What did Paul mean by 'I am more' in 2 Corinthians 11:23?
Paul meant he had endured more labor, stripes, imprisonments, and sufferings for the Gospel than the Jerusalem apostles, including Peter, James, and John. He was not boasting in himself but affirming his apostolic authority because Judaizers had undermined him and the Corinthians had put him down.
Les teaches that Paul is answering Judaizers who told the Corinthians he had never been with Peter or spent three years with Jesus, so they should not listen to him. Paul compares himself with the Twelve in Jerusalem: are they Hebrews, Israelites, seed of Abraham? So is he. Are they ministers of Christ? He speaks as a fool, yet inspired by the Spirit he says, “I am more.” He was more in labor, more abundant in stripes, in prison more frequent, in deaths often, and suffered for the Gospel in ways Peter, James, and John never did. Les explains that Paul did not take credit, saying in himself he was nothing, but he had to affirm his apostleship because the Corinthians were putting him down as of no count. He was not behind the chiefest apostles, not because of the Twelve’s preaching but because of his loyalty to Christ.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
More Questions
Why did Paul write 'I am more' in 2 Corinthians 11:23 if it sounds like bragging?
Paul realizes that saying 'I am more' may seem a little braggadocious, but he knows he is inspired by the Spirit to write it.
Why did Paul say he was more than the other apostles if it sounded like bragging?
Paul realizes that saying 'I am more' may sound braggadocious, but he knows he is inspired by the Spirit to write it, because he was more than those back in Jerusalem — more in labor, more abundant.
Did Paul think his boast in 2 Corinthians 11 was bragging?
Paul realizes that claiming to be more than the Jerusalem apostles may sound braggadocious, but he knows he is inspired by the Spirit to write it.
How did Paul answer the charge that he was inferior to the Jerusalem apostles?
Paul answers the charge of inferiority by matching the Jerusalem apostles credential for credential — Hebrew, Israelite, seed of Abraham, minister of Christ — and then claiming he is more.