The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 11:6 Explained

2 Corinthians 11:6

KJV: But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

YLT: and even if unlearned in word -- yet not in knowledge, but in every thing we were made manifest in all things to you.

Darby: But if I am a simple person in speech, yet not in knowledge, but in everything making the truth manifest in all things to you.

ASV: But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge; nay, in every way have we made this manifest unto you in all things.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  though  [I be] rude  in speech,  yet  not  in knowledge;  but  we have been throughly  made manifest  among  you  in  all things. 

What does 2 Corinthians 11:6 Mean?

Study Notes

rude
a simple person in speech.

Verse Meaning

Paul had just said that he was not inferior. He was not now claiming that he was inferior in speech. He evidently meant that even if his critics" charge that he was inferior in speech was true, which it was not, no one could charge him with being inferior in knowledge. Another view is that Paul meant he was not professionally trained as a rhetorician. The Corinthians knew very well Paul"s superior knowledge of the revelations of God (cf. Ephesians 3:4-5; 1 Corinthians 2:6-11). He had expounded divine truth to his readers exhaustively in person and in his letters. Obviously knowledge is more important than speech.
Paul had previously revealed that some of his Corinthian hearers criticized him for not being a skilled rhetorician ( 2 Corinthians 10:10). Nevertheless Paul was as competent as any of the Twelve or any of his critics in his ability to communicate as well as in his ability to understand God"s revelations. He was responding to criticism of him here, not conceding inferiority.
The fact that the early Christians used the word "apostle" in a general sense (e.g, 2 Corinthians 8:23; Acts 14:4; Acts 14:14; et al.) and in a technical sense (e.g, 2 Corinthians 1:1; et al.) probably created some confusion. In what sense was Paul an apostle? He claimed to be an apostle on a level equal with the Twelve. Yet the word in the general sense means anyone sent out on the Christian mission, and in this sense the teachers in Corinth who were criticizing Paul were apostles. Perhaps it would be more accurate to define the Corinthians" question about Paul as what type of apostle was he rather than was he an apostle or not.

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 11:1-9 - "a Godly Jealousy"
As the Bridegroom's friend, Paul was eager to bring the Corinthian church to the Bridegroom of souls. But false teachers disturbed the purity and simplicity of their faith, as in Eden Satan perverted Eve. There would have been excuse if these false teachers had given his converts another and a better Savior or a greater Pentecost; but since these were impossible, he was well able to hold his ground, even though they were pre-eminent apostles in their own estimation. Paul was very conscious of the rudeness of his speech, of which apparently he had many reminders, but he was equally conscious of the direct knowledge that God had imparted to him.
He acknowledges that he had not taken their pecuniary support, which in itself was quite legitimate; but he altogether denies the inference which his enemies drew, that therefore he admitted his inferiority to the other servants of the Cross. He answers that insinuation by saying that he expressly refrained from accepting gifts, because of his desire to rob his critics of their argument that he was evangelizing the world for the purpose of making money. That they should make such wanton suggestions proved that they were Satan's emissaries. [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 11:6

Rude in speech [ιδιωτης τωι λογωι]
Locative case with ιδιωτης — idiōtēs for which word see note on Acts 4:13; note on 1 Corinthians 14:16, note on 1 Corinthians 14:23, and 1 Corinthians 14:24. The Greeks regarded a man as ιδιωτης — idiōtēs who just attended to his own affairs (τα ιδια — ta idia) and took no part in public life. Paul admits that he is not a professional orator (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:10), but denies that he is unskilled in knowledge (αλλ ου τηι γνωσει — all' ou tēi gnōsei). [source]
Among all men [εν πασιν]
He has made his mastery of the things of Christ plain among all men. He knew his subject. [source]
Rude [ἰδίωτης]
See on 1 Corinthians 14:16. [source]
Have been made manifest [φανερωθέντες]
The correct reading is φανερώσαντες , active voice, we have made it manifest. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 11:6

