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Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11 verses 22–33
22 ¶ Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
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 (Co2 11:22), which were equal to any they could pretend to. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews; of a family among the Jews that never intermarried with the Gentiles. He was also an Israelite, and could boast of his being descended from the beloved Jacob as well as they, and was also of the seed of Abraham, and not of the proselytes. It should seem from this that the false apostles were of the Jewish race, who gave disturbance to the Gentile converts.
II. He makes mention also of his apostleship, that he was more than an ordinary minister of Christ, Co2 11:23. God had counted him faithful, and had put him into the ministry. He had been a useful minister of Christ unto them; they had found full proofs of his ministry: Are they ministers of Christ? I am more so.
III. He chiefly insists upon this, that he had been an extraordinary sufferer for Christ; and this was what he gloried in, or rather he gloried in the grace of God that had enabled him to be more abundant in labours, and to endure very great sufferings, such as stripes above measure, frequent imprisonments, and often the dangers of death, Co2 11:23. Note, When the apostle would prove himself an extraordinary minister, he proves that he had been an extraordinary sufferer. Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles, and for that reason was hated of the Jews. They did all they could against him; and among the Gentiles also he met with hard usage. Bonds and imprisonments were familiar to him; never was the most notorious malefactor more frequently in the hands of public justice than Paul was for righteousness' sake. The jail and the whipping-post, and all other hard usages of those who are accounted the worst of men, were what he was accustomed to. As to the Jews, whenever he fell into their hands, they never spared him. Five times he fell under their lash, and received forty stripes save one, Co2 11:24. Forty stripes was the utmost their law allowed (Deu 25:3), but it was usual with them, that they might not exceed, to abate one at least of that number. And to have the abatement of one only was all the favour that ever Paul received from them. The Gentiles were not tied up to that moderation, and among them he was thrice beaten with rods, of which we may suppose once was at Philippi, Act 16:22. Once he was stoned in a popular tumult, and was taken up for dead, Act 14:19. He says that thrice he suffered shipwreck; and we may believe him, though the sacred history gives a relation but of one. A night and a day he had been in the deep (Co2 11:25), in some deep dungeon or other, shut up as a prisoner. Thus he was all his days a constant confessor; perhaps scarcely a year of his life, after his conversion, passed without suffering some hardship or other for his religion; yet this was not all, for, wherever he went, he went in perils; he was exposed to perils of all sorts. If he journeyed by land, or voyaged by sea, he was in perils of robbers, or enemies of some sort; the Jews, his own countrymen, sought to kill him, or do him a mischief; the heathen, to whom he was sent, were not more kind to him, for among them he was in peril. If he was in the city, or in the wilderness, still he was in peril. He was in peril not only among avowed enemies, but among those also who called themselves brethren, but were false brethren, Co2 11:26. Besides all this, he had great weariness and painfulness in his ministerial labours, and these are things that will come into account shortly, and people will be reckoned with for all the care and pains of their ministers concerning them. Paul was a stranger to wealth and plenty, power and pleasure, preferment and ease; he was in watchings often, and exposed to hunger and thirst; in fastings often, it may be out of necessity; and endured cold and nakedness, Co2 11:27. Thus was he, who was one of the greatest blessings of the age, used as if he had been the burden of the earth, and the plague of his generation. And yet this is not all; for, as an apostle, the care of all the churches lay on him, Co2 11:28. He mentions this last, as if this lay the heaviest upon him, and as if he could better bear all the persecutions of his enemies than the scandals that were to be found in the churches he had the oversight of. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? Co2 11:29. There was not a weak Christian with whom he did not sympathize, nor any one scandalized, but he was affected therewith. See what little reason we have to be in love with the pomp and plenty of this world, when this blessed apostle, one of the best of men that ever lived, excepting Jesus Christ, felt so much hardship in it. Nor was he ashamed of all this, but, on the contrary, it was what he accounted his honour; and therefore, much against the grain as it was with him to glory, yet, says he, if I must needs glory, if my adversaries will oblige me to it in my own necessary vindication, I will glory in these my infirmities, Co2 11:30. Note, Sufferings for righteousness' sake will, the most of any thing, redound to our honour.
In the last two verses, he mentions one particular part of his sufferings out of its place, as if he had forgotten it before, or because the deliverance God wrought for him was most remarkable; namely, the danger he was in at Damascus, soon after he was converted, and not settled in Christianity, at least in the ministry and apostleship. This is recorded, Act 9:24, Act 9:25. This was his first great danger and difficulty, and the rest of his life was a piece with this. And it is observable that, lest it should be thought he spoke more than was true, the apostle confirms this narrative with a solemn oath, or appeal to the omniscience of God, Co2 11:31. It is a great comfort to a good man that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is an omniscient God, knows the truth of all he says, and knows all he does and all he suffers for his sake.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 22–33. Public domain.
