The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 11:5 Explained

2 Corinthians 11:5

KJV: For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

YLT: for I reckon that I have been nothing behind the very chiefest apostles,

Darby: For I reckon that in nothing I am behind those who are in surpassing degree apostles.

ASV: For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  I suppose  I was  not a whit  behind  the very  chiefest  apostles. 

What does 2 Corinthians 11:5 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The "eminent apostles" were probably the false apostles who claimed to be eminent rather than the other genuine apostles. [1] The context supports this interpretation as does the rare term translated "eminent" (NASB, Gr. huperlian apostolon, lit. "exceedingly beyond apostles"). It is perhaps a term more appropriate to phonies claiming apostleship than to genuine apostles. However this term may have been one that Paul"s critics used to describe the Twelve in contrast to Paul (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:11-12). [2] By elevating the Twelve exceedingly they effectively denigrated the apostle to the Gentiles. Whichever view is correct the meaning is clear. Paul"s foes were claiming that he was an inferior apostle.
This is the third reason the readers should bear with Paul ( 2 Corinthians 11:1). He claimed that he was not inferior to these "super-apostles."

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 11:1-9 - "a Godly Jealousy"
As the Bridegroom's friend, Paul was eager to bring the Corinthian church to the Bridegroom of souls. But false teachers disturbed the purity and simplicity of their faith, as in Eden Satan perverted Eve. There would have been excuse if these false teachers had given his converts another and a better Savior or a greater Pentecost; but since these were impossible, he was well able to hold his ground, even though they were pre-eminent apostles in their own estimation. Paul was very conscious of the rudeness of his speech, of which apparently he had many reminders, but he was equally conscious of the direct knowledge that God had imparted to him.
He acknowledges that he had not taken their pecuniary support, which in itself was quite legitimate; but he altogether denies the inference which his enemies drew, that therefore he admitted his inferiority to the other servants of the Cross. He answers that insinuation by saying that he expressly refrained from accepting gifts, because of his desire to rob his critics of their argument that he was evangelizing the world for the purpose of making money. That they should make such wanton suggestions proved that they were Satan's emissaries. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 11

1  Out of his jealousy over the Corinthians, he enters into a forced commendation of himself,
5  of his equality with the chief apostles,
7  of his preaching the gospel to them freely, and without any charge to them;
13  showing that he was not inferior to those deceitful workers in any legal prerogative;
23  and in the service of Christ, and in all kinds of sufferings for his ministry, far superior

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 11:5

That I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles [μηδεν υστερηκεναι των υπερλιαν αποστολων]
Perfect active infinitive of υστερεω — hustereō old verb to fall short with the ablative case. The rare compound adverb υπερλιαν — 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 2 Corinthians 12:11. He is not referring to the pillar-apostles of Galatians 2:9. [source]
[]
d The very chiefest apostles ( τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων ) Lit., those who are preeminently apostles. Not referring to the genuine apostles, but ironically to the false teachers, the false apostles of 2 Corinthians 11:13. Compare 2 Corinthians 12:11. Farrar renders the extra-super apostles. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 11:5

