Paul is speaking with a bit of irony or sarcasm as he states that he and his co-workers would not dare to consider themselves as equals to those who commend themselves. Paul is referring, of course, to his opponents in Corinth.

Venture: the same verb is used in verse 2 above and translated “showing,” but implies showing boldness. Here, however, the context is slightly different. This verb is also found in Rom 5.7 and 15.18. The idea is to “dare” (New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version) or “to be so bold as to” (compare New American Bible).

To class or compare ourselves: the two words used here are very similar in form and meaning. They form a kind of play on words in Greek. One commentator suggests the English words “to pair and compare” as similar. But it will probably be impossible to reflect the original wordplay in most languages. Languages have different ways of talking about sorting things into groups or classes. Some speak of putting things (or people) in the same row or line, while others may use another image such as “the same basket” or “the same bag.”

Who commend themselves: this is the same expression used frequently throughout this letter. See comments at 3.1; 4.2; 5.12; 6.4; and 7.11.

But: the conjunction here introduces and underlines the contrast with those who “commend themselves.” Anchor Bible has “indeed.” Paul now begins to speak directly and harshly, no longer with sarcasm.

Measure … compare: the first verb here is the usual one for measuring anything. The second is the same as the verb translated similarly above. Paul’s enemies are themselves their own standard of measurement. The idea of compare is expressed in some languages as “look at along side of” or “examine together with.”

Some manuscripts do not have the last two words of this verse (they are without understanding) and the first two words of verse 13 (But we). The editors of the UBS Greek New Testament explain the absence of these words in a few manuscripts as the result of an accidental omission. Nearly all translations agree in retaining these words, though a few (Moffatt) follow those manuscripts that omit them. Some other ways of expressing they are without understanding are as follows: “they lack knowledge,” “their discernment fails,” or “they need insight from others.”

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 .