12:1 It is necessary to go on boasting. 6 Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
11:16 I say again, let no one think that I am a fool. 22 But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
1 tn The traditional translation (“let the one who boasts boast in the Lord”) can be understood as merely permissive by the English reader, but the Greek verb καυχάσθω (kaucasqw) is a third person imperative.
2 sn Many is a reference to Paul’s opponents.
3 tn Grk “according to the flesh.”
3 tn Grk “If boasting is necessary.”
4 tn Or “about the things related to my weakness.”
4 tn Grk “Boasting is necessary.”
5 tn The present tense of συνιστάνομεν (sunistanomen) has been translated as a conative present.
6 tn Or “to boast about us.”
7 tn Or “who boast.”
8 tn Or “in what is seen.”
6 tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
7 tn Grk “concerning which I keep boasting to the Macedonians about you.” A new sentence was started here and the translation was simplified by removing the relative clause and repeating the antecedent “this eagerness of yours.”
8 tn The words “to give” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
9 tn The words “to participate” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
10 sn Most of them is a reference to the Macedonians (cf. v. 4).
7 tn The word “us” is not in the Greek text but is supplied. Indirect objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, and must be supplied for the modern English reader.
8 tn Grk “I will not be put to shame,” “I will not be ashamed.” The words “of doing so” are supplied to clarify for the reader that Paul will not be ashamed of boasting somewhat more about the authority the Lord gave him (beginning of v. 8).
8 tn Or “boast excessively.” The phrase εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα (ei" ta ametra) is an idiom; literally it means “into that which is not measured,” that is, a point on a scale that goes beyond what might be expected (L&N 78.27).
9 tn The words “will confine our boasting” are not in the Greek text, but the reference to boasting must be repeated from the previous clause to clarify for the modern reader what is being limited.
10 tn Grk “according to the measure of the rule which God has apportioned to us as a measure”; for the translation used in the text see L&N 37.100.
9 tn Grk “an opportunity, so that they may be found just like us.”
10 tn Or “am foolish.”
11 tn Grk “I have not been put to shame”; the words “by you” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
12 tn Grk “just as we spoke everything to you in truth.”
13 tn The words “about you” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
12 tn Or “boast excessively.” The phrase εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα (ei" ta ametra) is an idiom; literally it means “into that which is not measured,” that is, a point on a scale that goes beyond what might be expected (L&N 78.27).
13 tn Or “in the labors.”
14 tn Grk “but we have the hope.”
15 tn Or “greatly enlarged.”
16 tn That is, Paul’s work might be greatly expanded within the area of activity assigned to him by God.
13 tn Or “speaking.”
14 tn Or “may think of.”
14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” because of the contrast implicit in the context.
15 tn Or “is sufficient.”
16 tc The majority of later
17 tn Or “my power comes to full strength.”
18 tn “Most gladly,” a comparative form used with superlative meaning and translated as such.
19 tn Or “may rest on.”