2 Corinthians 11:18

¹⁶ I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

¹⁷ In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool.

Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast.

¹⁹ For you gladly tolerate fools, since you are so wise.

²⁰ In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast.
KJV: Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
WEB: Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.
ASV: Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
DARBY: Since many boast according to flesh, *I* also will boast.
BLB: Since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

ÅB: Ettersom mange roser seg på kjødelig vis, vil jeg og rose meg.
OTB: Siden mange skryter i henhold til verdslige standarder, vil jeg også skryte.
B1930: Eftersom mange roser sig på kjødelig vis, vil jeg og rose mig.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Corinthians 12:11
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.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Read in context
Philippians 3:3–4
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
Read in context
1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
Read in context
2 Corinthians 12:5–6
I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 4:10
We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 10:12–18
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
Read in context
Jeremiah 9:23–24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
Read in context