2 COR 12:11 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) You have forced me to become foolish, because I should have been commended by you all because I’m no less than those ‘super missionaries’ even if I am just ‘nothing’.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. For I ought to be commended by you, for I lacked nothing of the “super-apostles,” even if I am nothing.

UST I have been speaking foolishly, which is what you forced me to do. You forced me because you should be saying that I am trustworthy, but you are not saying that. You should be saying that because I am just as great as any people who say that they represent the Messiah the best. That is true even though I am not great at all.

BSB I have become a fool, [but] you drove me [to it]. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

MSB I have become a fool in [my] boasting,[fn] [but] you drove me [to it]. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

BLB I have become a fool; you compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for in no way was I inferior to those "most eminent apostles," even though I am nothing.

AICNT I have become a fool [[in boasting]],[fn] you compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for I was not inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am nothing.

12:11, in boasting:Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

OEB I have been ‘playing the fool!’ It is you who drove me to it. For it is you who ought to have been commending me! Although I am nobody, in no respect did I prove inferior to the most eminent apostles.

WEBBE I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

WMBB I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the very best emissaries, though I am nothing.

NET I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

LSV I have become a fool—boasting; you compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you, for I was behind the very chiefest apostles in nothing—even if I am nothing.

FBV I'm talking like a fool, but you made me do it! You should really have been speaking well of me, for in no way am I inferior to the super-apostles,[fn] even though I don't count for anything.

12:11 See 11:5.

TCNT I have become a fool [fn]by boasting; you compelled me to do it. I ought to have been commended by you, for in no way have I been inferior to these “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

12:11 by boasting 82.7% • MSS 5.4% ¦ — CT 10.2%

T4T It has been foolish for me to talk about myself like this, but it is you who forced me to do it. Truly if the Lord would not help me, I would be worthless, as my opponents say that I am. But none of the men whom you wrongfully think [IRO] are great apostles are greater in any way than I am. So it would have been right/proper for you to say good things about me.

LEB ¶ I have become a fool! You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the preeminent apostles,[fn] even if I am nothing.

12:11 Some interpreters take this to refer to the original apostles in Jerusalem; others take Paul to be referring sarcastically to his opponents in Corinth.

BBE I have been forced by you to become foolish, though it was right for my praise to have come from you: for in no way was I less than the chief of the Apostles, though I am nothing.

Moff Now this is playing the fool! But you forced me to it, instead of coming forward yourselves and vouching for me. That was what I deserved; for, "nobody" as I am, I am not one whit inferior to these precious "apostles."

Wymth It is foolish of me to write all this, but you have compelled me to do so. Why, you ought to have been my vindicators; for in no respect have I been inferior to these superlatively great Apostles, even though in myself I am nothing.

ASV I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.

DRA I am become foolish: you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you: for I have no way come short of them that are above measure apostles, although I be nothing.

YLT I have become a fool — boasting; ye — ye did compel me; for I ought by you to have been commended, for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles — even if I am nothing.

Drby I have become a fool; ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.

RV I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
(I am become foolish: ye/you_all compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing. )

SLT I have been mad boasting; ye forced me: for I ought to have been recommended by you: for I was not greatly inferior to the sent, if also I am nothing.

Wbstr I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I behind the very greatest apostles, though I am nothing.

KJB-1769 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
(I am become a fool in glorying; ye/you_all have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. )

KJB-1611 I am become a foole in glorying, ye haue compelled me. For I ought to haue beene commended of you: for in nothing am I behinde the very chiefest Apostles, though I be nothing.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps I am become a foole in gloriyng. Ye haue compelled me: for I ought to haue ben commended of you. For nothyng was I inferiour vnto the chiefe Apostles, though I be nothyng,
(I am become a fool in gloriing. Ye/You_all have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you. For nothing was I inferior unto the chief Apostles, though I be nothing,)

Gnva I was a foole to boast my selfe: yee haue compelled mee: for I ought to haue bene commended of you: for in nothing was I inferiour vnto the very chiefe Apostles, though I bee nothing.
(I was a fool to boast myself: ye/you_all have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I inferior unto the very chief Apostles, though I be nothing. )

