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For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face.

Verse Takeaways

1

A Lesson in Sarcasm

Scholars unanimously agree that Paul is using biting sarcasm. He lists five ways the Corinthians were being abused by false teachers—enslaved, financially exploited, taken advantage of, lorded over, and insulted. His point, as commentators highlight, is to expose their inconsistency: they "gladly" tolerated these tyrannical leaders while criticizing Paul for his gentle, Christ-like "weakness."

See 3 Verse Takeaways

Book Overview

2 Corinthians

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Commentaries

7

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On 2 Corinthians 11:20

18th Century

Theologian

For ye suffer, etc. You bear patiently with men who impose on you in every way, and who are constantly defrauding you, though you profess …

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On 2 Corinthians 11:20

For ye bear with a man (ανεχεσθε γαρ). " You tolerate tyranny, extortion, craftiness, arrogance, violence, and insult" (Plummer). …

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On 2 Corinthians 11:20

19th Century

Bishop

For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage.—Every word in the sentence clearly points to something that Titus had told him of the acti…

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Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On 2 Corinthians 11:19–22

(19–21a) Probably no verses in the letter are more scathingly ironical than these. Not only do the Corinthians humor fools; they do so “gladly,” be…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On 2 Corinthians 11:20

16th Century

Theologian

For you bear with it, if anyone. There are three ways in which this may be understood. He may be understood as reproving the Cori…

John Gill

John Gill

On 2 Corinthians 11:20

17th Century

Pastor

For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage
They not only suffered and tolerated the foolish boasting of these me…

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On 2 Corinthians 11:16–21

17th Century

Minister

It is the duty and practice of Christians to humble themselves, in obedience to the command and example of the Lord; yet prudence must direct which…