2 Corinthians 11:25

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;

Thrice {G5151} was I beaten with rods {G4463}, once {G530} was I stoned {G3034}, thrice {G5151} I suffered shipwreck {G3489}, a night and a day {G3574} I have been {G4160} in {G1722} the deep {G1037};

Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep;

Commentary

In 2 Corinthians 11:25, the Apostle Paul continues his reluctant "fool's speech," where he defends his genuine apostleship against false teachers in Corinth by detailing his immense personal sufferings for the Gospel. This verse provides a stark glimpse into the physical perils and hardships he endured, highlighting his unwavering commitment to Christ despite life-threatening circumstances.

Context

This verse is part of a longer list of Paul's tribulations, beginning in 2 Corinthians 11:23. Paul was compelled to boast in his weaknesses and sufferings, not out of pride, but to demonstrate his authenticity and the true nature of ministry, contrasting it with the worldly boasting and deceptive practices of the false apostles who were undermining his authority in the Corinthian church. His point was that true service to Christ often involves sacrifice and hardship, not comfort or material gain.

Key Themes

  • Apostolic Endurance and Sacrifice: Paul's recounting of beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, and being "in the deep" underscores the extraordinary level of physical suffering and danger he faced as a missionary. His willingness to endure such extreme hardships testifies to the depth of his faith and dedication to spreading the Good News.
  • Authenticity of Ministry: For Paul, these sufferings were not failures but marks of a legitimate ministry. Unlike those who sought personal gain or status, Paul's life exemplified the cost of following Christ, proving his sincerity and reliance on God's power rather than human strength.
  • Divine Preservation: Despite being left for dead (as implied by being "stoned") and facing the perils of the sea, Paul survived these ordeals. This implicitly points to God's miraculous preservation and faithfulness, enabling him to continue his vital work.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV accurately translates the Greek terms here, vividly portraying Paul's experiences. "Thrice was I beaten with rods" refers to a severe Roman punishment, distinct from the Jewish "forty stripes save one." Though a Roman citizen, Paul was illegally subjected to this brutal treatment, as recorded in places like Acts 16:22-23. Being "once was I stoned" means he was attacked by a mob with stones, a form of execution, as recounted in Acts 14:19 at Lystra, where he was left for dead. "Thrice I suffered shipwreck" highlights the extreme dangers of ancient sea travel; while Acts records one major shipwreck later in his ministry (Acts 27:41), the three mentioned here occurred earlier and are not detailed in Scripture. The phrase "a night and a day I have been in the deep" suggests he was adrift in the open sea, perhaps clinging to wreckage, for an extended period, emphasizing his utter vulnerability and reliance on divine intervention.

Practical Application

Paul's testimony in 2 Corinthians 11:25 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that faithfulness to God's calling can involve hardship and opposition. True spiritual leadership is often marked by sacrifice and perseverance, not merely worldly success or comfort. When we face trials, we can draw encouragement from Paul's example, knowing that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, as Paul himself articulates in 2 Corinthians 12:9. This verse challenges us to consider our own resilience in faith and to trust in God's sustaining power through all of life's "deep" moments.

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Cross-References

  • Acts 14:19 (9 votes)

    ¶ And there came thither [certain] Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew [him] out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

  • Acts 16:22 (3 votes)

    And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them].

  • Acts 16:23 (3 votes)

    And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast [them] into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

  • Acts 16:33 (3 votes)

    And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed [their] stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

  • Hebrews 11:37 (3 votes)

    They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

  • Acts 27:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto [one] named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

  • Acts 27:44 (3 votes)

    And the rest, some on boards, and some on [broken pieces] of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.