2 Corinthians 11:22
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Original Language Analysis
κἀγώ
so am I
G2504
κἀγώ
so am I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
3 of 10
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
Ἰσραηλῖταί
Israelites
G2475
Ἰσραηλῖταί
Israelites
Strong's:
G2475
Word #:
4 of 10
an "israelite", i.e., descendant of israel (literally or figuratively)
κἀγώ
so am I
G2504
κἀγώ
so am I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
6 of 10
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
Cross References
Philippians 3:5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;Romans 11:1I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.Romans 9:4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;Acts 22:3I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.Exodus 7:16And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.Exodus 9:13And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.Exodus 9:1Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.Exodus 10:3And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.2 Chronicles 20:7Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
Historical Context
The Judaizing controversy plagued early Christianity (cf. Galatians, Acts 15). Jewish Christians sometimes claimed superiority over Gentile believers. The false apostles in Corinth likely emphasized their Jewish credentials as evidence of apostolic authority superior to Paul's. Paul must assert equality in heritage before showing the irrelevance of such boasting.
Questions for Reflection
- How do people today boast of religious heritage, denominational pedigree, or theological lineage in ways that miss the point of gospel ministry?
- Why might Paul temporarily engage in 'fleshly' boasting about credentials he elsewhere calls worthless—what strategic purpose does this serve?
- In what ways do we cling to spiritual credentials (family background, church tradition, theological education) that are valuable but not ultimate?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. The rapid-fire threefold claim establishes Paul's Jewish credentials matching the 'super-apostles.' Hebraioi (Ἑβραῖοι, 'Hebrews')—pure Jewish heritage, likely Aramaic-speaking. Israēlitai (Ἰσραηλῖται, 'Israelites')—members of the covenant people. Sperma Abraam (σπέρμα Ἀβραάμ, 'seed of Abraham')—heirs of the promise.
The triple repetition kagō (κἀγώ, 'I also') matches their claim for claim. Paul could boast in fleshly credentials if needed (Phil 3:4-6)—circumcised the eighth day, tribe of Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrews, Pharisee. The false apostles apparently used Jewish pedigree to claim superiority; Paul neutralizes this by asserting equal heritage before moving beyond it.
Yet Paul elsewhere counts these credentials as skybala (σκύβαλα, 'rubbish,' Phil 3:8) compared to knowing Christ. Here he temporarily enters the fleshly boasting arena only to transcend it. If Jewish heritage matters to you, I have it. But watch what I boast of next—not racial privilege but suffering service.