(The Lord speaking is red text)
Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one.
Five times I received “forty lashes less one” from the Jews.
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Of{G5259} the Jews{G2453} five times{G3999} received I{G2983} forty{G5062} stripes save{G3844} one{G3391}.
2 Corinthians 11:24 is a verse where the Apostle Paul is recounting his sufferings as part of his defense of his apostolic authority to the church in Corinth. In this particular verse, Paul speaks of receiving the punishment of forty lashes, or "stripes," on five separate occasions from the Jewish authorities. The historical context of this punishment is rooted in the Jewish legal system, which was based on the Torah, where flogging was a common penalty for various offenses, though limited to a maximum of forty lashes to avoid excessive cruelty (Deuteronomy 25:3). Paul, being a Jewish Pharisee before his conversion to Christianity, was often at odds with Jewish leaders after he began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. The phrase "save one" suggests that although the law allowed for forty lashes, the Jews would typically administer only thirty-nine to ensure they did not mistakenly exceed the legal limit and thus incur the severer penalty themselves.
The themes present in this verse include the persecution faced by early Christians, the legitimacy of Paul's apostolic ministry, and the extent to which Paul was willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. His willingness to endure such severe punishment demonstrates his commitment, resilience, and the authenticity of his calling as an apostle. It also serves as a testimony to the truth of the message he preached—that salvation is found in Jesus Christ—a message he proclaimed despite great personal cost. This verse underscores the broader New Testament theme that faith in Christ often leads to suffering, but that such suffering is a participation in the sufferings of Christ and a means of advancing the gospel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)