2 Corinthians 11:24

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Five times I received “forty lashes less one” from the Jews.

Berean Standard Bible:

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

American Standard Version:

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Of{G5259} the Jews{G2453} five times{G3999} received I{G2983} forty{G5062} stripes save{G3844} one{G3391}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Mark 13:9

  • But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Deuteronomy 25:2

  • And it shall be, if the wicked man [be] worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.

Deuteronomy 25:3

  • Forty stripes he may give him, [and] not exceed: lest, [if] he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

Matthew 10:17

  • But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

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Commentary for 2 Corinthians 11:24

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

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G5259
    There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑπό
    Transliteration: hypó
    Pronunciation: hoop-o'
    Description: a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
  2. Strong's Number: G2453
    There are 187 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰουδαῖος
    Transliteration: Ioudaîos
    Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah'-yos
    Description: from Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa.
  3. Strong's Number: G3999
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πεντάκις
    Transliteration: pentákis
    Pronunciation: pen-tak-ece'
    Description: multiplicative adverb from πέντε; five times:--five times.
  4. Strong's Number: G2983
    There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λαμβάνω
    Transliteration: lambánō
    Pronunciation: lam-ban'-o
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas δέχομαι is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while αἱρέομαι is more violent, to seize or remove)):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).
  5. Strong's Number: G5062
    There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τεσσαράκοντα
    Transliteration: tessarákonta
    Pronunciation: tes-sar-ak'-on-tah
    Description: the decade of τέσσαρες; forty:--forty.
  6. Strong's Number: G3844
    There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: παρά
    Transliteration: pará
    Pronunciation: par-ah'
    Description: a primary preposition; properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of):--above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side…by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.
  7. Strong's Number: G3391
    There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μία
    Transliteration: mía
    Pronunciation: mee'-ah
    Description: irregular feminine of εἷς; one or first:--a (certain), + agree, first, one, X other.