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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Corinthians 11:5 I consider myself in no way inferior to those "super-apostles."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/11-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/47_2Co_11_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Corinthians 11:5 - Paul and the False Apostles" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I consider myself in no way inferior to those super-apostles." /><script type="application/javascript" 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width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-4.htm" title="2 Corinthians 11:4">◄</a> 2 Corinthians 11:5 <a href="/2_corinthians/11-6.htm" title="2 Corinthians 11:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_corinthians/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I do not think I am in the least inferior to those &#8220super-apostles.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_corinthians/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_corinthians/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For I reckon in nothing to have been inferior to those "most eminent apostles."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_corinthians/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_corinthians/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_corinthians/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_corinthians/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_corinthians/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For I consider myself in no way inferior to the most-eminent apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_corinthians/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Yet I consider myself in no way inferior to the [so-called] super-apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the &#8220super-apostles.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_corinthians/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_corinthians/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I think I am as good as any of those super apostles. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_corinthians/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_corinthians/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I don't think I'm inferior in any way to your super-apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_corinthians/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I do not think that I am the least bit inferior to those very special so-called "apostles" of yours! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_corinthians/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I do not think I'm inferior in any way to those "super-apostles." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_corinthians/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For I consider myself not at all inferior to those "super-apostles."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_corinthians/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_corinthians/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very greatest apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/2_corinthians/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Why, I reckon myself in no respect inferior to those superlatively great Apostles.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_corinthians/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_corinthians/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for I reckon that I have been nothing behind the very chiefest apostles,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For I reckon in nothing to have been inferior to those "most eminent apostles."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_corinthians/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for I reckon that I have been nothing behind the very chiefest apostles,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_corinthians/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For I reckon myself to be nothing greatly inferior to the sent.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For I suppose that I have done nothing less than the great apostles. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_corinthians/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For I consider that I have done nothing less than the great Apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_corinthians/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For I think that I am not in any way inferior to these “superapostles.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_corinthians/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I think that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_corinthians/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For I think that I am not in the least inferior to the most distinguished apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/2_corinthians/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For I think that I have not come short in anything compared to those Apostles who greatly excel.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/2_corinthians/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />I count myself indeed to be in no respect inferior to the very greatest of the apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/2_corinthians/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For I consider that I am not inferior to the chief of the apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/2_corinthians/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For I reckon myself to be nothing inferior to the very chief of the apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/2_corinthians/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for I think I am not at all inferior to the chiefest of the apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/2_corinthians/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Why, I reckon myself in no respect inferior to those superlatively great Apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/2_corinthians/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For I reckon that I am in no respect behind the most eminent apostles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/2_corinthians/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For I think I was not inferior to the <i>very</i> chiefest apostles: and if <i>I am</i> unskilled in speech,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ddheG4hMg28?start=1926" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/11.htm">Paul and the False Apostles</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/3049.htm" title="3049: Logizomai (V-PIM/P-1S) -- To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose. ">I consider myself</a> <a href="/greek/3367.htm" title="3367: mēden (Adj-ANS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">in no way</a> <a href="/greek/5302.htm" title="5302: hysterēkenai (V-RNA) -- From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.">inferior</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to those</a> <a href="/greek/5228.htm" title="5228: Hyperlian (Adv) -- Gen: in behalf of; acc: above. ">“super-apostles.”</a> <a href="/greek/652.htm" title="652: apostolōn (N-GMP) -- From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ."