What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 11:16? I repeat • Paul is circling back to a theme he has already raised (2 Colossians 11:1; 11:4). • His repetition underscores urgency, much like his twice-spoken warning in Galatians 1:9. • Scripture shows that repetition is a divine teaching tool (Deuteronomy 6:7; Philippians 3:1), so we treat every repeated word as intentional and authoritative. Let no one take me for a fool • Paul insists on being judged fairly, not by worldly standards that label him “foolish” for suffering and weakness (1 Colossians 4:10; 2 Corinthians 10:10). • The literal command guards both Paul’s credibility and the Corinthians’ discernment; dismissing a true apostle as a fool opens the door to actual fools—“false apostles, deceitful workers” (2 Colossians 11:13). • In Proverbs 26:4 believers are warned, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly,” affirming Paul’s reluctance to engage in empty self-promotion. But if you do, then receive me as a fool • Knowing some will still misjudge him, Paul adopts their ground rules temporarily—an echo of 1 Corinthians 9:22, “I have become all things to all men.” • 2 Corinthians 11:19 says, “For you gladly put up with fools,” so Paul meets them where they are, yet without compromising truth. • This rhetorical move exposes the absurdity of boasting apostles by letting them taste their own standard. So that I too may boast a little • The aim is limited—“a little.” Paul contrasts his brief, reluctant boasting with the swagger of his opponents (2 Colossians 10:12, 18). • His “boast” will spotlight God’s work, not self-glory, in line with Jeremiah 9:24 and 2 Corinthians 10:17, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” • By stepping into “foolish” boasting, Paul defends the gospel and protects the church, ultimately pointing to Christ’s power perfected in weakness (2 Colossians 12:9-11). summary Paul repeats himself to gain full attention, urges the church not to mislabel him as a fool, willingly adopts their flawed metric so they can see its emptiness, and offers only a measured, Christ-centered “boast.” The verse models humble courage, guarding truth while exposing error, and reminds believers to evaluate leaders by Scriptural faithfulness rather than worldly flash. |
    |