Acts 4:13 Ignorant [ἰδιῶται]
Originally, one in a private station, as opposed to one in office or in public affairs. Therefore one without professional knowledge, a layman; thence, generally, ignorant, ill-informed; sometimes plebeian, common. In the absence of certainty it is as well to retain the meaning given by the A. V., perhaps with a slight emphasis on the want of professional knowledge. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:16, 1 Corinthians 14:23, 1 Corinthians 14:24; 2 Corinthians 11:6. [source]
Acts 4:13 Had perceived [καταλαμβανω]
Second aorist middle participle of κατα — katalambanō common verb to grasp strongly Present indicative retained in indirect discourse. Unlettered men without technical training in the professional rabbinical schools of Hillel or Shammai. Jesus himself was so regarded (John 7:15, “not having learned letters”). And ignorant Old word, only here in the N.T. and 1 Corinthians 14:24; 2 Corinthians 11:6. It does not mean “ignorant,” but a layman, a man not in office (a private person), a common soldier and not an officer, a man not skilled in the schools, very much like ιδιος — agrammatos It is from εταυμαζον — idios (one‘s own) and our “idiosyncracy” is one with an excess of such a trait, while “idiot” (this very word) is one who has nothing but his idiosyncracy. Peter and John were men of ability and of courage, but they did not belong to the set of the rabbis. They marvelled (επεγινωσκον αυτους — ethaumazon). Imperfect (inchoative) active, began to wonder and kept it up. Took knowledge of them Imperfect (inchoative) active again, they began to recognize them as men that they had seen with Jesus. [source]
Acts 4:13 And ignorant [αγραμματος]
Old word, only here in the N.T. and 1 Corinthians 14:24; 2 Corinthians 11:6. It does not mean “ignorant,” but a layman, a man not in office (a private person), a common soldier and not an officer, a man not skilled in the schools, very much like ιδιος — agrammatos It is from εταυμαζον — idios (one‘s own) and our “idiosyncracy” is one with an excess of such a trait, while “idiot” (this very word) is one who has nothing but his idiosyncracy. Peter and John were men of ability and of courage, but they did not belong to the set of the rabbis. They marvelled (επεγινωσκον αυτους — ethaumazon). Imperfect (inchoative) active, began to wonder and kept it up. Took knowledge of them Imperfect (inchoative) active again, they began to recognize them as men that they had seen with Jesus. [source]
1 Corinthians 1:5 Utterance - knowledge [λόγῳ - γνώσει]
The two words are found together, 1 Corinthians 12:8; 2 Corinthians 11:6; 2 Corinthians 8:7. For knowledge, see on Romans 11:33. Utterance, aptitude in speech. Paul gives thanks for speech as a means of testifying for Christ. “The saints have never been silent” (Pascal). [source]
1 Corinthians 14:16 He that filleth the place of the unlearned [ο αναπληρων τον τοπον του ιδιωτου]
Not a special part of the room, but the position of the ιδιωτου — idiōtou (from ιδιος — idios one‘s own), common from Herodotus for private person (Acts 4:13), unskilled (2 Corinthians 11:6), uninitiated (unlearned) in the gift of tongues as here and 1 Corinthians 14:23. At thy giving of thanks (επι τηι σηι ευχαριστιαι — epi tēi sēi eucharistiāi). Just the prayer, not the Eucharist or the Lord‘s Supper, as is plain from 1 Corinthians 14:17. [source]
2 Corinthians 10:10 Weighty and strong [πησιν]
These adjectives can be uncomplimentary and mean “severe and violent” instead of “impressive and vigorous.” The adjectives bear either sense. His bodily presence (βαρειαι και ισχυραι — hē parousia tou sōmatos). This certainly is uncomplimentary. “The presence of his body.” It seems clear that Paul did not have a commanding appearance like that of Barnabas (Acts 14:12). He had some physical defect of the eyes (Galatians 4:14) and a thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7). In the second century Acts of Paul and Thecla he is pictured as small, short, bow-legged, with eye-brows knit together, and an aquiline nose. A forgery of the fourth century in the name of Lucian describes Paul as “the bald-headed, hook-nosed Galilean.” However that may be, his accusers sneered at his personal appearance as “weak” (η παρουσια του σωματος — asthenēs). His speech of no account Perfect passive participle of ο λογος εχουτενημενος — exoutheneō to treat as nothing (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:28). The Corinthians (some of them) cared more for the brilliant eloquence of Apollos and did not find Paul a trained rhetorician (1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 2:1, 1 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:6). He made different impressions on different people. “Seldom has any one been at once so ardently hated and so passionately loved as St. Paul” (Deissmann, St. Paul, p. 70). “At one time he seemed like a man, and at another he seemed like an angel” (Acts of Paul and Thecla). He spoke like a god at Lystra (Acts 14:8-12), but Eutychus went to sleep on him (Acts 20:9). Evidently Paul winced under this biting criticism of his looks and speech. [source]
