SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:5
¶ En verdad pienso que en nada he sido inferior a aquellos grandiosos apstoles.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:5
Verse 5. I was not-behind the very chiefest apostles.] That is: The most eminent of the apostles have not preached Christ, ministered the spirit, explained and enforced the doctrines of the Gospel in a more powerful and effectual manner than I have done.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 5. For I suppose I was not a whit behind , etc..] This is very modestly expressed by the apostle; for he does not assert, and in a haughty and confident way affirm, but only supposes, or thinks that this might be admitted, that he was not inferior to, or did not come short of, in gifts, grace, and usefulness, the very chiefest of the apostles : such as Peter, James, and John; who seemed to be pillars, were eminent apostles, of great note among them, and such as Christ, in the days of his flesh, took particular notice of. This he says, not to exalt himself, but to show, how weakly and injudiciously the Corinthians acted in setting up the false apostle above him; or else these words are spoken ironically, and design the false teachers, who vaunted so much of their gifts, learning, eloquence, and usefulness; and extolled themselves at such a rate, as if they were uper lian apostolwn , greatly above the apostles; and therefore he jeeringly calls them the very chiefest of them; and yet thinks fit to put himself at least, upon an equality with them: one manuscript reads, the chiefest of the apostles among you; and the Ethiopic version seems to have read you.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-15 - It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly an consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers an unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him a Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially when we consider the grea power which Satan, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, has upon the minds of many. And as there are temptation to evil conduct, so there is equal danger on the other side. It serve Satan's purposes as well, to set up good works against the atonement of Christ, and salvation by faith and grace. But the end will discove those who are deceitful workers; their work will end in ruin. Sata will allow his ministers to preach either the law or the gospe separately; but the law as established by faith in Christ' righteousness and atonement, and the partaking of his Spirit, is the test of every false system.
Greek Textus Receptus
λογιζομαι 3049 5736 V-PNI-1S γαρ 1063 CONJ μηδεν 3367 A-ASN υστερηκεναι 5302 5760 V-RAN των 3588 T-GPM υπερ 5228 PREP λιαν 3029 ADV αποστολων 652 N-GPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. The very chiefest apostles (twn uperlian apostolwn). Lit., those who are preeminently apostles. Not referring to the genuine apostles, but ironically to the false teachers, the false apostles of ver. 13. Compare ch. xii. 11. Farrar renders the extra-super apostles.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:5 {That I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles} (meden husterekenai twn huperlian apostolwn). Perfect active infinitive of husterew, old verb to fall short with the ablative case. The rare compound adverb huperlian (possibly in use in the vernacular) is probably ironical also, "the super apostles" as these Judaizers set themselves up to be. "The extra-super apostles" (Farrar). Also in #12:11. He is not referring to the pillar-apostles of #Ga 2:9.
