Fathers

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 12:11

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For in nothing was I behind the chiefest Apostles." See how he here too again speaks out with greater authoritativeness. For, before indeed he said, "I reckon I am not a whit behind," but here, after those proofs, he now boldly speaks out asserting the fact, as I said, thus absolutely. Not that even thus he departs from the mean, nor from his proper character. …

Homily 27 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Again he justifies himself for boasting. Earlier he said, "receive me, even as foolish" and "as if in foolishness," but now he calls himself foolish already without the particle "as"; for having done what he desired, he boldly subjects himself to such abasement, sufficiently teaching us not to boast without necessity, since Paul even when such necessity existed calls himself foolish. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Having commended himself, the Apostle now asks pardon for what he has said, showing that he was compelled to say these things which pertain to his glory. First, he lays the blame for his glorying on the Corinthians; secondly, he explains and clarifies this (v. 11b). First, therefore, he says: I confess that in all these commendations I have been a fool, i.e., it seems to you that I have performed the work of a fool. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