Note 5 at 2 Cor. 11:21: The NIV translates the first sentence of this verse as, "To my shame, I admit we were too weak for that!" This would imply that Paul is speaking sarcastically that he had been too nice to the Corinthians. If he had treated them shamefully, as described in the previous verse, they would have put up with him. But his treatment of them in unselfish love had been refused. He was saying these things to make their hypocrisy evident to them.