Mark 10:21 One thing thou lackest [εν σε υστερει]
Luke 18:22 has it: “One thing thou lackest yet” Possibly two translations of the same Aramaic phrase. Matthew 19:20 represents the youth as asking “What lack I yet?” The answer of Jesus meets that inquiry after more than mere outward obedience to laws and regulations. The verb υστερω — husterō is from the adjective υστερος — husteros (behind) and means to be too late, to come short, to fail of, to lack. It is used either with the accusative, as here, or with the ablative as in 2 Corinthians 11:5, or the dative as in Textus Receptus here, σοι — soi f0). [source]
1 Corinthians 15:9 The least [ο ελαχιστος]
True superlative, not elative. Explanation of the strong word εκτρωμα — ektrōma just used. See note on Ephesians 3:8 where he calls himself “less than the least of all saints” and 1 Timothy 1:15 the “chief” (πρωτος — prōtos) of sinners. Yet under attack from the Judaizers Paul stood up for his rank as equal to any apostle (2 Corinthians 11:5., 2 Corinthians 11:23). [source]
2 Corinthians 12:11 I ought to have been commended of you []
You ought to have saved me the necessity of recounting my sufferings, and thus commending myself as not inferior to those preeminent apostles (2 Corinthians 11:5). [source]
2 Corinthians 12:11 For I ought to have been commended by you [εγω γαρ ωπειλον υπ υμων συνιστασται]
Explanation of “ye compelled me.” Imperfect active ωπειλον — ōpheilon of οπειλω — opheilō to be under obligation, and the tense here expresses an unfulfilled obligation about the present. But συνιστασται — sunistasthai is present passive infinitive, not aorist or perfect passive. He literally means, “I ought now to be commended by you” instead of having to glorify myself. He repeats his boast already made (2 Corinthians 11:5.), that he is no whit behind “the super-extra apostles” (the Judaizers), “though I am nothing” Even boasting himself against those false apostles causes a reaction of feeling that he has to express (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:15.). [source]
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me who am less than the least of all saints [εμοι τωι ελαχιστοτερωι παντων αγιων]
Dative case εμοι — emoi with ελοτη — elothē The peculiar form ελαχιστοτερωι — elachistoterōi (in apposition with εμοι — emoi) is a comparative (τερος — ̇teros) formed on the superlative ελαχιστος — elachistos This sort of thing was already done in the older Greek like εσχατοτερος — eschatoteros in Xenophon. It became more common in the Koiné. So the double comparative μειζοτεραν — meizoteran in 3 John 1:4. The case of αγιων — hagiōn is ablative. This was not mock humility (Romans 15:19), for on occasion Paul stood up for his rights as an apostle (2 Corinthians 11:5). [source]
1 Timothy 1:15 Acceptation [πρωτος]
Genitive case with ην — axios (worthy of). Late word (Polybius, Diod., Jos.) in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 4:9. Chief (ειμι — prōtos). Not ελαχιστος των αποστολων — ēn (I was), but τωι ελαχιστοτερωι παντων αγιων — eimi (I am). “It is not easy to think of any one but St. Paul as penning these words” (White). In 1 Corinthians 15:9 he had called himself “the least of the apostles” (elachistos tōn apostolōn). In Ephesians 3:8 he refers to himself as “the less than the least of all saints” (tōi elachistoterōi pantōn hagiōn). On occasion Paul would defend himself as on a par with the twelve apostles (Galatians 2:6-10) and superior to the Judaizers (2 Corinthians 11:5.; 2 Corinthians 12:11). It is not mock humility here, but sincere appreciation of the sins of his life (cf. Romans 7:24) as a persecutor of the church of God (Galatians 1:13), of men and even women (Acts 22:4.; Acts 26:11). He had sad memories of those days. [source]
1 Timothy 1:15 Chief [ειμι]
Not ελαχιστος των αποστολων — ēn (I was), but τωι ελαχιστοτερωι παντων αγιων — eimi (I am). “It is not easy to think of any one but St. Paul as penning these words” (White). In 1 Corinthians 15:9 he had called himself “the least of the apostles” In Ephesians 3:8 he refers to himself as “the less than the least of all saints” On occasion Paul would defend himself as on a par with the twelve apostles (Galatians 2:6-10) and superior to the Judaizers (2 Corinthians 11:5.; 2 Corinthians 12:11). It is not mock humility here, but sincere appreciation of the sins of his life (cf. Romans 7:24) as a persecutor of the church of God (Galatians 1:13), of men and even women (Acts 22:4.; Acts 26:11). He had sad memories of those days. [source]
2 Timothy 4:15 Greatly withstood [λίαν ἀντέστη]
Comp. 2 Timothy 3:8, and Galatians 2:11. This may refer to the occurrences at Ephesus (Acts 19:33), or to Alexander's attitude during Paul's trial. The former is more probable. Λίαν greatlynot in Paul, except in the compound ὑπερλίαν , 2 Corinthians 11:5; 2 Corinthians 12:11. Only here in Pastorals. Mostly in Synoptic Gospels. [source]
Revelation 2:2 Works [εργα]
The whole life and conduct as in John 6:29.And thy toil and patience (και τον κοπον και την υπομονην σου — kai ton kopon kai tēn hupomonēn sou). “Both thy toil and patience,” in explanation of εργα — erga and see 1 Thessalonians 1:3, where all three words (εργον κοποσ υπομονη — ergonεργα — koposκοποι — hupomonē) occur together as here. See Revelation 14:13 for sharp distinction between υπομονη — erga (activities) and κοπος — kopoi (toils, with weariness). Endurance (και οτι — hupomonē) in hard toil (κοπος — kopos).And that Further explanation of δυνασαι — kopos (hard toil).Not able (βαστασαι — ou dunēi). This Koiné form for the Attic βασταζω — dunasai (second person singular indicative middle) occurs also in Mark 9:22; Luke 16:2.Bear First aorist active infinitive of πειραζω — bastazō for which verb see John 10:31; John 12:6; Galatians 6:2. These evil men were indeed a heavy burden.And didst try (δυνηι εχεις — kai epeirasas). First aorist active indicative of τους