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2Co_11:16. I repeat it: let no one hold me for irrational; but if not, receive me at least as one irrational (do not reject me), in order that I too (like my opponents) may boast a little. Thus Paul, after having ended the outpouring of his heart begun in 2Co_11:7 regarding his gratuitous labours, and after the warning characterization of his opponents thereby occasioned (2Co_11:13-15), now turns back to what he had said in 2Co_11:1, in order to begin a new self-comparison with his enemies, which he, however, merely introduces—and that once more with irony, at first calm, then growing bitter—down to 2Co_11:21, and only really begins with ἐν ᾧ δʼ ἄν τις τολμᾷ κ . τ . λ . at 2Co_11:21.
That, which is by πάλιν λέγω designated as already said once (2Co_11:1), is μή τίς με δόξῃ ἄφρ . εἶναι and εἰ δὲ μή γε … καυχήσωμαι , both together, not the latter alone (Hofmann). The former, namely, lay implicite in the ironical character of 2Co_11:1, and the latter explicite in the words of that vers.
εἰ δὲ μή γε ] sed nisi quidem. Regarding the legitimacy of the γε in Greek (Plato, Pol. iv. p. 425 E), see Bremi, ad Aesch. de fals. leg. 47; Klotz, ad Devar. p. 527; Dindorf, ad Dem. I. p. v. f. praef. After negative clauses εἰ δὲ μή follows even in classical writers (Thuc. i. 28. 1, 131. 1; Xen. Anab. iv. 3. 6, vii. 1. 8), although we should expect εἰ δέ . But εἰ δὲ μή presupposes in the author the conception of a positive form of what is negatively expressed. Here something like this: I wish that no one should hold me as foolish; if, however, you do not grant what I wish, etc. See in general, Heindorf, ad Plat. Parm. p. 208; Buttmann, ad Plat. Crit. p. 106; Hartung, Partik. II. p. 213; and in reference to the N. T., Fritzsche, ad Matth. p. 254 f.
κἄν ] certe, is to be explained elliptically: δέξασθέ με , καὶ ἐὰν ὡς ἄφρονα δέξησθέ με . Comp. Mar_6:56; Act_5:15. See Wüstemann, ad Theocr. xxiii. 35; Jacobs, ad Anthol. XI. 16; Winer, p. 543 [E. T. 729].
ὡς ἄφρονα ] in the quality of one irrational, as people give an indulgent hearing to such a on.
μικρόν τι ] accusative as in 2Co_11:1 : aliquantulum, may deal in a little bit of boasting.