In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
In {G1722} Damascus {G1154} the governor {G1481} under Aretas {G702} the king {G935} kept {G5432} the city {G4172} of the Damascenes {G1153} with a garrison {G5432}, desirous {G2309} to apprehend {G4084} me {G3165}:
When I was in Dalmanuta, the governor under King Aretas had the city of Dalmanuta guarded in order to arrest me;
In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me.
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to take me:
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2 Corinthians 11:26
[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; -
Acts 9:24
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. -
Acts 9:25
Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket.
2 Corinthians 11:32 recounts a specific instance of danger and miraculous escape that the Apostle Paul faced early in his ministry. This verse is part of a larger section where Paul is reluctantly defending his apostolic authority against false teachers who boasted of their own credentials and criticized Paul's apparent weakness.
Context
This verse provides a vivid historical detail that corroborates Paul's account of his escape from Damascus, which is also described in Acts 9:24-25. After his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul immediately began preaching Christ in the synagogues there, much to the chagrin of the Jewish authorities. Damascus was at times under the control of Aretas IV Philopatris, the Nabataean king. The governor, acting on behalf of King Aretas, sought to capture Paul, indicating the significant impact of Paul's early ministry and the intense opposition it generated. Paul recounts this incident as evidence of the genuine hardships and perils he endured for the sake of the Gospel, contrasting his true suffering with the self-serving boasts of his detractors.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison" uses the Greek verb phroureō (φρουρέω), which means to guard, garrison, or hold in custody. This emphasizes the thoroughness of the governor's efforts to secure the city and prevent Paul's escape, making his eventual deliverance even more remarkable. The word "apprehend" (πιάζω - piazō) means to seize or catch, indicating the clear intent to capture Paul by force.
Practical Application
For believers today, 2 Corinthians 11:32 serves as a powerful reminder that following Christ may involve hardship and opposition. Paul's experience encourages us to: