2 Corinthians 11:21-31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:16-21

Here we have a further excuse that the apostle makes for what he was about to say in his own vindication. 1. He would not have them think he was guilty of folly, in saying what he said to vindicate himself: Let no man think me a fool, 2 Cor. 11:16. Ordinarily, indeed, it is unbecoming a wise man to be much and often speaking in his own praise. Boasting of ourselves is usually not only a sign of a proud mind, but a mark of folly also. However, says the apostle, yet as a fool receive me; that... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:22-33

Here the apostle gives a large account of his own qualifications, labours, and sufferings (not out of pride or vain-glory, but to the honour of God, who had enabled him to do and suffer so much for the cause of Christ), and wherein he excelled the false apostles, who would lessen his character and usefulness among the Corinthians. Observe, I. He mentions the privileges of his birth (2 Cor. 11:22), which were equal to any they could pretend to. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews; of a family among... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

11:16-33 Again I say, let no one think me a fool. But, even if you do, bear with me, even if it is as a fool that you do bear with me, so that I too may boast a little. I am not saying what I am saying as if talk like this was inspired by the Lord, but I am talking with boastful confidence as in foolishness. Since many boast about their human qualifications I too will boast, for you--because you are sensible people--suffer fools gladly. I know that this is true because you suffer it if... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:21

I speak as concerning reproach ,.... These words may be considered either as explanative of the latter part of the former verse, "if a man smite you on the face"; that is not to be understood strictly and literally, of one man's striking another on the face, but of reproach and contumelious language, used by the false apostles to the Corinthians; or they may have reference to the apostle's design in the whole, which was partly to reproach, the Corinthians for acting such a stupid part, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:22

Are they Hebrews? so am I ,.... The nation of the Jews were called Hebrews, not from Abraham, as some have F23 Artapanus apud Euseb. praepar. l. 9. c. 18. p. 420. Ambrosius sive Hilarius in Phil. iii. 5. & alii. thought, through ignorance of the Hebrew language, which will by no means admit of such a derivation and etymology of the name; wherefore the Jewish writers never make mention of this opinion as among any of them; had they took their name from Abram or Abraham, they would... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:23

Are they ministers of Christ ?.... The apostle could have answered to this question that they were not, being neither sent by Christ, nor preachers of him, and who sought their own things and not his, being false apostles, and deceitful workers; but he chose not to litigate this point with them, and by a rhetorical concession allows it; and replies, I speak as a fool ; that is, he might be thought to speak as such an one, for what he afterwards says; and if he was, he must be content, he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:24

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. We have no account in the Acts of the Apostles, or elsewhere, of any one of these five scourgings, which the apostle underwent from the Jews; but there is no doubt to be made of them. The number of stripes he received at each time agrees with the traditions and customs of the Jews. The original law for scourging a delinquent is in Deuteronomy 25:2 where it is said, "forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed"; according to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:25

Thrice was I beaten with rods ,.... Or "wands", by the Romans; for this was a Roman punishment, distinct from scourging with cords used by the Jews. There is mention made but of one time only that he was so beaten, elsewhere, and that is in Acts 16:22 which was at Philippi; but that he was so many times beaten in this way, there is no room to doubt: once was I stoned . This was at Lystra, at the instigation of the Jews that came from Antioch and Iconium, Acts 14:19 by whom he was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:26

In journeying often ,.... Through several countries and kingdoms to preach the Gospel, as he did from Jerusalem round about to Illyricum: in perils of waters ; by the floods being out, which made it very troublesome and dangerous travelling, especially to persons on foot, as was the case of our apostle: in perils of robbers ; for though he had seldom much to lose, yet was in danger of being ill used, and of his life being taken away by such ruffians: in perils by my own countrymen... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:27

In weariness and painfulness ,.... Through long journeys and frequent preaching; or "in labour and trouble"; or in troublesome labour, for all labour is not so; as hunting, hawking, &c.; though laborious, yet delightful; but the labours of the apostle were painful and troublesome to the flesh, though he had much inward spiritual delight and pleasure in them: in watchings often ; being sometimes engaged at midnight, either in preaching, or praying, or staging psalms, and sometimes... read more

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