2Cor 11:21-27 | PNT | STEP | I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak . The opposers had said that "his bodily presence was weak" ( ). They had suffered what he had described in , but he had never been so bold. Yet, wherein any were bold, he had the right to be bold also. He next states grounds which he might have for boasting.

2 Corinthians 11:21-27

I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. The opposers had said that "his bodily presence was weak" (2Co 10:10). They had suffered what he had described in 2Co 11:20, but he had never been so bold. Yet, wherein any were bold, he had the right to be bold also. He next states grounds which he might have for boasting. Are they Hebrews? so [am] I. Of pure Hebrew stock? So was Paul. See Php 3:5.

Are they Israelites? so [am] I. He was of the seed of Jacob, and the heir of the promises to Israel.

Are they the seed of Abraham? so [am] I Not only of the fleshly, but of the spiritual seed of Abraham. Are they ministers of Christ? . . . I [am] more. