2 Corinthians 11
Wycliffe Bible
11 I would that ye would suffer a little thing of mine unwisdom, but also support ye me.[a]
2 For I love you by the love of God; for I have espoused [spoused] you to one husband, to yield a chaste virgin to Christ [to give you, a chaste virgin, to one man, Christ].
3 But I dread, lest as the serpent deceived Eve with his subtle fraud, so your wits be corrupted, and fallen down from the simpleness that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh, preacheth another Christ, whom we preached not, or if ye take another spirit, whom ye took not [whom ye received not], or another gospel, which ye received not, rightly ye should suffer.
5 For I ween that I have done nothing less than the great apostles.
6 For though I be unlearned in word, but not in knowing. For in all things I am open to you. [For why though I be unlearned in sermon, or word, but not in science, or knowing. Forsooth in all things I am showed, or made known, to you.]
7 Or whether I have done sin, meeking myself [meeking, or making low, myself], that ye be enhanced, for freely I preached to you the gospel of God?
8 I made naked other churches, and I took wages to your service. [I spoiled, or made naked, or took gifts, of other churches, taking wages to your service.]
9 And when I was among you, and had need [And when I was with you, and needed], I was chargeous to no man; for brethren that came from Macedonia, fulfilled that that failed to me [supplied, or fulfilled, that that failed to me]. And in all things I have kept [me], and shall keep me without charge to you.
10 The truth of Christ is in me; for this glory shall not be broken in me in the countries of Achaia [in the regions, or countries, of Achaia].
11 Why? for I love not you? God knoweth.
12 For that that I do, and that I shall do, is that I cut away the occasion of them that will occasion, that in the thing, in which they glory, they be found [such] as we.
13 For such false apostles be treacherous workmen, and transfigure them(selves) into apostles of Christ.[b]
14 And no wonder, for Satan himself transfigureth him(self) into an angel of light. [And no wonder; soothly he Satan transfigured him into an angel of light.]
15 Therefore it is not great, if his ministers be transfigured as the ministers of rightwiseness, whose end shall be after their works.
16 Again I say, lest any man guess me to be unwise [lest any man deem me unwise]; else take ye me as unwise, that also I have glory a little what.
17 That that I speak, I speak not after God, but as in unwisdom [but as to unwisdom], in this substance of glory.
18 For many men glory after the flesh, and I shall glory.
19 For ye suffer gladly unwise men, when ye yourselves be wise.
20 For ye suffer, if any man driveth you into servage [if any man drive you into servage], if any man devoureth, if any man taketh, if any man is enhanced [by pride], if any man smiteth you on the face.
21 By unnobleness I say, as if we were frail in this part[c]. In what thing any man dare, in unwisdom I say, and I dare.
22 They be Hebrews, and I; they be Israelites, and I; they be the seed of Abraham, and I;
23 they be the ministers of Christ, and I. As less wise I say, I more; in full many travails, in prisons more plenteously, in wounds above manner [in wounds above manner, or over measure], in deaths oft times.
24 I received of the Jews five times forty strokes one less;
25 thrice I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I was at ship-break, a night and a day I was in the deepness of the sea;
26 in ways oft, in perils of rivers [in perils of floods], in perils of thieves, in perils of kin, in perils of heathen men, in perils in [the] city, in perils in desert, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren,
27 in travail and neediness, in many wakings, in hunger, in thirst [in travail and neediness, either mis-ease, in many wakings, in hunger and thirst], in many fastings, in cold and nakedness.
28 Without those things that be withoutforth, mine each day's travailing is the busyness of all churches. [Without those things that be withoutforth; mine each day's waking, or studying, the busyness of all churches.]
29 Who is frail, and I am not frail? who is caused to stumble, and I am not burnt? [Who is sick, and I am not sick? who is offended, and I am not burnt?]
30 If it behooveth to glory, I shall glory in those things that be of mine infirmity [that be of my infirmity, or frailty].
31 [For] God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that is blessed into worlds, knoweth that I lie not [knoweth, that I gab not, or lie not].
32 The provost of Damascus, of the king of the folk of Aretas [The provost, or keeper, of Damascus, of the king of the folk Arteas], kept the city of Damascenes to take me;
33 and by a window in a basket I was let down by the wall, and so I escaped his hands.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 11:1 I would that ye would sustain a little thing of mine unwisdom, but also support ye me, or bear up me/or bear me up.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13 For why such apostles be treacherous, or guileful, workmen, transfiguring them into apostles of Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 11:21 After unnobility, I say, as if we were sick in this part
2 Corinthians 11
New Matthew Bible
Paul (with reluctance) commends himself, and defends his authority against the false prophets.
11 I would you could suffer me a little in my foolishness, yea and I ask you to bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For I espoused you to one man, to present you a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear that, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus than him whom we preached, or if you are given another spirit than that which you were given, or another gospel than that which you were given, you might right well be content.
