Why did Paul say the Corinthians compelled him to boast in 2 Corinthians 12:11?
Paul explains that the Corinthians compelled him to boast because their constant resistance to his authority and refusal to believe him forced him to defend his apostleship. He had no personal pride in doing so; they should have commended him, since he stood even ahead of Peter, James, and John.
Les explains that Paul uses the word “fool” in glorying not from pride or egotism, but because the Corinthians’ constant resistance to his authority forced him to come back and prove his apostleship. Paul says they caused him to say all this because they would not believe him. He also says he ought to have been commended by them, since he was not behind the very chiefest apostles, Peter, James, and John—the inner three—but was even ahead of them. Les notes that Scripture repeats this same point three times in a chapter for emphasis, so we should take note.
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.
Who were the very chiefest apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 12:11?
Paul identifies the very chiefest apostles as Peter, James, and John. They were the chief ones, the three forming the inner sanctum of the twelve. Paul insists he is not behind them but even ahead of them in apostolic authority, though he speaks as a fool only because the Corinthians compelled him.
Why does Paul call himself a fool in 2 Corinthians 12:11?
Paul calls himself a fool in 2 Corinthians 12:11 because the Corinthians compelled him by their constant resistance to his authority and refusal to believe him. He was forced to glory or boast in defense of his apostleship, yet he did so not from egotism or pride, but to show he had no pride in himself.
More Questions
What credentials did Paul lack that the Corinthians used against him?
Paul lacked the credentials the Corinthians wanted: he had no authority, no letters of commendation, and could not say he had ministered with Christ for three years as Peter could.