Cvdl I am become a fole i boastinge my selfe: Ye haue copelled me. For I oughte to be comended of you, in so moch as I am in nothinge inferior to ye hye Apostles. Though I be nothinge,
(I am become a fole 1 boastinge myself: Ye/You_all have copelled me. For I ought to be comingded of you, in so much as I am in nothing inferior to ye/you_all high Apostles. Though I be nothing,)

TNT I am made a fole in bostynge my silfe. Ye have compelled me: I ought to have bene comeded of you. For in nothinge was I inferior vnto the chefe apostels Though I be nothynge
(I am made a fole in bosting myself. Ye/You_all have compelled me: I ought to have been comeded of you. For in nothing was I inferior unto the chief apostles Though I be nothing )

Wycl Y am maad vnwitti, ye constreyneden me. For Y ouyte to be comendid of you; for Y dide no thing lesse than thei that ben apostlis `aboue maner.
(I am made unwitti, ye/you_all constrainedn me. For I ought to be comingdid of you; for I did no thing less than they that been apostles above manner.)

Luth Ich bin ein Narr worden über den Rühmen; dazu habt ihr mich gezwungen. Denn ich sollte von euch gelobet werden, sintemal ich nichts weniger bin, denn die hohen Apostel sind; wiewohl ich nichts bin.
(I am a fool(n) been above the Rühmen; to_that/in_addition have you(pl)/their/her me forced. Because I should from you praised become, since I nothing fewer am, because/than the high/tall apostles are; although I nothing am.)

ClVg Factus sum insipiens, vos me coëgistis. Ego enim a vobis debui commendari: nihil enim minus fui ab iis, qui sunt supra modum Apostoli: tametsi nihil sum:[fn]
(Became I_am stupid, you(pl) me coëgistis. I because from to_you(pl) I_should_have commendari: nothing because minus I_was away to_them, who/which are above way Apostles: tametsi nothing sum: )

12.11 Factus sum insipiens. In his omnibus commendationibus videor insipiens, sed vestra culpa qui debuistis me contra pseudo commendare.

12.11 Became I_am stupid. In his to_all recommendsionibus I_seer stupid, but your guilt who/which I_should_havestis me on_the_contrary pseudo commendare.

UGNT γέγονα ἄφρων; ὑμεῖς με ἠναγκάσατε. ἐγὼ γὰρ ὤφειλον ὑφ’ ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι. οὐδὲν γὰρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπέρλίαν ἀποστόλων, εἰ καὶ οὐδέν εἰμι.
(gegona afrōn; humeis me aʸnagkasate. egō gar ōfeilon huf’ humōn sunistasthai. ouden gar husteraʸsa tōn huperlian apostolōn, ei kai ouden eimi.)

SBL-GNT Γέγονα ⸀ἄφρων· ὑμεῖς με ἠναγκάσατε· ἐγὼ γὰρ ὤφειλον ὑφʼ ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι. οὐδὲν γὰρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων, εἰ καὶ οὐδέν εἰμι·
(Gegona ⸀afrōn; humeis me aʸnagkasate; egō gar ōfeilon hufʼ humōn sunistasthai. ouden gar husteraʸsa tōn huperlian apostolōn, ei kai ouden eimi;)

RP-GNT Γέγονα ἄφρων καυχώμενος· ὑμεῖς με ἠναγκάσατε· ἐγὼ γὰρ ὤφειλον ὑφ' ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι· οὐδὲν γὰρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπὲρ λίαν ἀποστόλων, εἰ καὶ οὐδέν εἰμι.
(Gegona afrōn kauⱪōmenos; humeis me aʸnagkasate; egō gar ōfeilon huf' humōn sunistasthai; ouden gar husteraʸsa tōn huper lian apostolōn, ei kai ouden eimi.)