2 Corinthians 10:10 His speech of no account [αστενης]
Perfect passive participle of ο λογος εχουτενημενος — exoutheneō to treat as nothing (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:28). The Corinthians (some of them) cared more for the brilliant eloquence of Apollos and did not find Paul a trained rhetorician (1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 2:1, 1 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:6). He made different impressions on different people. “Seldom has any one been at once so ardently hated and so passionately loved as St. Paul” (Deissmann, St. Paul, p. 70). “At one time he seemed like a man, and at another he seemed like an angel” (Acts of Paul and Thecla). He spoke like a god at Lystra (Acts 14:8-12), but Eutychus went to sleep on him (Acts 20:9). Evidently Paul winced under this biting criticism of his looks and speech. [source]
2 Corinthians 6:9 As unknown and yet well known [ως αγνοουμενοι και επιγινοσκομενοι]
“As ignored (as nonentities, obscure, without proper credentials 2 Corinthians 3:2) and yet fully recognized (by all who really matter as in 2 Corinthians 11:6).” [source]
2 Corinthians 7:5 Had no relief [ουδεμιαν εσχηκεν ανεσιν]
Perfect active indicative precisely as in 2 Corinthians 2:13 which see, “has had no relief” (dramatic perfect). Afflicted (τλιβομενοι — thlibomenoi). Present passive participle of τλιβω — thlibō as in 2 Corinthians 4:8, but with anacoluthon, for the nominative case agrees not with the genitive ημων — hēmōn nor with the accusative ημας — hēmas in 2 Corinthians 7:6. It is used as if a principal verb as in 2 Corinthians 9:11; 2 Corinthians 11:6; Romans 12:16 (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 182; Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1132-35). Without were fightings Asyndeton and no copula, a parenthesis also in structure. Perhaps pagan adversaries in Macedonia (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:32). Within were fears (εσωτεν ποβοι — esōthen phoboi). Same construction. “Mental perturbations” (Augustine) as in 2 Corinthians 11:28. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:5 Afflicted [τλιβομενοι]
Present passive participle of τλιβω — thlibō as in 2 Corinthians 4:8, but with anacoluthon, for the nominative case agrees not with the genitive ημων — hēmōn nor with the accusative ημας — hēmas in 2 Corinthians 7:6. It is used as if a principal verb as in 2 Corinthians 9:11; 2 Corinthians 11:6; Romans 12:16 (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 182; Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1132-35). [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 11:6 mean?

If however even unpolished - in speech [I am] yet not - in knowledge but in every [way] we have been made manifest all things to you
εἰ δὲ καὶ ἰδιώτης τῷ λόγῳ ἀλλ’ οὐ τῇ γνώσει ἀλλ’ ἐν παντὶ φανερώσαντες πᾶσιν εἰς ὑμᾶς

δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
καὶ  even 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἰδιώτης  unpolished 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἰδιώτης  
Sense: a private person as opposed to a magistrate, ruler, king.
τῷ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
λόγῳ  in  speech  [I  am] 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.
ἀλλ’  yet 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἀλλά  
Sense: but.
τῇ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
γνώσει  in  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: γνῶσις  
Sense: knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding.
παντὶ  every  [way] 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
φανερώσαντες  we  have  been  made  manifest 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: φανερόω  
Sense: to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way.
πᾶσιν  all  things 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.