2 Corinthians 11:20
New International Version
In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face.

New Living Translation
You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face.

English Standard Version
For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.

Berean Standard Bible
In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face.

Berean Literal Bible
For you bear it if anyone enslaves you, if anyone devours you, if anyone takes from you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone strikes you in your face.

King James Bible
For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

New King James Version
For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.

New American Standard Bible
For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, if anyone devours you, if anyone takes advantage of you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone hits you in the face.

NASB 1995
For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.

NASB 1977
For you bear with anyone if he enslaves you, if he devours you, if he takes advantage of you, if he exalts himself, if he hits you in the face.

Legacy Standard Bible
For you bear it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.

Amplified Bible
For you tolerate it if anyone makes you his slave; or devours you and your possessions; or takes advantage of you; or acts presumptuously; or hits you in the face.

Christian Standard Bible
In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone is arrogant toward you, if someone slaps you in the face.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone captures you, if someone dominates you, or if someone hits you in the face.

American Standard Version
For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face.

Contemporary English Version
In fact, you let people make slaves of you and cheat you and steal from you. Why, you even let them strut around and slap you in the face.

English Revised Version
For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When someone makes you slaves, consumes your wealth, seizes your property, orders you around, or slaps your faces, you put up with it.

Good News Translation
You tolerate anyone who orders you around or takes advantage of you or traps you or looks down on you or slaps you in the face.

International Standard Version
You tolerate anyone who makes you his slaves, devours what you have, takes what is yours, orders you around, or slaps your face!

Majority Standard Bible
In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face.

NET Bible
For you put up with it if someone makes slaves of you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone behaves arrogantly toward you, if someone strikes you in the face.

New Heart English Bible
For you put up with it if someone makes slaves of you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone exalts himself, if someone strikes you on the face.

Webster's Bible Translation
For ye suffer, if a man bringeth you into bondage, if a man devoureth you, if a man taketh from you, if a man exalteth himself, if a man smiteth you on the face.

Weymouth New Testament
For you tolerate it, if any one enslaves you, lives at your expense, makes off with your property, gives himself airs, or strikes you on the face.

World English Bible
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, or if he strikes you on the face.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for you bear, if anyone is bringing you under bondage, if anyone devours, if anyone takes away, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone strikes you on the face;

Berean Literal Bible
For you bear it if anyone enslaves you, if anyone devours you, if anyone takes from you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone strikes you in your face.

Young's Literal Translation
for ye bear, if any one is bringing you under bondage, if any one doth devour, if any one doth take away, if any one doth exalt himself, if any one on the face doth smite you;

Smith's Literal Translation
For ye bear, if any reduce you to bondage, if any devour, if any receive, if any be lifted up, if any skin you on the face.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take from you, if a man be lifted up, if a man strike you on the face.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For you permit it when someone guides you into servitude, even if he devours you, even if he takes from you, even if he is extolled, even if he strikes you repeatedly on the face.

New American Bible
For you put up with it if someone enslaves you, or devours you, or gets the better of you, or puts on airs, or slaps you in the face.

New Revised Standard Version
For you put up with it when someone makes slaves of you, or preys upon you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or gives you a slap in the face.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For you endure the man who dominates you, and the man who lives at your expense, and the man who takes from you, and the man who exalts himself over you, and the man who smites you on the face.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And do you submit to the one who is subject to you and to him who embezzles you and to him who takes from you and to him who exalts himself over you and to him who strikes you on your face?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For you bear it, if one enslave you, if one devour you, if one take from you, if one exalt himself, if one smite you on the face.

Godbey New Testament
for you bear with them, if any one enslaves you, if any one devours you, if any one captures you, if any one is exalted against you, if any one smites you in the face.

Haweis New Testament
For ye bear if a man enslave you, if a man eat you up, if a man receive from you, if a man is insolent, if a man smite you on the face.

