2 Corinthians 11:20

¹⁸ Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast.

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

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.

²¹ To my shame I concede that we were too weak for that! Speaking as a fool, however, I can match what anyone else dares to boast about.

²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

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: 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.
KJV: 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.
WEB: For you bear with a man if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, or if he strikes you on the face.
ASV: For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you [captive], if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face.
DARBY: For ye bear if any one bring you into bondage, if any one devour [you], if any one get [your money], if any one exalt himself, if any one beat you on the face.
BLB: For you⁺ bear with [it] if anyone enslaves you⁺, if anyone devours [you], if anyone takes [from you], if anyone lifts himself up, if anyone strikes you⁺ in the face.

ÅB: Dere tåler det jo om noen gjør dere til slaver, om noen fortærer dere, om noen fanger dere, om noen opphøyer seg over dere, om noen slår dere i ansiktet!
OTB: For dere tåler det hvis noen gjør dere til slaver, fortærer dere, utnytter dere, opphøyer seg selv, eller slår dere i ansiktet.
B1930: I tåler det jo om nogen gjør eder til træler, om nogen opeter eder, om nogen fanger eder, om nogen ophøier sig over eder, om nogen slår eder i ansiktet!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Galatians 2:4
This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
Read in context
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.
Read in context
Galatians 4:3
So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.
Read in context
Galatians 4:9
But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Read in context
Isaiah 50:6
I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.
Read in context
Luke 6:29
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well.
Read in context
Lamentations 3:30
Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 1:24
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.
Read in context