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John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily 25 on 2 Corinthians
"Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one." Why, "save one?" There was an ancient law that he who had received more than the forty should be held disgraced amongst them. Lest then the vehemence and impetuosity of the executioner by inflicting more than the number should cause a man to be disgraced, they decreed that they should be inflicted, "save one," that even if the executioner should exceed, he might not overpass the forty, but remaining within the prescribed number might not bring degradation on him that was scourged.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
In 2 Corinthians 11:24, the Apostle Paul provides a stark and specific detail of the immense physical suffering he endured for the sake of the Gospel. This verse is a critical component of his "fool's speech," where he reluctantly boasts not in worldly achievements, but in his weaknesses and afflictions, thereby authenticating his apostolic ministry against the challenges posed by false apostles in Corinth. It highlights the brutal reality of his commitment to Christ and the profound opposition he faced, particularly from Jewish authorities.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul's account in 2 Corinthians 11:24, within the broader "fool's speech," masterfully employs several literary devices. The most prominent is Catalogue or Enumeration, as this verse is part of a longer list of sufferings (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). This detailed enumeration serves to overwhelm the reader with the sheer volume and severity of Paul's hardships, contrasting his authentic, suffering ministry with the superficial claims of the false apostles. There is also a powerful element of Pathos, as Paul's stark recounting of the physical pain he endured evokes sympathy and a visceral understanding of his profound commitment. Furthermore, the entire "fool's speech" operates under a layer of Irony. Paul is "boasting," but he is boasting in his weaknesses and sufferings, turning the worldly concept of boasting on its head. This ironic boasting serves to highlight the true nature of apostolic authority, which, for Paul, is found not in power or prestige, but in humble service and sacrificial endurance for Christ, echoing the pattern of Christ himself.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's experience of receiving "forty [stripes] save one" five times from the Jews profoundly shapes our understanding of authentic Christian ministry and discipleship. It reveals that faithfulness to the Gospel often entails suffering, not as a sign of divine displeasure, but as a path of identification with Christ and a testament to the power of God. This suffering is not merely endured but is transformed into a badge of honor, validating Paul's apostolic claim more effectively than any worldly credential. It underscores the counter-cultural nature of the Kingdom of God, where strength is found in weakness, and true authority is demonstrated through humble service and sacrifice, rather than through power or prestige. For Paul, these beatings were not setbacks but integral parts of his calling, demonstrating his unwavering commitment and allowing Christ's power to be made manifest through his vulnerability.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's unflinching account of his multiple scourging experiences in 2 Corinthians 11:24 provides a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging our often comfortable and prosperity-gospel-influenced views of faith. It reminds us that following Christ is not a guarantee of an easy life, but often involves hardship, opposition, and even suffering, much as it did for the apostles and for Christ himself. Paul's endurance demonstrates that true devotion to God is often proven not by outward displays of success or wealth, but by a willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel and for others. His resilience encourages us to persevere through our own trials, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual, knowing that our struggles can be used by God to deepen our faith, refine our character, and strengthen our witness to a watching world. This verse calls us to examine our own commitment: are we willing to endure discomfort, criticism, or even persecution for the sake of Christ and His truth, or do we prioritize ease and acceptance?
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jewish law mandate 39 lashes instead of 40?
Answer: Jewish law, as interpreted by rabbinic tradition, derived the practice of administering 39 lashes from Deuteronomy 25:3, which states, "Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed." To ensure strict adherence to this maximum and to avoid inadvertently exceeding the limit (which would make the administrator guilty of violating the law), the rabbis prudently established the practice of administering only 39 lashes. This meticulous adherence to the law, even in the act of punishment, was a hallmark of Jewish legal practice.
Who administered these beatings to Paul?
Answer: The phrase "Of the Jews" explicitly indicates that these beatings were administered by Jewish authorities, likely in synagogues or local courts, rather than by Roman officials. Paul, as a former Pharisee and a devout Jew, would have been subject to these religious judicial proceedings. These punishments were typically meted out for perceived offenses against Jewish law or tradition, such as blasphemy or apostasy, which Paul's proclamation of Jesus as Messiah was often seen to be.
What was Paul's purpose in recounting these sufferings, particularly these specific beatings?
Answer: Paul's primary purpose in recounting these sufferings was to defend his apostolic authority and authenticate his ministry against the challenges of false apostles in Corinth. In his "fool's speech" (see 2 Corinthians 11:1), he ironically "boasts" in his weaknesses and hardships, contrasting his genuine, suffering service with the self-serving and superficial claims of those who sought to undermine him. By detailing the immense personal cost of his ministry, Paul demonstrated his unwavering commitment to Christ and the Gospel, proving that his apostleship was rooted in divine calling and sacrificial love, not in worldly power or prestige.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's repeated experience of receiving "forty [stripes] save one" from the Jews finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment, not merely as an example of suffering, but as a deep identification with the Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ. Paul's scourging directly mirrors the brutal beatings Jesus himself endured before His crucifixion, as recounted in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1). Just as Jesus suffered unjustly at the hands of His own people and Roman authorities, Paul, as an apostle of Christ, bore the marks of similar persecution. This suffering was not an accident but an intentional part of God's plan, allowing Paul to "fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, the church" (as he states in Colossians 1:24). Paul's weakness and vulnerability, highlighted by these beatings, become the very channels through which the power of Christ is made perfect, echoing Jesus' own words that "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Thus, Paul's suffering is not just an example of endurance, but a living testament to the pattern of Christ's sacrificial life and a demonstration that true strength and authentic ministry flow from a willingness to embrace the cross.