John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 11:17

"That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorying." — 2 Corinthians 11:17 (ASV)

What I speak, I speak not after the Lord. His disposition, it is true, kept God in view, but the outward appearance might seem unsuitable for a servant of the Lord. At the same time, the things that Paul confesses respecting himself, he, on the other hand, condemns in the false Apostles. For it was not his intention to praise himself, but simply to contrast himself with them, in order to humble them. Therefore, he applies to himself what belonged to them, so that in this way he might open the eyes of the Corinthians.

What I have translated as boldness is the Greek word ὑπόστασις, whose meaning we have discussed in the ninth chapter (2 Corinthians 9:4). Subject-matter or substance, unquestionably, would not be at all suitable here.