The words I have been a fool translate a Greek verb which indicates that he continues to be a fool. Paul is referring to what he has just said in the preceding paragraphs, for to boast has he has been doing is the mark of a fool. As indicated in verse 6 above, it may be better to say “I have been acting like a fool…” as in Good News Translation.

You forced me to it: the subject pronoun is emphatic here. The idea is “you are the ones who made me [act like a fool].” One dynamic-equivalent rendering of this is “but it is your fault.”

I ought to have been commended by you: since the agent is identified in the text, this passive construction can easily be made active as “you are the people who should have commended me.” On the verb commend, note that this should reflect the expressions used in the discussion about needing “letters of recommendation” and “commending oneself,” as in 3.1; 4.2; and elsewhere.

I was not at all inferior translates a verb in the past tense. In light of verse 12 Paul is probably referring to the time when he was in Corinth and performed miracles and other signs (so Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Some interpreters, however, understand the past tense verb to be a “timeless” past tense and translate with the present tense, as in Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, Bible en français courant, and New American Bible: “I am in no way inferior.”

These superlative apostles: see the comments on 11.5. The Greek is literally “the superlative apostles.” The context indicates that these “superlative apostles” were recognized as apostles with authority by at least some of the Corinthians. For that reason Good News Translation adds the words “of yours.”

Even though I am nothing: as frequently in chapters 10–13, Paul speaks with sarcasm here in claiming to be nothing. The “superapostles” who oppose Paul consider him to be “nothing.” “True,” Paul says sarcastically, “but I am not inferior to 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 .