“That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.”– 2 Corinthians 11:17 (KJV)
“When I do this, I’m not acting on Christ’s authority but on my own, because it’s all been so much nonsense.” – 2 Corinthians 11:17 (NLT)
“I’m not talking about the Lord’s authority. I’m talking like a fool, and boasting.” – 2 Corinthians 11:17 (MSG)
What Does 2 Corinthians 11:17 Mean?
This verse captures a moment where Paul, the apostle, shares his feelings about the things he is about to say. In the context of this letter, we see Paul dealing with some difficult issues in the church in Corinth. He wants to communicate effectively, yet he feels need to express that his forthcoming words are not necessarily inspired by God, but rather a reflection of his human perspective. He acknowledges that he is about to boast in a way that might seem foolish. It is as if he recognizes the absurdity of placing confidence in human accomplishments while trying to lead others toward spiritual truths.
Paul uses this passage to shine a light on how easy it is to get caught up in boasting about our achievements or knowledge. He wants the Corinthians to grasp the importance of humility and relying on God over personal pride. When we think about our lives and what we achieve, it becomes easy to forget about the grace and strength provided by God. Instead, we sometimes focus on our accomplishments, thinking that they are solely our own doing. Therefore, Paul’s message serves as a reminder to us all – when we talk about our successes, we should bear in mind the context of God’s work in our lives.
2 Corinthians 11:17 Explanation and Commentary
When we engage with 2 Corinthians 11:17, we should recognize the larger narrative of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. This context reveals that the Corinthian church was facing false teachings and leaders who were promoting themselves rather than the message of Christ. Paul sees himself as compelled to defend his apostleship and the true message of the gospel.
His admission of speaking “not after the Lord” does not mean he dismisses his relationship with God. Rather, Paul’s intention is to illustrate that in this moment, he is using his own human experience to address the issues at hand. He needed to regain the confidence of the Corinthians. He successfully uses the very act of boasting to emphasize how divorced it is from true authority – the authority of Christ. We find this connection with sincerity of humility in many other scriptures, such as Proverbs 27:2, which says, “Let another person praise you, not your own mouth.” This reinforces Paul’s intricate understanding of boasting.
We might ask ourselves what it means to step into Paul’s shoes. If we were to voice our accolades, how would we ensure we are pointing others back to God? A probing question could be, “Are we giving God glory or taking it for ourselves?” In this moment, Paul gently leads us back to self-awareness and accountability. He encourages us to examine the motivations in our praises and towards others who may be falsely leading people away from the truth.
Paul’s words lead him to an important conclusion – that confidence, boasting and the authority behind our messages should lead back to God. Our commitment cannot just rely on human wisdom. Instead, we should rely on God’s wisdom, knowing that He gives us the ability to achieve what we have accomplished. We are truly rich when we stand before God and proclaim His goodness instead of our abilities.
Context of 2 Corinthians 11:17
The Corinthian church was a colorful assembly of believers, bursting with diversity but also chaos. They faced numerous challenges, including divisions, immorality, and confusion over spiritual gifts. After establishing the church, Paul wrote this second letter to address these issues and to further clarify the true nature of Christian leadership. In the backdrop of these challenges arose the self-appointed super-apostles, who sought to undermine Paul’s authority while bragging about their own. This led Paul to the point where he must defend his ministry.
Understanding the cultural context helps to realize why Paul would feel compelled not just to defend himself, but to redefine what it means to be a leader in the church. The boasting and glorification of individual accomplishments was common in Greco-Roman culture. It was a matter of honor and reputation. Paul exposes this mindset and drives it into the ground by juxtaposing it against the grace and humility found within Christ.
When we examine the earlier verses leading up to verse 17, Paul expresses his concern for the church in light of falling prey to deception. He warns them, explaining the danger of relying on flashy words and false teachings. This section of the letter acts similarly to a wake-up call. Through his own experiences, Paul teaches us the importance of staying grounded in the authenticity of Christ.
We can find guidance in other portions of his letters like Philippians 2:3-4, which encourages us to act with humility and serve others, rather than promote ourselves. Paul wants the Corinthians and us, to place importance on the condition of our hearts rather than merely the accolades we are capable of achieving.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of 2 Corinthians 11:17
In this verse, Paul engages in a style of writing known as rhetoric, a method he uses strategically to persuade. The phrases he employs indicate that he is wary of sounding braggadocious even while addressing these serious concerns. He presents a stark contrast with the way others may boast about their credentials and experiences. He is essentially saying, “If boasting is what it takes to get your attention, let me show you how foolish that is.” His commitment to truth overrides any need for validation from his audience.
There is richness in Paul’s desire to remind the Corinthians that boasting is empty without a foundation in Christ. As we reflect on what this means for our lives, we might look closely at what we find ourselves boasting about. What do we think gives us worth and value? Is it our achievements, career, or even our relationship? It’s easy to slip into a sense of pride but reflecting on scripture teaches us the dangers associated with pride. James 4:6 reminds us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Paul exemplifies the humility that God calls us to embody. While many boast in their worldly attributes, we should celebrate humility before God, leaning into His grace.
Furthermore, the emotion evident in Paul’s voice conveys a heartfelt plea to remove any distractions from the gospel message. He wants his audience to hear the truth rather than get swept away by inflated rhetoric or attention-seeking behavior found in the culture surrounding them. This option is all too real today in our society, where boasting and self-promotion may create barriers to recognizing Christ in others.
As we discuss these key elements in Paul’s message, we are encouraged to acknowledge that every talent and ability we possess comes from God. By cultivating gratitude for what we have received from Him, we can remain humble stewards of His gifts while spreading the gospel effectively.
Lessons to Learn From 2 Corinthians 11:17
In our reflections on this verse, several lessons become clear. Firstly, humility stands as a central theme in the Christian life. We should recognize our strengths and gifts, but not allow them to define our identities or lead us to point others to ourselves instead of God. As Paul shows us, sincere leadership involves a journey that may include adversity yet seeks the ultimate goal of glorifying God.
Next, we can learn about the nature of boasting and what it should look like in our lives. As believers, we are called to engage in a life of transparency where we share our journeys without boasting about accomplishments. We can approach conversations with joy about what God has done in and through us without taking credit ourselves. We find a special context for this encouragement in Galatians 6:14, “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Moreover, Paul’s encouragement to share our experiences can open avenues to accountability and growth. We learn that each story shared can encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we refrain from glowing narratives about ourselves and instead share our lessons learned, we create a supportive community built upon faith and learning rather than comparison.
We should take time to remember that our calling is to bring others closer to Christ. Whenever we talk about the blessings in our lives, we should acknowledge the hand of God, allowing our stories to have powerful meaning and purpose. We are empowered to lift others up with words that reflect His provision and grace, providing deeper connections and clarifications of our faith.
Final Thoughts
As we conclude our exploration of 2 Corinthians 11:17, we find Paul’s poignant message resonating deeply in our personal journeys. His encouragement to remain humble while speaking truths about our experiences allows us the space to grow and inspire others. We should strive to wield our voices in a way that points to God’s greatness instead of our own. This can be practically applied in our everyday lives.
May it remind us that boasting should emanate from what we witness God doing within us and around us. Our stories should reflect His grace and faithfulness, providing hope to those who listen. Let us be vigilant against self-exaltation and rely on God’s strength and guidance to navigate life’s challenges. In the end, the lessons learned from Paul lead us to a deeper understanding of what it means to community, reliance, and serving one another in unity.
If you enjoyed reading this, consider exploring more topics on our site such as 1 Samuel 20:3 or 1 Corinthians 14:11. There is so much to learn!