2 Corinthians 11:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

2 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 11 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 Paul unwillingly entereth upon a commendation of himself, out of jealousy lest the Corinthians should be perverted by false apostles from the pure doctrine of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:5,6 He showeth that he was in all respects equal to the chiefest apostles. 2 Corinthians 11:7-15 That he declined being chargeable to them, not for want of love toward them, but to cut off occasion from those deceitful workers of taking shelter under his example. 2 Corinthians 11:16-22 That he was not inferior to those, whom they so patiently submitted to, in any of their boasted pretogatives, 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 but as a minister of Christ, in labours and sufferings for the gospel's sake, was abundantly their superior. That which the apostle here calls his folly, was his speaking so much in his own commendation; which indeed is no better than folly, unless there be a great reason; which was here, for it was the false teachers, vilifying his person and office, that put him upon it. The verb in the latter part of the verse, may be read either imperatively, (and so we translate it), as if it were an entreaty of them to excuse him in speaking so much good of himself; or indicatively, you do bear with me.