 11:16. He described the way he would speak as “foolishness.” Paul used the term “foolishness” here in a special way. In this chapter Paul said he was “foolish” because he praised himself for his own good character, attitudes, and actions. He called this praise “foolish” especially because he had just said in 10:17–18 that believers should not praise themselves.

Paul was very concerned for the believers in Corinth, like a father wanting his daughter to be faithful to the man whom she would marry one day (11:2). In the same way he worried that the false teachers might have led the believers away from following Jesus (11:3–4).

Since the false teachers had deceived some of the believers in Corinth, Paul had to defend himself to the believers (11:5–6). The false teachers had praised themselves and some of the believers had believed them, so Paul had to praise himself. He reminded them that he had not allowed them to support him. He wanted them to know that he was serving them because he truly loved them and wanted to help them, unlike the false teachers.

In Greek culture, a teacher expected those whom he taught to support him. It was an honor to support a well-known teacher. But Paul had not let the believers in Corinth support him. Using irony, Paul asked them if they were upset about his not letting them support him (11:7). Using irony again, he told them that churches in other cities had supported him while he lived in Corinth so that he could serve them full time (11:8–9). But the false teachers probably did the culturally expected thing and accepted money from the believers. Paul explained that he loved the believers in Corinth and therefore had not accepted their money (11:10–11). This example of love showed that the false teachers were not equals with Paul as apostles (11:12). He described the false teachers as claiming to be apostles while actually following Satan (11:13–15).

Other examples for this section heading are:

Paul Contrasts Himself With False Apostles (GW)

Paul and His Opponents (NET)

11:5

I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”

For I consider/believe that none of those very superior/special “apostles” is in any way superior to me.
Also, I think I have done as much or more than those who wrongly act like they have authority over all the chosen messengers of Jesus Christ.

The Greek begins this verse with a word that is often translated as “for” or “because.” It introduces another reason why the believers in Corinth should listen to Paul (11:1). In some languages the most natural way to indicate that connection may be:

Use the conjunction “for” here. For example:
For (NASB)
Allow the context to imply a general connection and omit the conjunction. For example:
I do not… (GNT)
Use the conjunction “and” or “now” to connect this verse to the other reasons in 11:2–4. For example:
Also,
Now (NJB)
Use the conjunction “but” to connect this verse to the reason in 11:4 but indicate contrast to it. For example:
Yet (JBP)

I consider myself in no way inferior to: The false teachers probably claimed to have much power and authority, but Paul knew that God had given as much and actually more power and authority to him. So he did not think of himself as having a lower status than the status that the false teachers claimed for themselves. Other ways to translate this are:

I consider that I am not in the least inferior to (NJB)

I think I am as good as (CEV)

those “super-apostles”: The phrase super-apostles is sarcasm. It refers to the false teachers. The phrase means “better than all other apostles.” With this phrase, Paul mocked them and their attitude of thinking that they were better than Paul. The BSB puts quotes around the words super-apostles to indicate the sarcasm more clearly in English. Translate this phrase so that it clearly shows the sarcasm. For example:

those very special so-called “apostles” (GNT)

those “great apostles” (NCV)

those who are reportedly the highest apostles

those very superior/special “apostle.”

In some languages the sarcasm must be explained in your translation to indicate the correct meaning. Your translation should indicate that Paul is mocking them. For example:

those who act as if they are the greatest of all apostles

those who behave as if they were the apostles greater than all others

those greatest apostles, if only in their attitude toward others

apostles: The Greek word that the BSB translates as apostles means “ambassadors” or “messengers.” Here, apostles are people whom Jesus sends to represent him and teach his message with authority. See how you translated this word in 1:1. Or see the word apostle in the Glossary.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Λογίζομαι γάρ μηδέν ὑστερηκέναι τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων)

Here, the word For could introduce: (1) a reason why what Paul told them about Jesus, the Spirit, and the gospel (See: [11:4](../11/04.md)) takes priority over what anyone else tells them. Alternate translation: [So, what I taught you has priority, since] (2) a reason why they should “bear with” Paul (See: [11:1](../11/01.md)). Alternate translation: [Further, I want you to bear with me because]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὑστερηκέναι τῶν ὑπέρλίαν ἀποστόλων

˓to_have˒_been_deficient ˱of˲_the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Λογίζομαι γάρ μηδέν ὑστερηκέναι τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων)

Here Paul speaks as if he is not below or short of the “super-apostles”. He means that he does not have less power and authority than they do. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [to be less than the “super-apostles] or [to have less authority than the “super-apostles]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / irony

τῶν ὑπέρλίαν ἀποστόλων

˱of˲_the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Λογίζομαι γάρ μηδέν ὑστερηκέναι τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων)

Here Paul refers to his opponents, the false teachers, with the words that they themselves or their followers used to describe them: “super-apostles”. He does not actually believe that these people are better apostles or greater than anyone else. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that indicates that Paul is speaking from someone else’s perspective to make a point. Alternate translation: [of the so-called “super-apostles] or [of those who consider themselves “super-apostles]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear 2 COR 11:5

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 11:1–15: Paul spoke against the false teachers

11:5

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 2 COR 11:5

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 11:1–15: Paul spoke against the false teachers

11:5

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 2 COR 11:5