λεγοντας εαυτους αποστολους — peirazō to test, a reference to a recent crisis when these Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6) were condemned. The present tenses (και ουκ εισιν — dunēiκαι ουκ οντας — echeis) indicate the continuance of this attitude. Cf. 1 John 4:1.Which call themselves apostles Perhaps itinerant missionaries of these Nicolaitans who posed as equal to or even superior to the original apostles, like the Judaizers so described by Paul (2 Corinthians 11:5, 2 Corinthians 11:13; 2 Corinthians 12:11). Paul had foretold such false teachers (Gnostics), grievous wolves, in Acts 20:29; in sheep‘s clothing, Jesus had said (Matthew 7:15).And they are not (και ευρες — kai ouk eisin). A parenthesis in Johannine style (John 2:9; John 3:9; 1 John 3:1) for ευρισκω — kai ouk ontas to correspond to επειρασας — legontas didst find (πσευδεις — kai heures). Second aorist active indicative of πσευδης — heuriskō Dropping back to the regular structure parallel with epeirasas (pseudeis). Predicate accusative plural of pseudēs self-deceived deceivers as in Revelation 21:8. [source]
Revelation 2:2 And that [ου δυνηι]
Further explanation of δυνασαι — kopos (hard toil).Not able (βαστασαι — ou dunēi). This Koiné form for the Attic βασταζω — dunasai (second person singular indicative middle) occurs also in Mark 9:22; Luke 16:2.Bear First aorist active infinitive of πειραζω — bastazō for which verb see John 10:31; John 12:6; Galatians 6:2. These evil men were indeed a heavy burden.And didst try (δυνηι εχεις — kai epeirasas). First aorist active indicative of τους λεγοντας εαυτους αποστολους — peirazō to test, a reference to a recent crisis when these Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6) were condemned. The present tenses (και ουκ εισιν — dunēiκαι ουκ οντας — echeis) indicate the continuance of this attitude. Cf. 1 John 4:1.Which call themselves apostles Perhaps itinerant missionaries of these Nicolaitans who posed as equal to or even superior to the original apostles, like the Judaizers so described by Paul (2 Corinthians 11:5, 2 Corinthians 11:13; 2 Corinthians 12:11). Paul had foretold such false teachers (Gnostics), grievous wolves, in Acts 20:29; in sheep‘s clothing, Jesus had said (Matthew 7:15).And they are not (και ευρες — kai ouk eisin). A parenthesis in Johannine style (John 2:9; John 3:9; 1 John 3:1) for ευρισκω — kai ouk ontas to correspond to επειρασας — legontas didst find (πσευδεις — kai heures). Second aorist active indicative of πσευδης — heuriskō Dropping back to the regular structure parallel with epeirasas (pseudeis). Predicate accusative plural of pseudēs self-deceived deceivers as in Revelation 21:8. [source]
Revelation 2:2 Bear [και επειρασας]
First aorist active infinitive of πειραζω — bastazō for which verb see John 10:31; John 12:6; Galatians 6:2. These evil men were indeed a heavy burden.And didst try (δυνηι εχεις — kai epeirasas). First aorist active indicative of τους λεγοντας εαυτους αποστολους — peirazō to test, a reference to a recent crisis when these Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6) were condemned. The present tenses (και ουκ εισιν — dunēiκαι ουκ οντας — echeis) indicate the continuance of this attitude. Cf. 1 John 4:1.Which call themselves apostles Perhaps itinerant missionaries of these Nicolaitans who posed as equal to or even superior to the original apostles, like the Judaizers so described by Paul (2 Corinthians 11:5, 2 Corinthians 11:13; 2 Corinthians 12:11). Paul had foretold such false teachers (Gnostics), grievous wolves, in Acts 20:29; in sheep‘s clothing, Jesus had said (Matthew 7:15).And they are not (και ευρες — kai ouk eisin). A parenthesis in Johannine style (John 2:9; John 3:9; 1 John 3:1) for ευρισκω — kai ouk ontas to correspond to επειρασας — legontas didst find (πσευδεις — kai heures). Second aorist active indicative of πσευδης — heuriskō Dropping back to the regular structure parallel with epeirasas (pseudeis). Predicate accusative plural of pseudēs self-deceived deceivers as in Revelation 21:8. [source]
Revelation 2:2 Which call themselves apostles [λεγοντας]
Perhaps itinerant missionaries of these Nicolaitans who posed as equal to or even superior to the original apostles, like the Judaizers so described by Paul (2 Corinthians 11:5, 2 Corinthians 11:13; 2 Corinthians 12:11). Paul had foretold such false teachers (Gnostics), grievous wolves, in Acts 20:29; in sheep‘s clothing, Jesus had said (Matthew 7:15).And they are not (και ευρες — kai ouk eisin). A parenthesis in Johannine style (John 2:9; John 3:9; 1 John 3:1) for ευρισκω — kai ouk ontas to correspond to επειρασας — legontas didst find (πσευδεις — kai heures). Second aorist active indicative of πσευδης — heuriskō Dropping back to the regular structure parallel with epeirasas (pseudeis). Predicate accusative plural of pseudēs self-deceived deceivers as in Revelation 21:8. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 11:5 mean?

I reckon for in nothing to have been inferior to those most eminent apostles
Λογίζομαι γὰρ μηδὲν ὑστερηκέναι τῶν Ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων

Λογίζομαι  I  reckon 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: λογίζομαι  
Sense: to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over.
μηδὲν  in  nothing 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: μηδείς 
Sense: nobody, no one, nothing.
ὑστερηκέναι  to  have  been  inferior 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Infinitive Active
Root: ὑστερέω  
Sense: behind.
τῶν  to  those 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ὑπερλίαν  most  eminent 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὑπέρ 
Sense: in behalf of, for the sake of.
ἀποστόλων  apostles 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἀπόστολος  
Sense: a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.

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