2 Corinthians — Chapter 11
Jealousy for the community
11:1
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Indeed, do bear with me.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul reluctantly asks permission for boasting to protect his hearers. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:1-2].
11:2
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For I am jealous for you with God’s jealousy, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Textual & reception notes
You is plural: the community is the single virgin in the betrothal image. God’s jealousy can express zeal from God or zeal of divine quality.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: His jealousy seeks to preserve the community's faithful attachment to Christ. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:1-2].
11:3
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
But I fear lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds should be corrupted away from the simplicity and purity toward Christ.
Textual & reception notes
Text [G]: Both simplicity and purity are present. Simplicity here is undivided devotion, not lack of intelligence.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Eve's deception illustrates the danger of corrupted fidelity. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:3].
11:4
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For if the one who comes proclaims another Jesus whom we did not proclaim, or you receive a different spirit that you did not receive, or a different good news that you did not accept, you bear with it well!
Textual & reception notes
You bear with it well is read as pointed irony in the surrounding rebuke; the wording is not turned into approval of the rival message.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He challenges tolerance of rivals who offer no superior gospel. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:4].
11:5
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For I reckon that I have fallen short in nothing of the exceedingly great apostles.
Textual & reception notes
Exceedingly great apostles renders hyperlian apostoloi, a pointed description, not an official rank. Its relationship to the false apostles at 11:13 remains an interpretive question.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He understands the foremost apostles here as Peter and his companions. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:5].
11:6
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Even if I am untrained in speech, I am not in knowledge; but in every way we have made it manifest to you in all things.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: A lack of rhetorical polish does not imply deficient knowledge. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:6].
Free proclamation and false apostles
11:7
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I proclaimed God’s good news to you free of charge?
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul's self-abasement serves the Corinthians' spiritual advancement. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:7].
11:8
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
I plundered other Churches, taking wages for the ministry to you.
Textual & reception notes
Plundered preserves the force of sylaō in the ironic comparison of support from other Churches; it is not expanded into a separate narrative accusation of theft.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Other churches supplied support while Paul ministered in Corinth. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:8].
11:9
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
And when I was present with you and in need, I burdened no one, for the brothers who came from Macedonia filled up my lack. And in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will keep myself so.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul avoided burdening them even during personal need. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:9].
11:10
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
The truth of Christ is in me: this boasting will not be silenced in me in the regions of Achaia.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Preaching without charge is a ground of ministerial confidence. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:10].
11:11
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Why? Because I do not love you? God knows.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Refusal of their money does not signify absence of love. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:11].
11:12
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
But what I do I will also continue to do, so that I may cut off the opportunity of those who desire an opportunity, so that in what they boast they may be found just as we are.
Textual & reception notes
The two purpose clauses are retained. The final clause can state the opportunity sought by the rivals or the intended result of Paul’s refusal; its attachment remains open.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The refusal removes a pretext for rival ministers' boasting. [Homily 23, on 2 Corinthians 11:12].
11:13
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: An apostolic appearance can conceal deceitful activity. [Homily 24, on 2 Corinthians 11:13].
11:14
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Satan's assumed appearance does not change his actual identity. [Homily 24, on 2 Corinthians 11:14-15].
11:15
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness; their end will be according to their works.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: False ministers likewise disguise themselves under an appearance of righteousness. [Homily 24, on 2 Corinthians 11:14-15].
The foolish boast
11:16
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Again I say, let no one think me foolish. But if otherwise, receive me even as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul's reluctant boasting answers a pastoral necessity. [Homily 24, on 2 Corinthians 11:16].
11:17
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
Textual & reception notes
Not according to the Lord explicitly qualifies this manner of boasting; no additional doctrinal classification of the entire letter is inserted.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The boastful form requires explanation by its protective purpose. [Homily 24, on 2 Corinthians 11:17].
11:18
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Ancestry and outward status supply no sufficient spiritual commendation. [Homily 24, on 2 Corinthians 11:18].
11:19
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Their tolerance of fools exposes their own responsibility. [Homily 24, on 2 Corinthians 11:19].
11:20
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For you bear with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone takes from you, if someone exalts himself, if someone strikes you in the face.
Textual & reception notes
Takes from you supplies the implied object of takes. The list names domination and exploitation; Paul’s irony does not turn them into instructions to endure abusive leaders.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He condemns exploitative domination and financial abuse. [Homily 24, on 2 Corinthians 11:20].
11:21
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
To my dishonor I say it: as though we had been weak! But in whatever anyone dares—I speak in foolishness—I also dare.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Refusal to dominate reflects Paul's choice, not mere incapacity. [Homily 24, on 2 Corinthians 11:21].
Labors, dangers, and weakness
11:22
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Are they Hebrews? I also. Are they Israelites? I also. Are they Abraham’s offspring? I also.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul can match his opponents' claims of ancestry. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:22-23].
11:23
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as one out of his mind: I more so—in labors more abundantly, in imprisonments more abundantly, in beatings beyond measure, in deaths often.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He establishes ministerial distinction chiefly through sufferings. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:22-23].
11:24
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
From Jews five times I received forty less one.
Textual & reception notes
Forty less one is the actual number expression. The immediate context is repeated beatings; lashes is understood, not an additional noun in the Greek.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Repeated punishment demonstrates the cost of his apostolic service. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:24].
11:25
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked; I have spent a night and a day in the deep.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Danger accompanies apostolic work on land and at sea. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:25].
11:26
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
In journeys often, in dangers of rivers, dangers of robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in a city, dangers in a wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers;
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Enemies and false brothers create dangers throughout his journeys. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:26].
11:27
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
in labor and toil, in sleepless nights often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Deprivation and exhausting labor form part of his continuing service. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:27-28].
11:28
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Apart from the things outside, there is the pressure upon me day by day, the concern for all the Churches.
Textual & reception notes
Things outside translates parektos; other things left unmentioned is another interpretation. Pressure renders epistasis in relation to daily concern.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Concern for the churches adds an inward burden. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:27-28].
11:29
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn?
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul personally shares the weakness and distress of others. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:29].
11:30
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
If I must boast, I will boast of the things of my weakness.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: His chosen boast concerns trials rather than spectacular achievements. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:30].
11:31
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed for the ages, knows that I am not lying.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He invokes God as witness to the account that follows. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:31-33].
11:32
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
In Damascus the ethnarch under King Aretas was guarding the city of the Damascenes to seize me,
Textual & reception notes
Ethnarch retains the administrative title ethnarchēs, a ruler over a people; the exact political arrangement is not reconstructed from this sentence.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The Damascus episode illustrates the hostility his ministry encountered. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:31-33].
11:33
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
and through a window I was lowered in a basket through the wall, and escaped his hands.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Escape shows that faithful endurance does not require reckless exposure. [Homily 25, on 2 Corinthians 11:31-33].