2 Corinthians 11:21 Commentary and Bible Study

The word rendered ‘reproach’ means shame or dishonour, and the verse could be more clearly translated, ‘To my shame, I say that it was as if we were too weak for that’ – too weak to treat you in all those unpleasant ways that the false teachers treated you. But just as the previous verse was ironic, so too is this sentiment. Paul is not really expressing regret and admitting that he has made a mistake in how he behaved towards the Corinthians. The false teachers bossed them around and enslaved them under their doctrine. Clearly Paul does not wish to have anything to do with that sort of approach, but given the Corinthians’ compliance with this treatment, he says that he might have done the same and got away with it. In fact, his approach was entirely different and more honest. All this is said to draw attention to how differently he behaved from the Judaisers. ‘By standards I have just described, I should be ashamed; we are pathetic and don’t have all those things to boast about.’ He uses this language only to drive his point home.I speak as a fool – i.e. don’t imitate me.