Mace New Testament
if a man impose upon you, if he preys upon you, if he makes a gain of you, if a man insults you, if he disgracefully assaults you, I mean it as to their reproaches, you take it all;

Weymouth New Testament
For you tolerate it, if any one enslaves you, lives at your expense, makes off with your property, gives himself airs, or strikes you on the face.

Worrell New Testament
For ye bear with it, if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes you captive, if one exalts himself, if one smites you on the face.

Worsley New Testament
ye bear it, even if any one enslave you, if any devour you, if any take your substance, if any be lifted up, yea if any one smite you on the face.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Suffering and Service
19For you gladly tolerate fools, since you are so wise. 20In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face. 21To my shame I concede that we were too weak for that! Speaking as a fool, however, I can match what anyone else dares to boast about.…

Cross References
Galatians 2:4
This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.

Galatians 4:9
But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

1 Corinthians 9:19
Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Romans 6:18
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life.

Matthew 23:4
They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Matthew 23:13
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.

Acts 15:10
Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?

1 Peter 5:3
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

1 Corinthians 7:23
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

John 8:33-36
“We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?” / Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. / A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever. ...

Exodus 1:14
and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.

Exodus 5:6-9
That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen: / “You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw. / But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ ...

Nehemiah 5:15
The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God.


Treasury of Scripture

For you suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

if a man bring.

2 Corinthians 1:24
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Galatians 4:3,9,25
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: …

take.

Romans 16:17,18
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them…

Philippians 3:19
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

1 Thessalonians 2:5
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

a man smite.

Isaiah 50:6
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Lamentations 3:30
He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.

Luke 6:29
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

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Bear Blows Bondage Captive Devour Devoureth Devours Enslaves Exalt Exalteth Exalts Expense Exploits Face Fact Gives Hits Makes Money Preys Prisoners Profit Property Puts Servants Slaves Smite Smiteth Strikes Suffer Tolerate
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Bear Blows Bondage Captive Devour Devoureth Devours Enslaves Exalt Exalteth Exalts Expense Exploits Face Fact Gives Hits Makes Money Preys Prisoners Profit Property Puts Servants Slaves Smite Smiteth Strikes Suffer Tolerate
2 Corinthians 11
1. Out of his jealousy over the Corinthians, he enters into a forced commendation of himself,
5. of his equality with the chief apostles,
7. of his preaching the gospel to them freely, and without any charge to them;
13. showing that he was not inferior to those deceitful workers in any legal prerogative;
23. and in the service of Christ, and in all kinds of sufferings for his ministry, far superior.














In fact
This phrase serves as a strong assertion by Paul, emphasizing the reality of the situation he is addressing. The Greek word used here, "gar," often functions as a conjunction that introduces an explanation or reason. Paul is highlighting the absurdity of the Corinthians' tolerance for false apostles, contrasting it with their skepticism towards his genuine apostleship. This serves as a call for discernment and a reminder of the importance of adhering to true doctrine.

you even put up with
The Greek word "anechomai" is used here, meaning to endure or tolerate. Paul is expressing his astonishment and disappointment that the Corinthians are willing to endure mistreatment from false teachers. This tolerance is not commendable but rather a sign of spiritual immaturity. It serves as a cautionary tale for believers to be vigilant and discerning, not allowing false teachings to take root in their communities.

anyone who enslaves you
The term "enslaves" comes from the Greek "katadouloō," which means to bring into bondage. Paul is metaphorically describing how the false apostles are leading the Corinthians into spiritual slavery by imposing legalistic practices and false doctrines. This is a stark reminder of the freedom believers have in Christ and the danger of returning to a yoke of bondage, as Paul also warns in Galatians 5:1.

or exploits you
The Greek word "katesthio" means to devour or consume. Paul is accusing the false apostles of exploiting the Corinthians for their own gain, whether financially or through manipulation. This exploitation is a violation of the servant-leadership model that Christ exemplified. Believers are called to be wise stewards of their resources and to support leaders who genuinely care for their spiritual well-being.

