Verse Lens · Concise explanation
2 Corinthians 11:1 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 1. 1Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse asks Corinth to bear with a little foolishness as Paul begins ironic comparison.
A reluctant fool's speech is about another Jesus, not about owning a bride.
This verse is one part of that explanation in 2 Corinthians 11:1–6. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 2 Corinthians 11:1–6
Read 2 Corinthians 11:1 with 11:1–6. This verse asks Corinth to bear with a little foolishness as Paul begins ironic comparison. The complete unit establishes this movement: Paul reluctantly adopts foolish comparison because he fears Corinth will tolerate another Jesus, spirit, and gospel; his founder's jealousy uses betrothal imagery, while he admits untrained speech but claims disclosed knowledge.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The unit states what is at stake before the financial and suffering contrasts of the fool's speech. Within that movement, this verse asks Corinth to bear with a little foolishness as Paul begins ironic comparison.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my”
In plain language: The speech is framed as a reluctant parody rather than normal self-promotion.
asks Corinth to bear with a little foolishness as Paul begins ironic comparison. The speech is framed as a reluctant parody rather than normal self-promotion.
Why it matters: The wording identifies this verse's distinct contribution to the complete unit.
How certain? strongWhat Remains True
The speech is framed as a reluctant parody rather than normal self-promotion.
How It Can Shape Life
- Identify irony before imitating its surface form.
Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 2 Corinthians 11:1–6 — A Foolish Appeal Guards Fidelity to the Jesus Paul ProclaimedSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Corinthians 11:1–6, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 2Co.txt, 11:1–6
Open the 2 Corinthians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - 2 Corinthians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 2 Corinthians chapter print views, 11:1–6, including attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open NET 2 Corinthians 11 notes