Lexical Summary paraphroneó: To be insane, to be out of one's mind, to act irrationally Original Word: παραφρονέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to be insaneFrom para and phroneo; to misthink, i.e. Be insane (silly) -- as a fool. see GREEK para see GREEK phroneo HELPS Word-studies 3912 paraphronéō (from 3844 /pará, "contrary-beside" and 5426 /phronéō, "inner perspective regulating outward behavior") – properly, "beside oneself," acting contrary to sound thinking; acting deranged or delirious (LS), like someone mad (insane), i.e. "out of their mind." 3912 /paraphronéō is only used in 2 Cor 11:23. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and phroneó Definition to be beside oneself, to be deranged NASB Translation insane (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3912: παραφρονέωπαραφρονέω, παραφρόνω; (παράφρων (from παρά (which see IV. 2) and φρήν, 'beside one's wits')); to be beside oneself, out of one's senses, void of understanding, insane: 2 Corinthians 11:23. (From Aeschylus and Herodotus down; once in the Sept., Zechariah 7:11.) Topical Lexicon Entry Title: Paraphroneō – To Be Beside OneselfOccurrence in the New Testament Paraphroneō appears once, at 2 Corinthians 11:23, where Paul writes, “I am talking like one out of my mind”. The participial form παραφρονῶν underscores the rarity of the term and heightens the rhetorical force of its single use. Immediate Context in 2 Corinthians Paul is answering opponents who parade their credentials. Refusing to concede the field, he momentarily “boasts” of his own sufferings. He prefaces the list with παραφρονῶν to show that any self-praise is, in his view, irrational. The word signals: • A conscious rhetorical device: Paul distances himself from boasting even while employing it. The Biblical Motif of Apparent Madness Scripture frequently records God’s servants being judged irrational when they confront worldly norms: • Jesus’ relatives say, “He is out of His mind” (Mark 3:21). Paraphroneō stands with these texts, reminding readers that faithful obedience may appear senseless to a culture blind to divine wisdom. Historical Reception Early Christian writers drew on 2 Corinthians 11 to encourage perseverance under persecution. Chrysostom noted that Paul treats boasting as a “kind of insanity” precisely because true greatness lies in suffering for Christ. Medieval commentators applied the verse to ascetic practice, arguing that voluntary humility will often be misunderstood as folly. Theological Significance 1. Boasting and Self-Denial • True apostleship centers on weakness, not credentials. • Any reliance on the flesh is spiritual insanity when viewed in light of the cross. 2. Perception and Reality • Believers may seem irrational when they adopt kingdom values. • God purposely uses vessels the world deems “beside themselves” to display His power. 3. Discernment in Ministry • Leaders must beware of self-promotion cloaked in spiritual language. • Congregations should evaluate claims of authority by gospel faithfulness, not by showmanship. Practical Applications • Self-examination: Assess whether any ministry activity is driven by the desire to appear successful rather than to exalt Christ. Related Biblical Themes for Further Study Foolishness versus wisdom: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 Boasting in the Lord: Jeremiah 9:23–24; 2 Corinthians 10:17 Weakness as strength: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 Summary Paraphroneō in 2 Corinthians 11:23 encapsulates the paradox of Christian ministry—boasting that is no boasting, wisdom that seems insanity, weakness that proves divine power. The term invites believers to measure success by faithfulness to Christ, even when the world concludes they have lost their minds. Forms and Transliterations παραφρονήσει παραφρονούντα παραφρονων παραφρονών παραφρονῶν paraphronon paraphronôn paraphronōn paraphronō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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