Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on 2 Corinthians 11:1

CHAPTER 11

2Co 11:1-33. Through Jealousy over the Corinthians, Who Made More Account of the False Apostles Than of Him, He Is Obliged to Commend Himself as in Many Respects Superior.

1. Would to God--Translate as Greek, "I would that."

bear with me--I may ask not unreasonably to be borne with; not so the false apostles (2Co 11:4, 20).

my--not in the oldest manuscripts.

folly--The Greek is a milder term than that for "foolishness" in 1Co 3:19; Mt 5:22; 25:2. The Greek for "folly" here implies imprudence; the Greek for "foolishness" includes the idea of perversity and wickedness.

and indeed bear--A request (so 2Co 11:16). But the Greek and the sense favor the translation, "But indeed (I need not wish it, for) ye do bear with me"; still I wish you to bear with me further, while I enter at large into self-commendations.