SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:16
¶ Otra vez digo: Que nadie me estime ser loco; de otra manera, recibidme como a loco, para que aun me gloríe yo un poquito.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:16
Verse 16. Let no man think me a fool] See the note on 2 Cor. xi. 1. As the apostle was now going to enter into a particular detail of his qualifications, natural, acquired, and spiritual; and particularly of his labours and sufferings; he thinks it necessary to introduce the discourse once more as he did 2 Cor. xi. 1.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. I say again, let no man think me a fool , etc..] For praising himself, or speaking in his own commendation; which he was obliged to do, in vindication of his own character, against the false apostles, for the sake of the Gospel he preached, and for the advantage and welfare of the Corinthians; that they might not be imposed upon and carried away with the insinuations of these deceitful men; wherefore he desires them once more, that if he must be accounted a fool for speaking in his own behalf; if otherwise , says he, if they could not be persuaded that he acted a wise part, but must be looked upon as a fool, for what he said of himself, yet as a fool receive me ; or suffer me, or bear with my folly: he desires that he might have, and use the liberty which fools have usually granted to them, to speak out the truth, and all they know, which is not always allowed to wise men: that I may boast myself a little ; in a few instances, and for a small space of time; he suggests, that the false apostles boasted much of themselves, and they bore with them, and had done so for a great while; and therefore it was no unreasonable request he made, that they would also suffer him to boast of himself a little, especially since there was such an absolute necessity for it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16-21 - It is the duty and practice of Christians to humble themselves, in obedience to the command and example of the Lord; yet prudence mus direct in what it is needful to do things which we may do lawfully even the speaking of what God has wrought for us, and in us, and by us Doubtless here is reference to facts in which the character of the false apostles had been shown. It is astonishing to see how such me bring their followers into bondage, and how they take from them an insult them.
Greek Textus Receptus
παλιν 3825 ADV λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S μη 3361 PRT-N τις 5100 X-NSM με 3165 P-1AS δοξη 1380 5661 V-AAS-3S αφρονα 878 A-ASM ειναι 1511 5750 V-PXN ει 1487 COND δε 1161 CONJ μηγε 3361 PRT-N καν 2579 COND-C ως 5613 ADV αφρονα 878 A-ASM δεξασθε 1209 5663 V-ADM-2P με 3165 P-1AS ινα 2443 CONJ μικρον 3397 A-ASN τι 5100 X-ASN καγω 2504 P-1NS-C καυχησωμαι 2744 5667 V-ADS-1S
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:16 {Let no man think me foolish} (me tis me doxei afrona einai). Usual construction in a negative prohibition with me and the aorist subjunctive doxei (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 933). {But if ye do} (ei de me ge). Literally, "But if not at least (or otherwise)," that is, If you do think me foolish. {Yet as foolish} (kan hws afrona). "Even if as foolish." Paul feels compelled to boast of his career and work as an apostle of Christ after the terrible picture just drawn of the Judaizers. He feels greatly embarrassed in doing it. Some men can do it with complete composure (_sang froid_).
