The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 11:16 Explained

2 Corinthians 11:16

KJV: 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.

YLT: Again I say, may no one think me to be a fool; and if otherwise, even as a fool receive me, that I also a little may boast.

Darby: Again I say, Let not any one think me to be a fool; but if otherwise, receive me then even as a fool, that I also may boast myself some little.

ASV: I say again, let no man think me foolish; but if ye do , yet as foolish receive me, that I also may glory a little.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does 2 Corinthians 11:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul apologized again for having to resort to mentioning these experiences (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:1). He did so to prove to the skeptical minority in the church that he had suffered as much as, if not even more than, the false apostles. The false teachers had impressed the "wise" Corinthians with their boasts. Consequently Paul answered these fools according to their folly ( Proverbs 26:5). However, he stressed that he was not a fool but was only speaking as one (i.e, boasting) to make his point.
"The key term is aphron, "fool": not a dim-witted person or clown, a jester (as in "play the fool"), but in the technical sense of the person in hellenistic-Roman society who had lost the correct measure (metron) of himself and the world around him ..." [1]

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 11:10-21 - Constrained To Silence Boasters
In vivid language, which proves how greatly he had been moved, the Apostle contrasts the false teachers who were injuring his converts with himself. They brought their disciples under bondage, exalted themselves, and lived in self-indulgence. He did not hesitate to unveil their true character and to designate them as emissaries of Satan. We need to fear a white devil even more than a black one. Satan conceals his deeds under the guise of an angel clothed in light; and as it is with him, so with his instruments; as their deeds are, so will be their end.
In the succeeding category, 2 Corinthians 11:16-21, Paul confesses freely that his words might seem in conflict with the humility that Jesus taught, and might savor of boastfulness and pride; but for the sake of the truth he stooped to the level of these false teachers, and adopted their own methods. Though he would not think of plundering or of smiting the disciples as these intruders did, yet he would meet the latter on their own ground. The proverb says, "Answer a fool according to his folly," and this is an exact description of the Apostle's defense. This much at least was clear: that the motive of his life was absolutely pure and selfless, and was capable of lifting him to a career of unparalleled heroism. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 11

1  Out of his jealousy over the Corinthians, he enters into a forced commendation of himself,
5  of his equality with the chief apostles,
7  of his preaching the gospel to them freely, and without any charge to them;
13  showing that he was not inferior to those deceitful workers in any legal prerogative;
23  and in the service of Christ, and in all kinds of sufferings for his ministry, far superior

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 11:16

Let no man think me foolish [μη τις με δοχηι απρονα ειναι]
Usual construction in a negative prohibition with μη — mē and the aorist subjunctive δοχηι — doxēi (Robertson, Grammar, p. 933). [source]
But if ye do [ει δε μη γε]
Literally, “But if not at least (or otherwise),” that is, If you do think me foolish. Yet as foolish (καν ως απρονα — kan hōs aphrona). “Even if as foolish.” Paul feels compelled to boast of his career and work as an apostle of Christ after the terrible picture just drawn of the Judaizers. He feels greatly embarrassed in doing it. Some men can do it with complete composure (sang froid). [source]
Yet as foolish [καν ως απρονα]
“Even if as foolish.” Paul feels compelled to boast of his career and work as an apostle of Christ after the terrible picture just drawn of the Judaizers. He feels greatly embarrassed in doing it. Some men can do it with complete composure (sang froid). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 11:16

2 Corinthians 12:6 I shall not be foolish [ουκ εσομαι απρων]
Apparent contradiction to 2 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Corinthians 11:16. But he is here speaking of the Paul “caught up” in case he should tell the things heard (condition of the third class, εαν — ean and first aorist subjunctive τελησω — thelēsō). [source]
2 Corinthians 12:11 I am become foolish [γεγονα απρων]
Perfect active indicative of γινομαι — ginomai In spite of what he said in 2 Corinthians 12:6 that he would not be foolish if he gloried in the other Paul. But he feels that he has dropped back to the mood of 2 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Corinthians 11:16. He has been swept on by the memory of the ecstasy. [source]
Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice [νυν χαιρομεν]
This is not a new note for Paul. See him in jail in Philippi (Acts 16:25) and in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33; Romans 5:3; Philemon 2:18. [source]
Colossians 1:24 Fill up on my part [ανταναπληρω]
Very rare double compound verb (here only in N.T.) to fill It is now Paul‘s “turn” at the bat, to use a baseball figure. Christ had his “turn,” the grandest of all and suffered for us all in a sense not true of any one else. It is the idea of balance or correspondence in αντι — anti as seen in Demosthenes‘s use of this verb (De Symm., p. 282), “the poor balancing the rich.” And yet Christ did not cause suffering to cease. There is plenty left for Paul and for each of us in his time. That which is lacking (τα υστερηματα — ta husterēmata). “The left-overs,” so to speak. Late word from υστερεω — hustereō to come behind, to be left, to fail. See Luke 21:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:12. For his body‘s sake As Paul showed in his exultation in suffering in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, though not in the same sense in which Christ suffered and died for us as Redeemer. Paul attaches no atoning value whatever to his own sufferings for the church (see also Colossians 1:18). [source]
Colossians 1:24 For his body‘s sake [υπερ του σωματος αυτου]
As Paul showed in his exultation in suffering in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, though not in the same sense in which Christ suffered and died for us as Redeemer. Paul attaches no atoning value whatever to his own sufferings for the church (see also Colossians 1:18). [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 11:16 mean?

Again I say no one me should think a fool to be if however otherwise even as receive that I also little a may boast
Πάλιν λέγω μή τίς με δόξῃ ἄφρονα εἶναι εἰ δὲ μή¦γε κἂν ὡς δέξασθέ ἵνα κἀγὼ μικρόν τι καυχήσωμαι

Πάλιν  Again 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πάλιν  
Sense: anew, again.
λέγω  I  say 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
μή  no 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μή 
Sense: no, not lest.
τίς  one 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
με  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
δόξῃ  should  think 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δοκέω  
Sense: to be of opinion, think, suppose.
ἄφρονα  a  fool 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄφρων  
Sense: without reason.
εἶναι  to  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
μή¦γε  otherwise 
Parse: Particle
Root: εἰ 
Sense: otherwise, but if not.
κἂν  even 
Parse: Adverb
Root: κἄν  
Sense: and if.
δέξασθέ  receive 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Middle, 2nd Person Plural
Root: δέχομαι  
Sense: to take with the hand.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
κἀγὼ  I  also 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative 1st Person Singular
Root: κἀγώ  
Sense: and I.
μικρόν  little 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: μικρός  
Sense: small, little.
καυχήσωμαι  may  boast 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 1st Person Singular
Root: καυχάομαι  
Sense: to glory (whether with reason or without).