5 I suppose that I was not behind the chief apostles. 6 Though I be poor in speaking, yet I am not so in knowledge. However, among you we are known to the utmost, who we are in all things. 7 Did I sin, because I humbled myself so that you could be exalted, and because I preached to you the gospel of God free? 8 I robbed other congregations, and took support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was present with you and had need, I was a burden to no one, for that which was lacking to me, the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in all things I kept myself so that I would not be burdensome to you. And I will continue so to keep myself. 10 If the truth of Christ is in me, this claim will not be taken from me in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows. 12 Nevertheless, what I do, that I will continue to do, so as to cut away occasion from those who desire occasion to seem like us in the things that they claim.
13 For the false apostles are deceitful workers, and fashion themselves to be like the apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself is changed into the fashion of an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers fashion themselves as though they were the ministers of righteousness – whose end shall be according to their deeds.
16 I say again, lest anyone think that I am foolish, or else even now take me as a fool if I boast a little, 17 that what I am saying I do not say after the ways of the Lord, but as it were foolishly, since we have now come to boasting. 18 Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will boast also. 19 For you suffer fools gladly, because you yourselves are wise. 20 For you oblige even if a man brings you into bondage, if a man devours, if a man takes, if a man exalts himself, if a man strikes you on the face. 21 I speak by way of rebuke. As if we were weak!
However, in any point a man dares to presume (I speak foolishly), I dare to presume also: 22 they are Hebrews; so am I. They are Israelites; so am I. They are the seed of Abraham; so am I. 23 They are the ministers of Christ (I speak like a fool); I am more so: in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prison more frequently, in death often.
24 Five times from the Jews I received every time forty stripes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. I was once stoned. I suffered shipwreck three times. Night and day I have been in the deep of the sea, 26 often journeying, in danger in rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my own nation, in danger among the heathen. I have been in danger in cities, in danger in the countryside, in danger on the sea, in danger among false brethren, 27 in labour and travail, in sleepless nights often, in hunger, in thirst – going without food often, in cold and without clothing. 28 And besides the things that outwardly happen to me, I am daily concerned and do care for all the congregations. 29 Who is sick, and I am not sick? Who is hurt in the faith and my heart does not burn? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of my afflictions. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forevermore, knows that I do not speak untruly.
32 In the city of Damascus, the governor of the people under king Aretas laid watch in the city of the Damascenes, and would have captured me. 33 But at a window I was let down in a basket through the wall, and so escaped his hands.
2 Corinthians 11
1599 Geneva Bible
11 2 He testifieth that for the great loves sake he beareth to the Corinthians, he is compelled 5 to utter his own praises: 9 and that he bestowed his labor on them without any reward, 13 that the false apostles should not surpass him in anything, 22 whom he far excelled in those things which are praiseworthy indeed.
1 Would [a]to God, ye could suffer a little my foolishness, and indeed, ye suffer me.
2 For I am jealous over you, with [b]godly jealousy: for I have prepared you for one husband, to [c]present you as a pure virgin to Christ:
3 But I fear lest as the (A)serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be [d]corrupt from the simplicity that is in [e]Christ:
4 [f]For if he that cometh, preacheth [g]another Jesus whom we have not preached: or if ye receive another spirit whom ye have not received: either another Gospel which ye have not received, ye might well have suffered him.
5 Verily I suppose that I was not inferior to the very chief Apostles.
6 [h]And though I be [i]rude in speaking, yet I am not so in knowledge, but among you we have been made manifest to the uttermost, in all things.
7 [j]Have I committed an offence, because I abased myself, that ye might be exalted, and because I preached to you the Gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other Churches, and took wages of them to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and had need, (B)I was not slothful to the hindrance of any man: for that which was lacking unto me, the brethren which came from Macedonia, supplied, and in all things I kept, [k]and will keep myself, that I should not be grievous unto you.
10 The [l]truth of Christ is in me, that this rejoicing shall not be [m]shut up against me in the regions of Achaia.
11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
12 But what I do, that will I do, that I may cut away occasion from them which desire occasion, that they might be found like unto us in that wherein they [n]rejoice.
13 [o]For such false apostles are deceitful workers, and transform themselves into the Apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of [p]light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers transform themselves, as though they were the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.
16 [q]I say again, Let no man think that I am foolish, or else take me even as a fool, that I also may boast myself a little.
17 That I speak, I speak it not after the Lord: but as it were foolishly, in this my great boasting.
18 Seeing that many rejoice after [the] flesh, I will rejoice also.
19 For ye suffer fools gladly, because that ye are wise.
20 [r]For ye suffer, even if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take your goods, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
21 I speak as concerning the [s]reproach: as though that we had been [t]weak: but wherein any man is bold (I speak foolishly) I am bold also.
22 They are Hebrews, (C)so am I: they are Israelites, so am I: they are the seed of Abraham, so am I.
23 They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as a fool) I am [u]more: in labors more abundant: in stripes above measure: in prison more plenteously: in [v]death oft.
24 Of the Jews [w]five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 I was [x]thrice (D)beaten with rods: I was (E)once stoned: I suffered thrice (F)shipwreck: night and day have I been in the deep sea.
26 In journeying I was often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of mine own nation, in perils among the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren,
27 In weariness and [y]painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and in nakedness.
28 [z]Beside the things which are outward, I am cumbered daily, and have the care of all the Churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not?
