2 Corinthians 11:16

καυχήσωμαι (אBFGM) rather than καυχήσομαι (DKLP).

16. Πάλιν λέγω, μή τις με δόξῃ ἄφρονα εἶναι. As in 2 Corinthians 11:1, he admits that all this glorying may be stigmatized as folly. But it is not folly of his own choosing; he would gladly have left it alone. Therefore, he here makes two alternative requests; not to think him foolish, because he utters what is folly; or, if that is impossible, not to refuse to attend to him, because they think him foolish. It is for their attention that he cares: ‘Think me a fool, if you must; but listen to me.’ Four Greek words are sometimes rendered ‘fool’ in the A.V.; ἄφρων (2 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Corinthians 12:6; 2 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Corinthians 15:36; Romans 2:20; Ephesians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:15; Luke 11:40; Luke 12:20); μωρός (1 Corinthians 1:25; 1 Corinthians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 4:10; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9; Matthew 5:22; &c.); ἀνόητος (Romans 1:14; Galatians 3:1; Galatians 3:3; 1 Timothy 6:9; Titus 3:3; Luke 24:25); ἄσοφος (Ephesians 5:15).

εἰ δὲ μήγε. This is stronger than εἰ δὲ μή (Mark 2:21-22) and follows both negative (Matthew 9:17; Luke 14:32) and affirmative sentences (Matthew 6:1; Luke 10:6; Luke 13:9). It is found in Plato (Rep. IV. 425 E). Blass § 77. 4.

κἂν ὡς ἄφρονα δέξασθέ με. Elliptical for καὶ ἐὰν ὡς ἄφρονα δέξησθέ με, δέξασθέ με. Comp. Mark 6:56; Acts 5:15. ‘People don’t give much attention to one whom they regard as a fool; but at least give me that much.’ Winer, p. 730.

ἵνα κἀγὼ μικρόν τι καυχήσωμαι. That I also may glory a little. See critical note. Almost everywhere κἀγώ, not καὶ ἐγώ, is the right reading. Luke 2:48; Luke 16:9; Acts 10:26 are exceptions (Gregory, Prolegomena p. 96). The καί reminds them that he did not begin; he is answering fools according to their folly. And the μικρόν τι (2 Corinthians 11:1) implies that his critics have gloried a good deal. Possibly μικρόν τι καυχᾶσθαι was one of their phrases.