2 Corinthians 11:5
New International Version
I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”

New Living Translation
But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things.

English Standard Version
Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.

Berean Standard Bible
I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”

Berean Literal Bible
For I reckon in nothing to have been inferior to those "most eminent apostles."

King James Bible
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

New King James Version
For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.

New American Standard Bible
For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.

NASB 1995
For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.

NASB 1977
For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.

Legacy Standard Bible
For I consider myself in no way inferior to the most-eminent apostles.

Amplified Bible
Yet I consider myself in no way inferior to the [so-called] super-apostles.

Christian Standard Bible
Now I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the “super-apostles.”

American Standard Version
For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

Contemporary English Version
I think I am as good as any of those super apostles.

English Revised Version
For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I don't think I'm inferior in any way to your super-apostles.

Good News Translation
I do not think that I am the least bit inferior to those very special so-called "apostles" of yours!

International Standard Version
I do not think I'm inferior in any way to those "super-apostles."

Majority Standard Bible
I consider myself in no way inferior to those ?super-apostles.?

NET Bible
For I consider myself not at all inferior to those "super-apostles."

New Heart English Bible
For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.

Webster's Bible Translation
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very greatest apostles.

Weymouth New Testament
Why, I reckon myself in no respect inferior to those superlatively great Apostles.

World English Bible
For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for I reckon that I have been nothing behind the very chiefest apostles,

Berean Literal Bible
For I reckon in nothing to have been inferior to those "most eminent apostles."

Young's Literal Translation
for I reckon that I have been nothing behind the very chiefest apostles,

Smith's Literal Translation
For I reckon myself to be nothing greatly inferior to the sent.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I suppose that I have done nothing less than the great apostles.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I consider that I have done nothing less than the great Apostles.

New American Bible
For I think that I am not in any way inferior to these “superapostles.”

New Revised Standard Version
I think that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For I think that I am not in the least inferior to the most distinguished apostles.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For I think that I have not come short in anything compared to those Apostles who greatly excel.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I count myself indeed to be in no respect inferior to the very greatest of the apostles.

Godbey New Testament
For I consider that I am not inferior to the chief of the apostles.

Haweis New Testament
For I reckon myself to be nothing inferior to the very chief of the apostles.

Mace New Testament
for I think I am not at all inferior to the chiefest of the apostles.

Weymouth New Testament
Why, I reckon myself in no respect inferior to those superlatively great Apostles.

Worrell New Testament
For I reckon that I am in no respect behind the most eminent apostles.

Worsley New Testament
For I think I was not inferior to the very chiefest apostles: and if I am unskilled in speech,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul and the False Apostles
4For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily. 5 I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

1 Corinthians 9:1-2
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? / Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Galatians 2:6-9
But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—those leaders added nothing to me. / On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. / For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. ...

Philippians 3:4-6
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; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.

Acts 9:15
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

1 Corinthians 3:5-9
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. / I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ...

1 Corinthians 4:9-13
For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men. / We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. / To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. ...

1 Corinthians 12:11
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.

Ephesians 3:7-8
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. / Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Romans 11:13
I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry

1 Timothy 2:7
For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.

Acts 26:16-18
‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you. / I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them / to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

1 Corinthians 1:1
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

1 Corinthians 2:4-5
My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, / so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.


Treasury of Scripture

For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very most chief apostles.

I was not.

2 Corinthians 12:11,12
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing…

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Galatians 2:6-9
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: …

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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.














I consider myself
The phrase "I consider myself" reflects Paul's introspective and confident self-assessment. The Greek word used here, "logizomai," implies a thoughtful and reasoned conclusion. Paul is not boasting out of pride but is making a deliberate evaluation of his own ministry and calling. This introspection is rooted in his deep understanding of his apostolic mission, which was divinely appointed by Christ Himself on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6). It serves as a reminder for believers to assess their own spiritual walk with humility and confidence in God's calling.

in no way inferior
The phrase "in no way inferior" is a strong assertion of equality. The Greek word "hystereo" means to fall short or to be lacking. Paul is emphasizing that he lacks nothing in comparison to others who claim to be apostles. Historically, Paul faced criticism and opposition from those who questioned his authority and credentials. This statement is a defense of his apostolic authority, which was often challenged by false teachers and those who sought to undermine his work. It encourages believers to stand firm in their God-given roles and not to be swayed by external judgments.

to those 'super-apostles.'
The term "super-apostles" is a somewhat sarcastic reference to individuals who presented themselves as superior to Paul and other apostles. The Greek term "hyperlian apostolon" suggests an exaggerated self-importance. These individuals likely boasted of their rhetorical skills, spiritual experiences, or Jewish heritage to assert their superiority. Paul's use of this term highlights the danger of pride and self-exaltation in ministry. It serves as a caution against valuing human credentials over divine calling and reminds believers that true apostolic authority comes from Christ alone, not from human accolades or achievements.

(5) For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.--The verb with which the sentence opens is the same as the "I think," "I reckon," which characterises these chapters, and which, being characteristic, ought to be retained. I reckon I have not fallen short of those apostles-extraordinary. The whole tone of the passage ought to have made it impossible for any commentator to imagine that the words referred to Peter and James and John as the pillars of the Church of Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9). Of them he speaks, even in his boldest moments, with respect, even where respect is mingled with reproof. He is glad to remember how they gave to him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. He presents himself at Jerusalem a few months after writing these words, and almost submissively follows the counsel which James gives him (Acts 21:26). It is, accordingly, simply the insanity of controversy to imagine that these words have any bearing on the question of the primacy of St. Peter. Those whom he holds up to scorn with an almost withering irony, as "apostles-extraordinary" (he coins a word which literally means, "these extra-special or over-extra apostles"), are the false teachers, claiming to stand in a special relation to Christ, to be His Apostles--perhaps, also, to have a double title to the name, as delegates of the Church of Jerusalem. Of these he speaks more fully in 2Corinthians 11:13.

Verse 5. - For. It cannot be that you received this rival teacher as being so much superior to me; for, etc. I suppose. Again, like the Latin censeo or opinor, with a touch of irony. I was not a whit behind; in no respect have I come short of. The very chiefest apostles. The word used by St. Paul for "very chiefest" is one which, in its strangeness, marks the vehemence of his emotion. It involves an indignant sense that he had been most disparagingly compared with other apostles, as though he were hardly a genuine apostle at all. Yet he reckons himself to have done as much as the "above exceedingly" - or, as it might be expressed, the "out and out," "extra-super," or "super-apostolic," apostles. There is here no reflection whatever on the twelve; he merely means that, even if any with whom he was uufavourably contrasted were "apostles ten times over," he can claim to be in the front rank with them. This is no more than he has said with the utmost earnestness in 1 Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 2:6. There is no self-assertion here; but, in consequence of the evil done by his detractors, St. Paul, with an utter sense of distaste, is forced to say the simple truth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I consider myself
Λογίζομαι (Logizomai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3049: To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose.

in no way
μηδὲν (mēden)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

inferior
ὑστερηκέναι (hysterēkenai)
Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active
Strong's 5302: From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.

to those
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

“super-apostles.”
Ὑπερλίαν (Hyperlian)
Adverb
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I reckon that I am not (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
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