II CORINTHIANS: Bold Boasting Among False Teachers; " To our shame I say that we were too weak for their intimidation! But in whatever anyone is bold, I am bold also!"

I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. (II Corinthians 11:16-18)

Throughout most of this second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul had spent a lot of time justifying himself as an apostle.  He explained how our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. (II Corinthians 1:12-14)

Then he asked if he and the other apostles needed to provide more proof of their authority.  Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;  clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (II Corinthians 3:1-3)

Next, he said the proof of their authority was in all they were suffering for the gospel and for the benefit of the churches, including the church in Corinth.  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. (II Corinthians 4:7-12; II Corinthians 6:1-10)

Finally, he went on to say they should be careful about listening to people who came after them teaching lies about them.  For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. (II Corinthians 5:12-13; II Corinthians 6:11-18)  For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. (II Corinthians 10:12-13)

Now Paul was saying he would speak to the church in Corinth just like these false teachers were; Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.  For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. (II Corinthians 11:19-23)

Paul was saying if the church wanted to listen to these false teachers simply because they were intimidated by their appearance and speech, then he would speak the same way.  Paul was saying he and the other apostles and disciples had to deal with those same false teachers and their intimidation of all kinds also, in stripes (being beaten), in prison, in death (almost being killed), but they didn't allow that to stop them from believing and spreading the gospel of Christ Jesus. To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! A very condescending remark, to make the church in Corinth realize that they could not be weak, but had to stay strong under persecution, just like we have to do today.

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. [Deuteronomy 25:1-3] Three times I was beaten with rods [Acts 16:20-24]; once I was stoned [Acts 14:19-20]; three times I was shipwrecked [Acts 27:39-44]; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. (II Corinthians 11:24-28)

With all the suffering and tribulation Paul experienced, his primary concern wasn't for his own well being, but daily he had a deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands [Acts 9:20-25]. (II Corinthians 11:29-33)

Most of us don't have to go through what Paul and the other apostles and disciples went through, but we do have to become more bold now and days, because the world is trying to put to death the gospel message.  Jesus said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-27)