or takes advantage of you
The phrase "lambanō" in this context implies taking or seizing something by force or deceit. Paul is highlighting the deceitful tactics of the false apostles who are taking advantage of the Corinthians' trust. This serves as a warning to be cautious of those who seek to manipulate or deceive for personal gain, and to hold leaders accountable to the truth of the Gospel.

or exalts himself
The Greek word "epairō" means to lift up or elevate. Paul is criticizing the false apostles for their pride and self-promotion, which is contrary to the humility that Christ demonstrated. This is a reminder for believers to be wary of leaders who seek their own glory rather than the glory of God, and to emulate the humility and servant-heartedness of Jesus.

or strikes you in the face
This phrase is likely metaphorical, indicating the level of abuse and disrespect the Corinthians are enduring from the false apostles. The Greek word "derō" can mean to beat or strike. Paul is using hyperbolic language to emphasize the severity of the situation. It serves as a call to recognize and reject abusive leadership, and to seek leaders who reflect the love and gentleness of Christ.

(20) 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 action of these rival teachers. They reproduced, in their worst form, the vices of the Pharisaism of Palestine (Matthew 23:4; Matthew 23:14; Matthew 23:25). They enslaved the consciences of men (the same word is used of the same class of men in Galatians 2:4) by pressing on them an iron code of rules which left no room for the free play of conscience and of reason in those over whom they claimed to act as directors.

If a man devour you.--The word again reminds us of our Lord's denunciation of the teachers who "devoured widows' houses" (Matthew 23:14). . . .

Verse 20. - For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage. The verse gives us an unexpected and painful glimpse of the enslaving (Galatians 2:4), greed-loving (Matthew 23:14; Romans 16;18), gain-hunting (1 Peter 5:2, 3), domineering (3 John 1:9). and even personally violent and insulting character of these teachers; whom yet, strange to say, the Corinthians seem to take at their own estimate, and to tolerate any extreme of insolence from them, while they were jealously suspicious of the disinterested, gentle, and humble apostle. If a man devour you. As the Pharisees "devoured" widows' houses (Matthew 23:14). Take of you; rather, seize you; makes you his captives. The verb is the same as "caught you," in 2 Corinthians 12:16. Smite you on the face. They must have brought their insolence with them from Jerusalem, where, as we see, not only from the details of our Lord's various mockeries, but from the accounts of the priests in Josephus and the Talmud, the priests made free use of their fists and staves! The fact that so many of the converts were downtrodden slaves and artisans would make them less likely to resent conduct to which they were daily accustomed among the heathen. Neither Greeks nor Orientals felt to anything like the same extent as ourselves the disgrace of a blow. That sense of disgrace rises flora the freedom which Christianity has gradually wrought for us, and the deep sense of the dignity of human nature, which it has inspired Christ had been so smitten, and so was Paul himself long afterwards (Acts 23:2), and he had to teach even Christian bishops that they must be "no strikers" (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7). The "syllogism of violence" has, alas! been in familiar use among religious teachers in all ages (1 Kings 22:24; Nehemiah 13:25; Isaiah 58:4; Matthew 5:39; Luke 22:64; 1 Corinthians 4:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In fact,
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

you even put up with
ἀνέχεσθε (anechesthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 430: To endure, bear with, have patience with, suffer, admit, persist.

anyone who
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

enslaves
καταδουλοῖ (katadouloi)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2615: To enslave. From kata and douloo; to enslave utterly.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[or]
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

exploits [you]
κατεσθίει (katesthiei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2719: To eat up, eat till it is finished, devour, squander, annoy, injure. From kata and esthio; to eat down, i.e. Devour.

[or]
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

takes advantage [of you]
λαμβάνει (lambanei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

[or]
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

exalts himself
ἐπαίρεται (epairetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1869: To raise, lift up. From epi and airo; to raise up.

[or]
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

strikes
δέρει (derei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1194: To flay, flog, scourge, beat. A primary verb; properly, to flay, i.e. to scourge, or to thrash.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

in
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the face.
πρόσωπον (prosōpon)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4383: From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 11:20 For you bear with a man if (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 11:19
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