30 [aa]If I must needs rejoice, I will rejoice of mine infirmities.
31 The God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
32 In (G)Damascus the governor of the people under King Aretas, laid watch in the city of the Damascenes, and would have caught me.
33 But at a window was I let down in a basket through the wall, and escaped his hands.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 11:1 He granteth that after a sort he playeth the fool in this vaunting of things, but he addeth that he doeth it against his will, for their profit because he seeth them deceived by certain vain and crafty men, through the craft and subtlety of Satan.
- 2 Corinthians 11:2 He speaketh as a woer, but yet as one that seeketh them not for himself, but for God.
- 2 Corinthians 11:2 To marry you together.
- 2 Corinthians 11:3 This place is to be marked against them which loathe that plain and pure simplicity of the Scriptures, in comparison of the colors and paintings of man’s eloquence.
- 2 Corinthians 11:3 Which is meet for them that are in Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 11:4 He showeth that they deceive themselves, if they look to receive of any other man, either a more excellent Gospel, or more excellent gifts of the holy Ghost.
- 2 Corinthians 11:4 A more perfect doctrine of Jesus Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 11:6 He refuteth the slanders of those Thrasoes. I grant, saith he, that I am not so eloquent an Orator, but yet they cannot take away the knowledge of the Gospel from me, whereof you have had good proof, and that every manner of way.
- 2 Corinthians 11:6 Paul lacked not the kind of eloquence which is meet for a man, and fit for the Gospel, but he willingly wanted that painted kind of speech, which too many nowadays hunt after and follow.
- 2 Corinthians 11:7 Another slander, to wit, that he was a rascal, and lived by the labor of his own hands. But herein, saith the Apostle, what can you lay against me, but that I was content to take any pains for your sakes, and when I lacked, to travail for my living with mine own hands in part, and partly also when poverty constrained me, I chose rather otherwise to seek my sustenance, than to be any burden to you, although I preached the Gospel unto you?
- 2 Corinthians 11:9 An amplification: so far is he from being ashamed of this act, that he hath also resolved with himself to do no otherwise hereafter amongst them, to the intent that it may always be truly said, that he taught in Achaia for nothing: not that he disdaineth the Corinthians, but that these Thrasoes may never find the occasion which they have already sought for, and he in the mean season may set something before them to follow, that at length they may truly say, that they are like to Paul.
- 2 Corinthians 11:10 This is a form of an oath, as if he said, let me not be thought to have any truth in me.
- 2 Corinthians 11:10 Shall be always open to me.
- 2 Corinthians 11:12 Paul’s adversaries sought all occasions they could, to be equal to him. And therefore seeing they had rather eat up the Corinthians, than preach to them for nothing, they sought another occasion, to wit, to make Paul to take something: which thing if he had done, then hoped they by that means to be equal to him: for they made such a show of zeal and knowledge, and set it forth with such a glossing kind of eloquence, that some of them even despised Paul: but he showeth that all this is nothing but colors and painting.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13 Now at length he pointeth out these fellows in their colors, forewarning that it will come to pass, that they will at length betray themselves, what countenance soever they make of zeal that they have to God’s glory.
- 2 Corinthians 11:14 By light is meant the heavenly glory, whereof the Angels are partakers.
- 2 Corinthians 11:16 He goeth forward boldly, and using a vehement Irony of kind of taunting, desireth the Corinthians to pardon him, if for a time he contend as a fool before them being wise, with those jolly fellows touching those eternal things, to wit, touching his stock, his ancestors and valiant acts.
- 2 Corinthians 11:20 Before he cometh to the matter, he toucheth the Corinthians, who persuading themselves to very wise men, did not mark in the mean season that those false apostles abused their simplicity for advantage.
- 2 Corinthians 11:21 As if he said, in respect of that reproach which they do unto you (I speak it) which surely is as evil as if they did beat you.
- 2 Corinthians 11:21 Paul is called weak, in that he seemeth to the Corinthians a vile and abject man, a beggarly artificer, a most wretched and miserable idiot, whereas notwithstanding therein God’s mighty power was made manifest.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23 Paul being honorable indeed, defendeth his ministry openly, not for his own sake, but because he saw his doctrine come into hazard.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23 In danger of present death.
- 2 Corinthians 11:24 He alludeth to that that is written, Deut. 25:3, and moreover this place showeth us, that Paul suffered many things which Luke passed over.
- 2 Corinthians 11:25 Of the Roman Magistrates.
- 2 Corinthians 11:27 Painfulness is a troublesome sickness, as when a man who is weary and would rest, he is constrained to fall to new labor.
- 2 Corinthians 11:28 He addeth this in conclusion further, that the Corinthians might be ashamed to despise him, upon whose care almost all Churches depended, as it was plainly seen by experience.
- 2 Corinthians 11:30 He turneth that against the adversaries, which they objected against him: as if he should say, They allege my calamities, to take away my authority from me: but if I would boast myself, I would take no better argument: and God himself is my witness that I devise and forge nothing.
2 Corinthians 11
Authorized (King James) Version
11 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. 9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. 17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak.
Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 and through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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