2 Corinthians 11:24-27

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 11:24

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:24

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one - That is, he was five times scourged by the Jews, whose law ( Deuteronomy 25:3 ;) allowed forty stripes; but they, pretending to be lenient, and to act within the letter of the law, inflicted but thirty-nine. To except one stripe from the forty was a very ancient canon among the Jews, as we learn from Josephus, Antiq. lib. iv. ch. viii. sec. 21, who mentions the same thing: πληγας μιας λειπουσης τεσσαπακοντα· forty stripes,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:25

Thrice was I beaten with rods - This was under the Roman government, as their lictors beat criminals in this way. We hear of the apostle's being treated thus once, namely at Philippi, Acts 16:22 . See Section 9 of the Introduction. Once was I stoned - Namely, at Lystra, Acts 14:19 , etc. A night and a day I have been in the deep - To what this refers we cannot tell; it is generally supposed that in some shipwreck not on record the apostle had saved himself on a plank, and was a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:26

In journeyings often - He means the particular journeys which he took to different places, for the purpose of propagating the Gospel. In perils of waters - Exposed to great dangers in crossing rivers; for of rivers the original, ποταμων , must be understood. Of robbers - Judea itself, and perhaps every other country, was grievously infested by banditti of this kind; and no doubt the apostle in his frequent peregrinations was often attacked, but, being poor and having nothing to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:27

In weariness and painfulness - Tribulations of this kind were his constant companions. Lord Lyttleton and others have made useful reflections on this verse: "How hard was it for a man of a genteel and liberal education, as St. Paul was, to bear such rigours, and to wander about like a vagabond, hungry and almost naked, yet coming into the presence of persons of high life, and speaking in large and various assemblies on matters of the utmost importance!" Had not St. Paul been deeply convinced... read more

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