I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 16. and so forth Otherwise take me as one foolish. Saint Paul divers times excuses himself for mentioning things in his own commendation: he owns that this in itself, and unless it were necessary, might be blamed as folly, that it would not be according to God, but he declares himself forced by them to it, and that he will speak nothing but the truth. See chapter 12 verse 6. 11. He tells them that they bear with others that are foolish, even with those false preachers that endeavour to bring them into slavery by their domineering carriage, by making them perhaps subject to the yoke of the Mosaical law. Who devour them, that is, their goods and substance, who take from them, who in a manner strike them on the face, (verse 20) he means a metaphorical striking them, that is, by imperious ways, and insolent language. Witham.