2 Corinthians 11:17

“That which I speak, etc..] Meaning in vindication and commendation of himself, on this subject of glorying; or, as here expressed, in this confidence of boasting; for which he thought he had good ground and foundation to go upon, and therefore might express himself with the greatest assurance, (see <470904>2 Corinthians 9:4) this he declares he spoke not as from the Lord, but of himself: I speak it not after the Lord; or “Christ”, as some copies read; or “our Lord”, as the Syriac version; his sense is, that he did not then speak as an apostle, or one sent by Christ; he put off this character for the present, and took that of a fool upon him, that he might speak the more freely to the…”

“not after the Lord--By inspired guidance he excepts this "glorying" or "boasting" from the inspired authoritativeness which belongs to all else that he wrote; even this boasting, though undesirable in itself, was permitted by the Spirit, taking into account its aim, namely, to draw off the Corinthians from their false teachers to the apostle. Therefore this passage gives no proof that any portion of Scripture is uninspired. It merely guards against his boasting being made a justification of boasting in general, which is not ordinarily "after the Lord," that is, consistent with Christian humility. foolishly--Greek, "in foolishness." confidence of boasting-- (Co2 9:4).”

“That which I speak - In praise of myself. I speak it not after the Lord - see the note on 1 Corinthians 7:12. The phrase here may mean either, I do not speak this by inspiration or claiming to be inspired by the Lord; or more probably it may mean, I do not speak this imitating the example of the Lord Jesus or strictly as becomes his follower. He was eminently modest, and never vaunted or boasted. And Paul probably means to say, “I do not in this profess to follow him entirely. I admit that it is a departure from his pure example in this respect. But circumstances have compelled me and much as I would prefer another strain at remark, and sensible as I am in general of the folly of boasting,…”

“I speak not after the Lord - Not by an express command from him; though still under the direction of his Spirit. But as it were foolishly - In such a manner as many may think foolish. 2 Corinthians 11:18”

“I speak it: Co1 7:6, Co1 7:12 foolishly: Co2 11:18-27, Co2 9:4; Phi 3:3-6 2 Corinthians 11:18”