Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 11:18
Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers while responding to rivals who rely on worldly credentials. He declares his intention to match their boasting, though he frames it as a deliberate departure from how the Lord would speak.
The words — The text records καυχῶνται (kauchōntai) and καυχῆσομαι (kauchēsomai), both meaning "boast." It pairs this with κατὰ σάρκα (kata sarka), literally "according to the flesh," to describe the basis of the opponents' claims.
The thread — The passage directly engages Jeremiah 9:23, which prohibits pride in human strength or wisdom, and 2 Corinthians 10:12, which condemns measuring oneself against others. Paul also mirrors the fool-versus-wise contrast found in 1 Corinthians 4:10.
Why it lands — The text states that fleshly boasting will be met with equal boasting, establishing a clear boundary between worldly and spiritual standards. A reader must decide whether to adopt self-commendation or accept the apostolic model of credibility grounded in divine rather than human metrics.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 9:23 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
- 1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
- 2 Corinthians 10:12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
- 2 Corinthians 11:12 But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.
- 2 Corinthians 11:21 To my shame I concede that we were too weak for that! Speaking as a fool, however, I can match what anyone else dares to boast about.
- 2 Corinthians 12:5 I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11 I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
- Philippians 3:3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
- 1 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,