II Corinthians 11:20

For--Ye may well "bear with" fools; for ye even "bear with" oppressors. Translate, "Ye bear with them." a man--as the false apostles do. bring you into bondage--to himself. Translate "brings," not "bring"; for the case is not merely a supposed case, but a case actually then occurring. Also "devours" (namely, by exactions, Mat 23:24; Psa 53:4), "takes," "exalts," "smites." take of you--So the Greek for "take" is used for "take away from" (Rev 6:4). ALFORD translates, as in Co2 12:16, "catches you." exalt himself--under the pretext of apostolic dignity. smite you on the face--under the pretext of divine zeal. The height of insolence on their part, and of servile endurance on yours (Kg1 22:24; Neh 13:25; Luk 22:64; Act 23:2; Ti1 3:3).

In this chapter the apostle goes on with his discourse, in opposition to the false apostles, who were very industrious to lessen his interest and reputation among the Corinthians, and had prevailed too much by their insinuations. I. He apologizes for going about to commend himself, and gives the reason for what he did (Co2 11:1-4). II. He mentions, in his own necessary vindication, his equality with the other apostles, and with the false apostles in this particular of preaching the gospel to the Corinthians freely, without wages (Co2 11:5-15). III. He makes another preface to what he was about further to say in his own justification (Co2 11:16-21). And, IV. He gives a large account of his qualifications, labours, and sufferings, in which he exceeded the false apostles (Co2 11:22 to the end).

11:20-21a The Corinthian church had welcomed the intruders even when they exploited and insulted them. They even saw Paul’s refusal to exploit them as too “weak.”