2 Corinthians 5:12

5:12 We are not trying to commend ¹  ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, ²  so that you may be able to answer those who take pride ³  in outward appearance ⁴  and not in what is in the heart.

2 Corinthians 9:2

9:2 because I know your eagerness to help. ⁵  I keep boasting to the Macedonians about this eagerness of yours, ⁶  that Achaia has been ready to give ⁷  since last year, and your zeal to participate ⁸  has stirred up most of them. ⁹ 

2 Corinthians 10:8

10:8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us ¹⁰  for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. ¹¹ 

2 Corinthians 10:13

10:13 But we will not boast beyond certain limits, ¹²  but will confine our boasting ¹³  according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, ¹⁴  that reaches even as far as you.

2 Corinthians 11:12

11:12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a chance to be regarded as our equals ¹⁵  in the things they boast about.

2 Corinthians 11:16

Paul’s Sufferings for Christ

11:16 I say again, let no one think that I am a fool. ¹⁶  But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

¹ tn The present tense of συνιστάνομεν (sunistanomen) has been translated as a conative present.

² tn Or “to boast about us.”

³ tn Or “who boast.”

⁴ tn Or “in what is seen.”

⁵ tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied.

⁶ 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.”

⁷ tn The words “to give” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.

⁸ tn The words “to participate” are not in the Greek text but are implied.

⁹ sn Most of them is a reference to the Macedonians (cf. v. 4).

⁹ 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.

¹⁰ 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).

¹³ 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).

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ 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.

¹⁷ tn Grk “an opportunity, so that they may be found just like us.”

²¹ tn Or “am foolish.”