2 Corinthians 11:17 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Not after the Lord. By inspired guidance he excepts this 'glorying' from the inspired authoritativeness which belongs to all else that he wrote: even this boasting, though undesirable in itself (Luke 17:10), was permitted by the Spirit, taking into account its aim-namely, to draw off the Corinthians from false teachers to the apostle. This passage gives no proof that any Scripture is uninspired. It merely guards against his boasting being made a justification of boasting in general, which (as in the ease of the false apostles) is not ordinarily "after the Lord" - i:e., consistent with Christian humility.

Foolishly - Greek, 'in foolishness.'

Confidence of boasting (2 Corinthians 9:4).

2 Corinthians 11:17

17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.