2 Corinthians 11:18 Cross References - Williams

¹⁸ Since many boast in accordance with their human nature, I will do it too.

¹⁰ For we have become a spectacle to the universe, to angels as well as men. For Christ's sake we are held as fools, while you through union with Christ are men of wisdom. We are weak; you are strong. You are held in honor; we in dishonor.

¹² Indeed, I do not dare to count or compare myself with certain men who are always recommending themselves. But they do not show good sense, because they do continue measuring themselves with one another and comparing themselves with one another. ¹³ But I shall never go too far in my boasting; no, I shall stay within the limits of the sphere which God apportioned me, so as to reach even you. ¹⁴ For I am not overstepping my authority as though I should not reach you, for I was the very first to reach as far as you with the good news of Christ. ¹⁵ I am not going too far in my boasting, and actually boasting of other men's labors, but I am cherishing the hope that your faith may so continue to grow that through you my work within my sphere may be so enlarged as to run over, ¹⁶ so that I can preach the good news in the regions beyond you, without boasting in another man's sphere of work already done by him. ¹⁷ "But the man who boasts must boast in the Lord. ¹⁸ For it is not the man who keeps on recommending himself who is really approved, but it is the man whom the Lord recommends.

¹² And I shall keep on doing as I am, in order to cut the ground from under the feet of those who want an opportunity to show themselves on a level with me in the matters of which they boast.

²¹ I am ashamed to say that I was, as it were, so weak in the matter. And yet in whatever respect anyone else is daring to boast -- I am talking like a fool -- I too will dare to boast. ²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. ²³ Are they ministers of Christ? So am I. I am talking like a man that has gone crazy -- as such I am superior! -- serving Him with labors greater by far, with far more imprisonments, with floggings vastly worse, and often at the point of death.

⁵ On behalf of this man with such an experience I will boast, but on behalf of myself personally I will boast only about my weaknesses. ⁶ However, if I want to boast, I will not play the fool, for it will be nothing but the truth that I will tell. But I refrain from doing so, to keep anybody, on account of the superiority of the revelations, from giving me a higher rating than my actions and teachings deserve.

⁹ but He said to me, "My spiritual strength is sufficient, for it is only by means of conscious weakness that perfect power is developed."

¹¹ I have made a fool of myself, but you have forced me to do it, for I am the man who ought to have been constantly approved by you. For I am not a single bit inferior to your surpassingly superior apostles, though really I am "nobody."

³ For we are the true circumcision, who by the Spirit of God worship Him, who take pride in Christ Jesus only, and do not rely on outward privileges, ⁴ though I too might rely on these. If anyone thinks that he can rely on outward privileges, far more might I do so:

²⁴ For "All human life is just like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass dries up; the flowers drop off.