2 Corinthians 11:33

And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

And {G2532} through {G1223} a window {G2376} in {G1722} a basket {G4553} was I let down {G5465} by {G1223} the wall {G5038}, and {G2532} escaped {G1628} his {G846} hands {G5495}.

but I was lowered in a basket through an opening in the wall and escaped his clutches.

But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.

and through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.

2 Corinthians 11:33 describes a dramatic escape by the Apostle Paul, highlighting the dangers he faced in his ministry and God's providential care. This verse serves as the concluding example in a long list of hardships Paul endured, which he recounts reluctantly to defend his apostleship against false teachers.

Context

This verse directly references an event that occurred early in Paul's ministry after his conversion on the road to Damascus. As recounted in Acts 9:23-25, Jewish leaders in Damascus conspired to kill Paul because of his fervent preaching of Jesus Christ. The governor under Aretas the king was guarding the city gates to apprehend him. To evade capture, Paul's disciples helped him escape by lowering him through a window in a basket, down the city wall.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul is compelled to "boast" in his weaknesses and sufferings, not out of pride, but to demonstrate his genuine apostolic credentials, contrasting them with the superficial claims of those who sought to undermine his authority in Corinth. This undignified escape serves as a powerful illustration of his vulnerability and reliance on God, rather than worldly power or status, which he discusses more broadly in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Providence: The escape itself, despite its humble and undignified nature, points to God's direct intervention to preserve Paul's life and ministry. It illustrates how God can deliver His servants from seemingly inescapable dangers.
  • Humility and Weakness: Paul's escape in a basket was far from glorious. It emphasized his human weakness and dependence, reinforcing his consistent message that God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). This undignified exit underscored his genuine apostleship, which was marked by suffering for Christ, not by worldly acclaim.
  • Apostolic Suffering: This incident is one more proof of Paul's legitimate call to ministry. Unlike the false apostles who boasted in their worldly achievements, Paul boasted in his afflictions, demonstrating the reality of following Christ, which often involves hardship and persecution.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "basket" used here is sarganē (σαργάνη), which refers to a large wicker basket, often used for carrying hay, straw, or even refuse. This term emphasizes the crude and unceremonious nature of Paul's escape, further highlighting the lack of human glory in his deliverance. It wasn't a noble or heroic exit, but a desperate, humble one orchestrated by his disciples and ultimately by divine providence.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Corinthians 11:33 offers several insights:

  • God's Unconventional Deliverance: God often works in surprising and unconventional ways to protect and deliver His people. Our escapes from difficulty may not always be grand or dignified, but they are no less a testament to His faithfulness.
  • Strength in Weakness: This verse reminds us that our human limitations and vulnerabilities are not obstacles to God's work, but often the very means through which His power is displayed. When we are weak, He is strong.
  • Embracing Hardship: Like Paul, we may face opposition and hardship for our faith. This verse encourages us to trust in God's protection even in the most challenging circumstances, knowing that He can make a way where there seems to be no way.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 9:25

    Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket.

  • 1 Samuel 19:12

    So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.

  • Joshua 2:18

    Behold, [when] we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.

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