></a> </span> <span class="reftext">6</span>Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-10.htm">1 Corinthians 15:10</a></span><br />But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-1.htm">1 Corinthians 9:1-2</a></span><br />Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? / Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Galatians 2:6-9</a></span><br />But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—those leaders added nothing to me. / On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. / For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-4.htm">Philippians 3:4-6</a></span><br />though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: / circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a></span><br />“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5-9</a></span><br />What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. / I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-9.htm">1 Corinthians 4:9-13</a></span><br />For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men. / 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. / To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-11.htm">1 Corinthians 12:11</a></span><br />All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/3-7.htm">Ephesians 3:7-8</a></span><br />I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. / Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-13.htm">Romans 11:13</a></span><br />I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-7.htm">1 Timothy 2:7</a></span><br />For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-16.htm">Acts 26:16-18</a></span><br />‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you. / I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them / to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-1.htm">1 Corinthians 1:1</a></span><br />Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-4.htm">1 Corinthians 2:4-5</a></span><br />My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, / so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-9.htm">1 Corinthians 15:9</a></span><br />For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very most chief apostles.</p><p class="hdg">I was not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">2 Corinthians 12:11,12</a></b></br> I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/15-10.htm">1 Corinthians 15:10</a></b></br> But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which <i>was bestowed</i> upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Galatians 2:6-9</a></b></br> But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed <i>to be somewhat</i> in conference added nothing to me: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_corinthians/8-23.htm">Apostles</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-10.htm">Best</a> <a href="/mark/10-44.htm">Chiefest</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-11.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-18.htm">Degree</a> <a href="/romans/16-13.htm">Eminent</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm">Great</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-2.htm">Greatest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-9.htm">Important</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-24.htm">Inferior</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-9.htm">Least</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-18.htm">Opinion</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-2.htm">Reckon</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-4.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Super-Apostles</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Superlatively</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-10.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-14.htm">Surpassing</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-11.htm">Think</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">Way</a> <a href="/john/13-10.htm">Whit</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">Apostles</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Best</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Chiefest</a> <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-13.htm">Degree</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Eminent</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-15.htm">Great</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Greatest</a> <a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Important</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Inferior</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Least</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Opinion</a> <a href="/philippians/2-6.htm">Reckon</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-21.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Super-Apostles</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Superlatively</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-16.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-7.htm">Surpassing</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-16.htm">Think</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-6.htm">Way</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Whit</a><div class="vheading2">2 Corinthians 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-1.htm">Out of his jealousy over the Corinthians, he enters into a forced commendation of himself,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">of his equality with the chief apostles,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">of his preaching the gospel to them freely, and without any charge to them;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">showing that he was not inferior to those deceitful workers in any legal prerogative;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-23.htm">and in the service of Christ, and in all kinds of sufferings for his ministry, far superior.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This reflects his deep conviction and understanding of his calling by Christ (<a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15-16</a>). His use of "I consider" indicates a thoughtful and deliberate assessment of his position, not based on pride but on the truth of his mission.<p><b>in no way inferior</b><br>Paul addresses the accusations and doubts cast by his opponents. The phrase suggests a defense against claims of inadequacy or lack of authority. This echoes his earlier defense of his ministry in <a href="/2_corinthians/3-5.htm">2 Corinthians 3:5-6</a>, where he states that his competence comes from God. It highlights the theme of divine empowerment over human credentials.<p><b>to those “super-apostles.”</b><br>The term "super-apostles" is likely used sarcastically to refer to individuals who claimed superior authority or credentials. These figures may have boasted of their rhetorical skills or Jewish heritage (<a href="/2_corinthians/11-22.htm">2 Corinthians 11:22</a>). Paul contrasts their self-promotion with his own sufferings and weaknesses, which he presents as evidence of true apostolic ministry (<a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a>). This phrase also connects to the broader theme of false teachings and the need for discernment within the church, as seen in <a href="/galatians/1-6.htm">Galatians 1:6-9</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth. He is defending his apostolic authority against those he sarcastically refers to as "super-apostles."<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/super-apostles.htm">Super-Apostles</a></b><br>A term used by Paul to describe certain individuals in Corinth who were challenging his authority and promoting themselves as superior apostles.