2 Corinthians 11:23
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.
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's catalog of sufferings — 'imprisonments... far more, with countless beatings, often near death; from the Jews five times I received the forty lashes less one, three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked' — is the most detailed personal testament of apostolic suffering in the New Testament and is deployed as a credential, not a liability. The rhetorical strategy inverts the normal commendation: Paul's 'boasting' in weakness (verse 30) challenges the Corinthians' power-oriented evaluation of apostolic ministry. The 'forty lashes less one' (verse 24) reflects the Jewish legal limit of Deuteronomy 25:3 applied in synagogue discipline, indicating Paul's ongoing involvement in the Jewish community even after his conversion. The passage grounds a Christian theology of suffering in the autobiography of the apostle rather than in abstract principle.
Other Translations
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.
ministrants of Christ are they? --as beside myself I speak--I more; in labours more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths many times;
Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking foolishly) I am more so; I have had more experience of hard work, of prisons, of blows more than measure, of death.
Cross References
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was …
And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one …
And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain …
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left …
He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent …
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, …
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them …