inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (2Cor. 11:21)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, translators typically select the exclusive form (excluding the addressee).

Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.

complete verse (2 Corinthians 11:21)

Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Corinthians 11:21:

  • Uma: “Do you say/think I should be ashamed, because we (excl.) don’t/didn’t dare follow the actions of those high-hearted people there [where you are]? But if they dare to praise themselves, I also will have to embolden myself to praise myself. (Remember-e’ [sharp, ‘listen up!’ enclitic], I am speaking like a stupid person here.)” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “I confess that it is true that we (excl.) are not like those people because we (excl.) are cowards to do bad to you. But if they dare to boast, I dare it too. Remember, these my words are as if I am stupid/bad/a fool.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “They are very brave; however, as for us, we are cowards and I’m ashamed because their works to you that you thought mistakenly were very good, we did not do this to you. And since they are not afraid to boast, I also will not be afraid to boast, even though I may be like a stupid person.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Admittedly extreme indeed is my embarrassment to confess that I lack courage to do that to you. But concerning their courage to boast-about themselves–here I am speaking like a foolish person–I will defeat them.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But as for me, I am really ashamed because I didn’t treat you like that when I went there! What a pity for I was just kind/good, not bold/angry like them! But, whatever they can boast of, I too can boast of. (Really these words of mine, they are like the words of a fool.)” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But as for me, my heart cannot do to you like those do to you. Is it a shameful thing I am doing in not hurting you like they do? These teachers tell all about what they do, bragging. I also am able to tell about myself, even though it is said that I have lost my mind because I am bragging.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:21

The first sentence in this verse is strongly sarcastic. Paul means the opposite of what he says.

To my shame is literally “according to shame I speak,” without any possessive pronoun. Possibly he means to the shame of the Corinthians (so New Jerusalem Bible, “I say it to your shame”), but most likely he means to his own shame (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New American Bible); this interpretation retains the sarcasm.

For that: Good News Translation makes the meaning clearer by saying “to do those things,” clearly referring to the series of negative actions described in the previous verse.

The pronoun any one refers specifically to Paul’s opponents in Corinth. But, as in the previous verse, it may be better translated by a plural. See also 10.7. The structure here is a kind of comparison where Paul is comparing himself with any one who may be so bold as to boast. In some languages the idea “whatever someone else dares … I also dare” may have to be shifted to say “what others boast of … I also boast.” And note that the parenthetic I am speaking as a fool may have to be shifted to the end of the verse or to a position much earlier rather than breaking up the comparison.

The words between dashes in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation may be more easily understood if enclosed in parentheses in the receptor language. Or in some cases this sentence can be placed at the end of this verse without using parentheses. This in fact is what Contemporary English Version has done by concluding “but it is a foolish thing to do.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .