Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! New Living Translation After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! English Standard Version For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! Berean Standard Bible For you gladly put up with fools, since you are so wise. Berean Literal Bible For being wise, you bear with fools gladly! King James Bible For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. New King James Version For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! New American Standard Bible For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. NASB 1995 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. NASB 1977 For you, being so wise, bear with the foolish gladly. Legacy Standard Bible For you, being so wise, are bearing the foolish gladly. Amplified Bible For you, being so wise, gladly tolerate and accept the foolish [like me]! Christian Standard Bible For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools! Holman Christian Standard Bible For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools! American Standard Version For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves. Contemporary English Version And since you are so smart, you will gladly put up with a fool. English Revised Version For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves. GOD'S WORD® Translation You're wise, so you'll gladly put up with fools. Good News Translation You yourselves are so wise, and so you gladly tolerate fools! International Standard Version You are wise, so you will gladly be tolerant of fools. NET Bible For since you are so wise, you put up with fools gladly. New Heart English Bible For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise. Webster's Bible Translation For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. Weymouth New Testament Wise as you yourselves are, you find pleasure in tolerating fools. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor you gladly put up with fools, since you are so wise. World English Bible For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor you gladly bear with the fools—being wise, Berean Literal Bible For being wise, you bear with fools gladly! Young's Literal Translation for gladly do ye bear with the fools -- being wise, Smith's Literal Translation For ye bear with the mad willingly, being wise. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor you gladly suffer the foolish; whereas yourselves are wise. Catholic Public Domain Version For you freely accept the foolish, though you yourselves claim to be wise. New American Bible For you gladly put up with fools, since you are wise yourselves. New Revised Standard Version For you gladly put up with fools, being wise yourselves! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor you endure fools readily, knowing that you yourselves are wise. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Are you of those who are listening to the stupid, while you are wise? NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor it is a pleasure to you to bear with men of no understanding, since you yourselves are wise. Godbey New Testament For cheerfully do you, being wise, bear with the foolish: Haweis New Testament For ye bear with fools easily when you are wise yourselves. Mace New Testament for as wise as you are your selves, you easily bear with the folly of others. Weymouth New Testament Wise as you yourselves are, you find pleasure in tolerating fools. Worrell New Testament for ye gladly bear with the foolish, being yourselves wise. Worsley New Testament For ye bear with fools willingly, being yourselves so wise: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul's Suffering and Service…18Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19For you gladly tolerate fools, since you are so wise. 20In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face.… Cross References Proverbs 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes. Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ... Matthew 23:17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? Romans 1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 2 Corinthians 12:11 I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. Jeremiah 4:22 “For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.” Isaiah 44:25 who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense, 2 Timothy 3:13 while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” Proverbs 1:22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. 2 Peter 2:1-3 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. Treasury of Scripture For you suffer fools gladly, seeing you yourselves are wise. seeing. 1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. Jump to Previous Bear Find Foolish Fools Gladly Pleasure Readily Suffer Tolerate Wise YourselvesJump to Next Bear Find Foolish Fools Gladly Pleasure Readily Suffer Tolerate Wise Yourselves2 Corinthians 11 1. Out of his jealousy over the Corinthians, he enters into a forced commendation of himself,5. of his equality with the chief apostles, 7. of his preaching the gospel to them freely, and without any charge to them; 13. showing that he was not inferior to those deceitful workers in any legal prerogative; 23. and in the service of Christ, and in all kinds of sufferings for his ministry, far superior. For you gladly put up with fools Paul is using irony to address the Corinthians' tolerance of false apostles. In the Greco-Roman world, wisdom was highly valued, and the Corinthians prided themselves on their intellectual and spiritual discernment. However, Paul points out their inconsistency in accepting those who boast in their own wisdom rather than in Christ. This echoes the Old Testament warnings against false prophets (Jeremiah 23:16) and aligns with Jesus' teachings on discerning true from false teachers (Matthew 7:15-20). since you are so wise Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 2 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth. Paul is defending his apostleship and contrasting his genuine ministry with the false apostles. 2. Corinth A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral decadence. The church in Corinth faced many challenges, including divisions and the influence of false teachings. 