The term superlative apostles may be a straightforward description of Paul’s enemies, but given the use of irony in this part of 2 Corinthians, Paul’s language is no doubt to be understood as irony. He does not really consider them to be superapostles (see 11.12; 12.11). Good News Translation captures the note of irony with the words “so-called ‘apostles’ of yours” (see also the use of quotation marks in New International Version: “those ‘superapostles’ ”). In some languages there are special particles that express the sense of irony. A literal translation of the words superlative apostles may distort Paul’s intended criticism. The identity of these superapostles is much debated, and fortunately one’s translation does not depend on the answer that one gives. Translators may need to identify these words as irony by a footnote, as Williams does (“cutting sarcasm”), in order to make clear that Paul does not really regard these persons as superapostles. In those languages where the irony will be misunderstood, it may be necessary to state more directly that these people were “those who pretend to be apostles.”
These superlative apostles is literally “the superapostles.” The Greek term for superlative means “outstanding, extra-special.” Almost certainly Paul is referring to the people who have preached a different gospel in Corinth from that which he preached (verse 4). Revised Standard Version says these superlative apostles to indicate that Paul is not introducing a new group but is rather referring to the group mentioned in verse 4. Similarly Good News Translation and Bible en français courant indicate that the superapostles were accepted in the Corinthian church: “of yours.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy makes explicit that these superapostles “came after” Paul to the church in Corinth: “I am not inferior to those superapostles who came later.”
Some languages have attempted to get at the meaning by translating “I think that those people you call ‘the big apostles’ are not really bigger than I am at all” and “I don’t think that your special ‘apostles’ do any better work than I do!”
On the translation of the word for apostle, see 1.1. In languages where an expression like “one sent from God” is used, it may be necessary to indicate that Paul did not consider them necessarily sent from God, by saying “those big men who think they have been sent by God” or “… who claim that God has sent them.”
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 .