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a></b><br>A major city in ancient Greece where Paul established a church. The city was known for its wealth, diversity, and moral challenges.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_church.htm">The Corinthian Church</a></b><br>The recipients of Paul's letter, struggling with internal divisions and external influences that questioned Paul's authority.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/apostolic_authority.htm">Apostolic Authority</a></b><br>The concept of authority given by Christ to His apostles to teach, lead, and establish churches.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_true_authority.htm">Understanding True Authority</a></b><br>Paul’s confidence in his calling comes from God, not human validation. Believers should seek God’s approval above all.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_leadership.htm">Discernment in Leadership</a></b><br>The church must discern true spiritual leadership based on biblical truth and character, not charisma or self-promotion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_service.htm">Humility in Service</a></b><br>Despite his authority, Paul models humility. Christians are called to serve with humility, recognizing that all authority is from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_false_teachings.htm">Guarding Against False Teachings</a></b><br>Just as Paul warned the Corinthians, believers today must be vigilant against teachings that deviate from the gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_the_body_of_christ.htm">Unity in the Body of Christ</a></b><br>Paul’s defense of his apostleship is ultimately for the unity and edification of the church. Christians should strive for unity in truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_corinthians_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_were_the_'super-apostles'.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 – Who were the so-called “super-apostles,” and why do we lack clear historical confirmation of their identity or influence? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_were_the_early_super-apostles.htm">Who were the super-apostles in early Christianity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_nag_hammadi_writings.htm">What are the Nag Hammadi writings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'angel_of_light'.htm">What is the meaning of "Angel of Light"?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_corinthians/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.</span>--The verb with which the sentence opens is the same as the "I think," "I reckon," which characterises these chapters, and which, being characteristic, ought to be retained. <span class= "ital">I reckon I have not fallen short of those apostles-extraordinary.</span> The whole tone of the passage ought to have made it impossible for any commentator to imagine that the words referred to Peter and James and John as the pillars of the Church of Jerusalem (<a href="/galatians/2-9.htm" title="And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go to the heathen, and they to the circumcision.">Galatians 2:9</a>). Of them he speaks, even in his boldest moments, with respect, even where respect is mingled with reproof. He is glad to remember how they gave to him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. He presents himself at Jerusalem a few months after writing these words, and almost submissively follows the counsel which James gives him (<a href="/acts/21-26.htm" title="Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.">Acts 21:26</a>). It is, accordingly, simply the insanity of controversy to imagine that these words have any bearing on the question of the primacy of St. Peter. Those whom he holds up to scorn with an almost withering irony, as "apostles-extraordinary" (he coins a word which literally means, "these <span class= "ital">extra-special</span> or <span class= "ital">over-extra</span> apostles"), are the false teachers, claiming to stand in a special relation to Christ, to be His Apostles--perhaps, also, to have a double title to the name, as delegates of the Church of Jerusalem. Of these he speaks more fully in <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm" title="For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.">2Corinthians 11:13</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_corinthians/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For</span>. It cannot be that you received this rival teacher as being so much superior to me; <span class="accented">for</span>, etc. <span class="cmt_word">I suppose.</span> Again, like the Latin <span class="accented">censeo</span> or <span class="accented">opinor</span>, with a touch of irony. <span class="cmt_word">I was not a whit behind;</span> <span class="accented">in no respect have I come short of</span>. <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>The very chiefest apostles.</span> The word used by St. Paul for "very chiefest" is one which, in its strangeness, marks the vehemence of his emotion. It involves an indignant sense that he had been most disparagingly compared with other apostles, as though he were hardly a genuine apostle at all. Yet he reckons himself to have done as much as the "above exceedingly" - or, as it might be expressed, the "out and out," "extra-super," or "super-apostolic," apostles. There is here no reflection whatever on the twelve; he merely means that, even if any with whom he was uufavourably contrasted were "apostles ten times over," he can claim to be in the front rank with them. This is no more than he has said with the utmost earnestness in <a href="/1_corinthians/15-10.htm">1 Corinthians 15:10</a>; <a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Galatians 2:6</a>. There is no self-assertion here; but, in consequence of the evil done by his detractors, St. Paul, with an utter sense of distaste, is forced to say the simple truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">I consider myself</span><br /><span class="grk">Λογίζομαι</span> <span class="translit">(Logizomai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3049.htm">Strong's 3049: </a> </span><span class="str2">To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">in no way</span><br /><span class="grk">μηδὲν</span> <span class="translit">(mēden)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3367.htm">Strong's 3367: </a> </span><span class="str2">No one, none, nothing. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">inferior</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑστερηκέναι</span> <span class="translit">(hysterēkenai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5302.htm">Strong's 5302: </a> </span><span class="str2">From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to those</span><br /><span class="grk">τῶν</span> <span class="translit">(tōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“super-apostles.”</span><br /><span class="grk">Ὑπερλίαν</span> <span class="translit">(Hyperlian)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5228.htm">Strong's 5228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gen: in behalf of; acc: above. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">2 Corinthians 11:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I reckon that I am not (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Corinthians 11:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Corinthians 11:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Corinthians 11:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Corinthians 11:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>