3. False Apostles Individuals who were misleading the Corinthian church with false teachings and boasting of their own credentials, leading the believers away from the true gospel. Teaching Points Discernment in LeadershipBelievers must exercise discernment in whom they follow and listen to, ensuring that leaders align with biblical truth rather than worldly wisdom. The Danger of Pride The Corinthians' self-perceived wisdom led them to tolerate false teachings. Pride can blind us to truth and make us susceptible to deception. True Wisdom from God True wisdom is not found in human intellect or eloquence but in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. Believers should seek wisdom from God through prayer and Scripture. Guarding Against Deception Christians must be vigilant against false teachings by grounding themselves in the Word of God and testing all teachings against Scripture. Humility in Correction When addressing false teachings or foolishness, approach with humility and love, seeking restoration and truth rather than simply winning an argument. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 11:19?2. How does 2 Corinthians 11:19 challenge us to discern true from false teachers? 3. What does "gladly tolerate fools" reveal about the Corinthians' spiritual discernment? 4. How can we apply 2 Corinthians 11:19 to modern church leadership evaluation? 5. What other scriptures warn against tolerating false teachings in the church? 6. How can we strengthen our faith to avoid being misled as in 2 Corinthians 11:19? 7. Why does Paul sarcastically commend the Corinthians for tolerating fools in 2 Corinthians 11:19? 8. How does 2 Corinthians 11:19 challenge the concept of discernment in faith? 9. What historical context led Paul to address foolishness in 2 Corinthians 11:19? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 11? 11. How does wisdom lead to foolishness? 12. Why does God permit the existence of false teachers? 13. Micah 1:7 - How does the text's condemnation of idol worship align with other passages that appear to offer different perspectives or degrees of tolerance for pagan practices? 14. How will wisdom be destroyed? What Does 2 Corinthians 11:19 Mean For you gladlyPaul opens with a surprising word—“gladly.” The believers in Corinth were not dragged into tolerating error; they did it with enthusiasm. Earlier he had written, “I fear that, just as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be led astray” (2 Corinthians 11:3). Their eagerness revealed hearts that were already leaning toward compromise rather than standing firm in the simplicity of devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:4). put up with “To put up with” signals active allowance. They were giving room at their own table to teachings and teachers that diluted the true gospel. Paul had warned elsewhere, “A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough” (Galatians 5:9). Instead of testing every spirit (1 John 4:1), they opened the door wide. Compare this with Jesus’ commendation of the Ephesian church, which “cannot tolerate evil men” (Revelation 2:2). Tolerance of error is never a virtue when truth is at stake. fools, Here Paul employs irony. The “fools” are the self-proclaimed “super-apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:5) whose boasting and bondage-producing leadership Paul exposes in verses 20–21. Scripture labels those who deny or distort God’s truth as fools (Proverbs 1:7; Romans 1:22). By entertaining such voices, the Corinthians placed themselves in the company of folly rather than wisdom. since you are so wise. The sting is deliberate. They prided themselves on spiritual insight, much like their earlier boast, “We are already kings” (1 Corinthians 4:8). Paul’s sarcasm unmasks their self-confidence. True wisdom begins with fearing the Lord (Proverbs 9:10) and treasures “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). By boasting in human leaders they revealed how far they had drifted from genuine discernment (2 Corinthians 10:12). summary 2 Corinthians 11:19 is Paul’s loving yet sharp rebuke. The Corinthians eagerly tolerated false teachers, embracing folly while congratulating themselves on being wise. Genuine wisdom does not sentimentalize error; it clings to the pure gospel, tests every voice by Scripture, and refuses fellowship with teachings that diminish Christ’s finished work. (19) Ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.--He falls back into the strain of irony of 1Corinthians 4:8-10, to which, indeed, the whole passage presents a striking parallelism. He assumes that in their serene, self-complacent wisdom they will be willing to tolerate even those whom they look upon as half-insane. He drives the sarcasm home by urging that they tolerate those who are morally in a far worse condition.Verse 19. - Seeing you yourselves are wise; ye gladly tolerate the senseless, being intellectual (comp. 1 Corinthians 4:10). The irony would be very scathing to those whose minds and consciences were sufficiently humble and delicate to feel it.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Forγὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. you gladly tolerate ἀνέχεσθε (anechesthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 430: To endure, bear with, have patience with, suffer, admit, persist. fools, ἀφρόνων (aphronōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 878: Senseless, foolish, inconsiderate. Properly, mindless, i.e. Stupid, ignorant, egotistic, rash, or unbelieving. since you are ὄντες (ontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. so wise. φρόνιμοι (phronimoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 5429: Intelligent, prudent, sensible, wise. From phren; thoughtful, i.e. Sagacious or discreet; in a bad sense conceited. Links 2 Corinthians 11:19 NIV2 Corinthians 11:19 NLT 2 Corinthians 11:19 ESV 2 Corinthians 11:19 NASB 2 Corinthians 11:19 KJV 2 Corinthians 11:19 BibleApps.com 2 Corinthians 11:19 Biblia Paralela 2 Corinthians 11:19 Chinese Bible 2 Corinthians 11:19 French Bible 2 Corinthians 11:19 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 11:19 For you bear with the foolish gladly (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) |