TC-GNT Γέγονα ἄφρων [fn]καυχώμενος· ὑμεῖς με ἠναγκάσατε· ἐγὼ γὰρ ὤφειλον ὑφ᾽ ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι· οὐδὲν γὰρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπὲρ λίαν ἀποστόλων, εἰ καὶ οὐδέν εἰμι.
(Gegona afrōn kauⱪōmenos; humeis me aʸnagkasate; egō gar ōfeilon huf humōn sunistasthai; ouden gar husteraʸsa tōn huper lian apostolōn, ei kai ouden eimi. )

12:11 καυχωμενος 82.7% ¦ καυχομενος MSS 5.4% ¦ — CT 10.2%

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:11–21: Proof that Paul was an apostle and his concern for the believers

In this section, the attitude of some believers in Corinth forced Paul to act foolishly and boast (12:11a). Paul knew he deserved praise from them and was better than the false teachers even though humanly speaking he deserved nothing (12:11b–d). Paul reminded the believers of all that he had done among them that proved he was an apostle (12:12). He asked them if they were angry at him with a rhetorical question and, using irony, told them that they should not be angry (12:13).

He told them that he would continue to avoid accepting their money for his support and explained why (12:14). He told them of his great love for them (12:15).

Using irony, Paul told them that he had not deceived them (12:16) and that his colleagues had not exploited them either (12:17–18). He explained that he had not been defending himself, but rather he was teaching them to be strong in their faith (12:19). He told them of some of his fears about them (12:20–21).

Other examples for this section heading are:

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthian Church (NRSV)

Paul loved the believers in Corinth

Paul reminded the believers in Corinth about his deeds and explained his worry for them

Paul defended his apostleship and spoke about his concern for the believers

12:11a

I have become a fool, but you drove me to it.

¶ I have been foolish, but it is you^(plur) who forced me to be that way.
¶ I spoke like a fool in the things I just wrote, because you yourselves made me do it/that.

I have become a fool, but you drove me to it: The Greek words are literally “I became foolish, you compelled me.” The clause “you compelled me” is the reason for Paul acting like a fool. The Greek does not indicate contrast. Other ways to translate this are:

I became foolish because you compelled me

You have made me act like a fool (NLT)

I have become a fool: By boasting in a worldly way (11:17–12:10), Paul acted foolishly. Other ways to translate this are:

I have been a fool! (RSV)

I am acting like a fool (GNT)

I spoke like a fool in the things I have just said

you drove me to it: The pronoun you is emphasized in the Greek. If possible, emphasize the pronoun in your language. For example:

you yourselves drove me to it

it is you who drove me to it

you were the ones who drove me to it

12:11b

In fact, you should have commended me,

For I should have been recommended by you
It would have been right/proper for you to recommend me to others,

In fact: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as In fact is often translated as “for” or “because.” Here Paul explained why he felt he needed to boast foolishly. For example:

for (RSV)

Let me explain,

In some languages it is more natural to allow the context to indicate the connection and omit the conjunction.

you should have commended me: Although the BSB translates this clause as active, it is passive in Greek and some other English versions. For example:

I ought to have been commended by you (NIV)

commended: Here the word commended indicates to speak favorably of someone and say that he is worthy of the approval of others. Paul had to boast about himself because the believers in Corinth did not commend him to others. Other ways to translate this are:

show your approval (GNT)

say good things (NCV)

urge approval of

See how you translated the word “commend” in 6:4.

12:11c

since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,”

because none of the very superior/special “apostles” is in any way superior to me,
for I have done as much or more as those who wrongly call themselves the greatest of all the chosen messengers of Jesus Christ,

since: Here the word since introduces the reason why the believers should have commended Paul.

I am in no way inferior to: The Greek words are literally “in nothing did I fail to reach.” These words indicate that Paul was equal to (or better than) the false teachers in every way. The BSB translation has the same meaning. The believers in Corinth had seen his deeds and heard his teachings, so they could agree that Paul was equal to or better than the false teachers. Other ways to translate this are:

I am not surpassed by

in every way I am as good as

those super-apostles are no more worthy than I

inferior: This word refers to one thing being less good than something else. Paul did not have a weaker ministry than the false teachers.

super-apostles: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as super-apostles also occurs in 11:5. Translate the phrase as you did in 11:5. For example:

very special “apostles” (GNT)

12:11d

even though I am nothing.

even if I am nobody.
even though I have no worth/importance.

