SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:1
¶ Bien que toleraseis un poco mi locura; pero toleradme.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:1
Verse 1. Would to God ye could bear with me] ofelon hneicesqe mou mikron. As the word God is not mentioned here, it would have been much better to have translated the passage literally thus: I wish ye could bear a little with me. The too frequent use of this sacred name produces a familiarity with it that is not at all conducive to reverence and godly fear. In my folly] In my seeming folly; for, being obliged to vindicate his ministry, it was necessary that he should speak much of himself, his sufferings, and his success. And as this would appear like boasting; and boasting is always the effect of an empty, foolish mind; those who were not acquainted with the necessity that lay upon him to make this defense, might be led to impute it to vanity. As if he had said: Suppose you allow this to be folly, have the goodness to bear with me; for though I glory, I should not be a fool, chap. xii. 6. And let no man think me a fool for my boasting, ver. 16.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. Would to God you could bear with me a little , etc..] The false apostles boasted so much of their gifts, abilities, and usefulness, that the apostle found himself under a necessity of saying some things in his own defence, for the honour of God, and the good of this church; which otherwise his modesty would not have permitted him, and which he saw would be accounted and censured as folly in him by others; and therefore he entreats their patience a little while, and that they would suffer him to say a few things in vindication of his character, and not be offended; though it would be in commendation of himself, which, were he not forced to, would look vain and foolish: and therefore says, bear with me a little in my folly , and which he presses with importunity, and indeed bear with me ; he insists upon it, he urges it as what he must not be denied in; for could he have avoided it, he would not have done it; but such was the case, that if he did not do it, he must greatly suffer in his character and usefulness; the members of this church would be in great danger from these false apostles, and the honour and glory of Christ lay greatly at stake; which when considered, he hoped his request would be granted: the last clause may be rendered, but also ye do bear with me; signifying that they had done so already, and continued to do so, and therefore he could not but encourage himself, that they still would bear with him a little longer, and in a few things more.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - The apostle desired to preserve the Corinthians from being corrupted by the false apostles. There is but one Jesus, one Spirit, and one gospel to be preached to them, and received by them; and why should any be prejudiced, by the devices of an adversary, against him who firs taught them in faith? They should not listen to men, who, withou cause, would draw them away from those who were the means of their conversion.
Greek Textus Receptus
οφελον 3785 INJ ανειχεσθε 430 5711 V-INI-2P μου 3450 P-1GS μικρον 3397 A-ASN τη 3588 T-DSF αφροσυνη 877 N-DSF αλλα 235 CONJ και 2532 CONJ ανεχεσθε 430 5736 V-PNI-2P μου 3450 P-1GS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. Folly. As my boasting may seem to you. Ironically spoken of that legitimate self-vindication demanded by the circumstances. Rev., foolishness.Bear with me (anecesqe). Some render as indicative: ye do bear with me.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:1 {Would that ye could bear with me} (ofelon aneicesqe mou). _Koin_ way of expressing a wish about the present, ofelon (as a conjunction, really second aorist active indicative of ofeilw without augment) and the imperfect indicative instead of eiqe or ei gar (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1003). Cf. #Re 3:15. See #Ga 5:12 for future indicative with ofelon and #1Co 4:8 for aorist. Mou is ablative case after aneicesqe (direct middle, hold yourselves back from me). There is a touch of irony here. {Bear with me} (anecesqe mou). Either imperative middle or present middle indicative (ye do bear with me). Same form. {In a little foolishness} (mikron ti afrosunes). Accusative of general reference (mikron ti). "Some little foolishness" (from afrwn, foolish). Old word only in this chapter in N.T.
