2 Corinthians 11:16
“I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.”
What does 2 Corinthians 11:16 mean?
Paul is asking his readers to give him space to talk about his own experiences and accomplishments, which he's about to do in the verses ahead. He knows it might sound odd or even self-centered to boast about himself, so he's being honest upfront: if it seems foolish to you, so be it, but please listen anyway. This is actually a clever rhetorical move, where Paul acknowledges how uncomfortable self-promotion can feel while also insisting that what he's about to share really matters for his community to hear. He's building trust by being real about the awkwardness rather than pretending it doesn't exist. It's a reminder that sometimes people need permission to talk about their struggles or their story, and that honest vulnerability can actually make people more willing to listen.