2 Corinthians 11:18
New International Version
Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.

New Living Translation
And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.

English Standard Version
Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.

Berean Standard Bible
Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast.

Berean Literal Bible
Since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

King James Bible
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

New King James Version
Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

New American Standard Bible
Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.

NASB 1995
Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.

NASB 1977
Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.

Legacy Standard Bible
Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.

Amplified Bible
Since many boast [of worldly things and brag] about human accomplishments, I will boast too.

Christian Standard Bible
Since many boast according to the flesh, I will also boast.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since many boast in an unspiritual way, I will also boast.

American Standard Version
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

Contemporary English Version
Yet if others want to brag about what they have done, so will I.

English Revised Version
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Since it's common for people to brag, I'll do it too.

Good News Translation
But since there are so many who boast for merely human reasons, I will do the same.

International Standard Version
Since many people boast in a fleshly way, I will do it, too.

Majority Standard Bible
Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast.

NET Bible
Since many are boasting according to human standards, I too will boast.

New Heart English Bible
Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.

Webster's Bible Translation
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

Weymouth New Testament
Since many boast for merely human reasons, I too will boast.

World English Bible
Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast:

Berean Literal Bible
Since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

Young's Literal Translation
since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast:

Smith's Literal Translation
Since many boast according to the flesh, I shall also boast.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Seeing that many glory according to the flesh, I will glory also.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Since so many glory according to the flesh, I will glory also.

New American Bible
Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.

New Revised Standard Version
since many boast according to human standards, I will also boast.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Because many boast on the things of the flesh, I boast also.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because many boast in the flesh, I also shall brag.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

Godbey New Testament
Since many glory in the flesh, I will glory also.

Haweis New Testament
Seeing many boast themselves after the flesh, I will boast also.

Mace New Testament
since many glory in outward advantages, I will glory too.

Weymouth New Testament
Since many boast for merely human reasons, I too will boast.

Worrell New Testament
Since many glory according to the flesh, I also will glory;

Worsley New Testament
Since many boast in the flesh, I will boast also.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Suffering and Service
17In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19For you gladly tolerate fools, since you are so wise.…

Cross References
Philippians 3:3-7
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— / though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: / circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ...

Galatians 6:13-14
For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. / But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Romans 2:17-23
Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; / if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; / if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, ...

1 Corinthians 1:29-31
so that no one may boast in His presence. / It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. / Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Galatians 6:3-4
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. / Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 23:5-7
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. / They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, / the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.

Luke 18:9-14
To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: / “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ...

Romans 3:27
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith.

1 Corinthians 4:7
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Galatians 5:26
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.

Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.

Isaiah 10:15
Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood!

1 Samuel 2:3
Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed.

James 4:16
As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.


Treasury of Scripture

Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

many.

2 Corinthians 11:12,21-23
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we…

2 Corinthians 10:12-18
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise…

Jeremiah 9:23,24
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: …

I will.

2 Corinthians 12:5,6,9,11
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities…

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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.














Since many are boasting
The word "boasting" in Greek is "καυχάομαι" (kauchaomai), which means to glory or to take pride in something. In the context of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the issue of false apostles who were boasting about their credentials and achievements to gain influence over the Corinthian church. Historically, boasting was a common practice in Greco-Roman culture, where public speakers and leaders often highlighted their accomplishments to gain followers. Paul acknowledges this cultural practice but uses it to contrast the superficial boasting of the false apostles with his own boasting, which is rooted in his weaknesses and sufferings for Christ.

according to the flesh
The phrase "according to the flesh" refers to human standards and worldly values. The Greek word for "flesh" is "σάρξ" (sarx), which can denote the physical body or, metaphorically, human nature apart from divine influence. In this context, it implies boasting based on external, worldly criteria such as lineage, education, or achievements. Paul criticizes this kind of boasting because it focuses on human effort rather than divine grace. From a scriptural perspective, boasting "according to the flesh" is contrary to the teachings of Christ, who emphasized humility and reliance on God's power.

I too will boast
Paul's statement "I too will boast" is both ironic and strategic. He uses the same Greek word "καυχάομαι" (kauchaomai) to indicate that he will engage in boasting, but his boasting will be of a different nature. Paul intends to boast about his weaknesses and sufferings, which highlight God's strength and grace in his life. This approach subverts the typical understanding of boasting and redirects the focus from human achievements to God's work through human frailty. Historically, this was a radical departure from the norms of his time, emphasizing the Christian principle that true strength is found in dependence on God rather than self-reliance.

(18) Seeing that many glory after the flesh.--To glory, or boast, after the flesh, as interpreted by 2Corinthians 5:16 (where see Note), is to lay stress on things which are the accidents of the spiritual life, not of its true essence--on descent, prerogatives, rank, reputation, and the like. There is a touch half of irony, half of impatience, in the way in which the Apostle says that he too will for once descend to their level and do as they do.

Verse 18. - After the flesh (see note 2 Corinthians 10:3; comp. Philippians 3:4). I will glory also. But, as Robertson admirably observes, he "does not glory in what he has done, but in what he has borne."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Since
ἐπεὶ (epei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1893: Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since.

many
πολλοὶ (polloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

are boasting
καυχῶνται (kauchōntai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2744: To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt.

according to
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

flesh,
σάρκα (sarka)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.

I too
κἀγὼ (kagō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2504: To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.

will boast.
καυχήσομαι (kauchēsomai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2744: To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 11:18 Seeing that many boast after the flesh (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 11:17
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