even though I am nothing: The phrase even though indicates that Paul had a great ministry (12:11c) but as a person he had no status before God. Other ways to translate this are:

even if I am nobody

I may be nothing at all, but I am as good as those super apostles. (CEV)

I am nothing: This clause indicates that humanly speaking, Paul had no status to impress God with. Nobody else does either. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I am a nobody (NASB)

I am worth nothing (NCV)

I have no importance

I have nothing to impress God with

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

γέγονα ἄφρων

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Γέγονα ἄφρων ὑμεῖς μέ ἠναγκάσατε ἐγώ Γάρ ὤφειλον ὑφʼ ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι οὐδέν Γάρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων εἰ καί οὐδέν εἰμί)

Here Paul means that he has spoken in foolish ways in the previous several chapters. He does not mean that he is always a foolish person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [I have been talking in foolish ways]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὑμεῖς με ἠναγκάσατε

you_all (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Γέγονα ἄφρων ὑμεῖς μέ ἠναγκάσατε ἐγώ Γάρ ὤφειλον ὑφʼ ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι οὐδέν Γάρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων εἰ καί οὐδέν εἰμί)

Here Paul means is that reason why he had to speak in foolish ways is that the Corinthians were behaving wrongly. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [the way you are acting has compelled me to do so] or [how you are behaving has made me act this way]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / rpronouns

ὑμεῖς με ἠναγκάσατε

Here, the word translated yourselves emphasizes you. Consider using a natural way to emphasize you in your language. Alternate translation: [you indeed compelled me] or [it is you who compelled me]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

Here, the word For introduces an explanation of how the Corinthians compelled Paul to be foolish. He goes on to explain that they should have been commending him, but they have not done so. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different word or phrase that introduces an explanation. Alternate translation: [That is because] or [You compelled me because, although it has not happened,]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἐγὼ & ὤφειλον ὑφ’ ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [you ought to commend me]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὑστέρησα

˱I˲_being_deficient

Here Paul could be using the past tense because: (1) he is referring to the time when he was with the Corinthians. Alternate translation: [when I visited you, I lacked] (2) he is speaking of what is generally true. Alternate translation: [I lack]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives

οὐδὲν & ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπέρλίαν ἀποστόλων

If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a positive expression to translate this double negative that consists of the negative verb lacked and the negative word nothing. Alternate translation: [I have everything that the “super-apostles” have] or [I am just as good as the “super-apostles]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / irony

τῶν ὑπέρλίαν ἀποστόλων

˱of˲_the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Γέγονα ἄφρων ὑμεῖς μέ ἠναγκάσατε ἐγώ Γάρ ὤφειλον ὑφʼ ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι οὐδέν Γάρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων εἰ καί οὐδέν εἰμί)

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. See how you translated the similar phrase in [11:5](../11/05.md). Alternate translation: [of the so-called “super-apostles] or [of those who consider themselves “super-apostles]

Note 9 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact

εἰ καὶ

if (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Γέγονα ἄφρων ὑμεῖς μέ ἠναγκάσατε ἐγώ Γάρ ὤφειλον ὑφʼ ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι οὐδέν Γάρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων εἰ καί οὐδέν εἰμί)

Paul speaks as if this were a hypothetical situation, but he means that it is true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might think that what Paul is saying is uncertain, then you could use a word or phrase that introduces something that is contrasting but true. Alternate translation: [although] or [despite the fact that]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

οὐδέν εἰμι

nothing nothing (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Γέγονα ἄφρων ὑμεῖς μέ ἠναγκάσατε ἐγώ Γάρ ὤφειλον ὑφʼ ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι οὐδέν Γάρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων εἰ καί οὐδέν εἰμί)

Here Paul speaks as if he were actually nothing. What he means is that he himself is not great or powerful at all without Christ working through him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [I am worthless on my own] or [I myself have no power or authority]

Parallel 2 COR 12:11

Section 12:11–21: Proof that Paul was an apostle and his concern for the believers

12:11a

12:11b

12:11c

12:11d

Parallel 2 COR 12:11