2 Corinthians 11:22-29 (WEL) Are they Hebrews? Me too. Are they Israelites? Me too. Are they descendants of Abraham? Me too. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like a fool). I am even more, in painful work—greater; receiving stripes from whippings—excessively; in imprisonments—more frequently; even more frequently near death. 24 Five times I received forty stripes from the Jews, minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with clubs. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I spent a day and night in the deep. 26 Also, I have had more frequent trips, dangers from water, from robbers, from my own countrymen, from the heathen in the city, in the wilderness, in the sea, and from false brethren. 27 I have been in pain and sadness, deprived of sleep, hungry, thirsty, frequently without food, cold, and lacking clothes. 28 Beside all those outward things, I have the daily, heavy burden of worrying about the congregations. 29 Does someone feel weak, and I don’t feel weak with them? Does someone cause another to stumble, and I don’t burn with anger?
V22 Are they Hebrews? Me too. Are they Israelites? Me too. Are they descendants of Abraham? Me too.
The false apostles are Jews, so is Paul.
V23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like a fool). I am even more, in painful work—greater; receiving stripes from whippings—excessively; in imprisonments—more frequently; even more frequently near death.
The false apostles eventually suffered no persecution; Paul suffered much.
Vincents remarks:
“As a fool (παραφρονῶν)
“Only here in the New Testament. See the kindred παραφρονία madness, 2Pe 2:16. Lit., being beside myself Rev., as one beside myself. This expression is stronger than that in 2Co 11:21, because the statement which it characterizes is stronger. Up to this point Paul has been asserting equality with the other teachers. Now he asserts superiority “I more;” and ironically characterizes this statement from their standpoint as madness.”
V24 Five times I received forty stripes from the Jews, minus one.
This is the maximum punishment allowed under Mosaic Law. See Deuteronomy 25:1-3.
V25 Three times I was beaten with clubs. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I spent a day and night in the deep.
All of these are some of the trials that Paul endured. Paul did not seek comfort; he sought to be a good servant of Jesus Christ.
Punishment with rods: Acts 16:22-23
Stoned to death: Acts 14:19
Shipwreck: Acts 27:20
In the sea: Acts 27:41-44
V26 Also, I have had more frequent trips, dangers from water, from robbers, from my own countrymen, from the heathen in the city, in the wilderness, in the sea, and from false brethren.
These all happened on his missionary journeys. See Acts 27:41, Acts 9:23-29, Acts 14:19, Acts 20:3, Acts 21:27-31, Acts 25:3, and 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16.
V27 I have been in pain and sadness, deprived of sleep, hungry, thirsty, frequently without food, cold, and lacking clothes.
Not even lack of necessities stopped the missionary team. Do we have such dedication and stamina in today’s church?
Paul could not have done these things without God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:9) and strength (Philippians 4:13 and Colossians 1:29).
V28 Beside all those outward things, I have the daily, heavy burden of worrying about the congregations.
This is to be the true attitude of all church leaders, namely, to care, guard, and lead the local church.
Compare the corrupt, evil leaders of Isaiah (Ezekiel 34:1-6) with the Good Shepherd (Isaiah 40:11 and John 10:11-14).
V29 Does someone feel weak, and I don’t feel weak with them? Does someone cause another to stumble, and I don’t burn with anger?
This is the church family togetherness is all things of this life. We should always be angry at false teachers, etc., who lead the believers astray.
The Greek word for anger is G4448 πυρόω puróō, which means fire, set on fire, etc. It can be literal fire or trials, persecutions, judgment, grief, zeal, or emotions like fire—quick and hot.
Hughes as quoted by Constable on this verse: “”And so it should be with every faithful pastor of Christ’s flock: he should lovingly identify himself with those who have been committed to his care, showing himself deeply anxious for their spiritual well-being, compassionate with them in their frailties and temptations, and resisting and resenting every one who seeks to entice them away from the purity of their devotion to Christ. This compassion is not of man: it is the divine compassion of Christ Himself, burning in the heart of His servant, and blazing forth in love to reach and to bind to the one Bridegroom the hearts of those to whom he ministers.” [Note #334: Hughes, p. 418.]”
We learn:
- Being a Christian has trials.
- Being a Christian leader has trials and concerns for the faithfulness of the flock.
Questions:
- How do you handle trials?
- Do you experience trials because you are a Christian?
- Do you help carry the emotional and trial troubles with other Christians?