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2 CORINTHIANS 11:17 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
2 Cor 11:162 Cor 11:18
That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool — Paul *explicitly disavows* this *boasting* (*kaúchēsis*) as *not from the kyrios*, the Lord. It is *sarkikē*, carnal, pragmatism: since the Corinthians tolerate *fools*, Paul will speak *en hupalousei*, with foolish pretense. Yet the *irony* is *cutting*.

Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 11:17

“That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorifying.” Do you see how glorying is not “after the Lord?” For He says, “When you shall have done all, say, We are unprofitable servants.” Luke 17:10 Howbeit, by itself indeed it is not “after the Lord,” but by the intention it becomes so. And therefore he said, “That which I speak,” not accusing the motive, but the words. Since his aim is so admirable as to dignify the words…

Chrysostom · 4th century · Homily 24 on Second Corinthians
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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2 Corinthians 11:17 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy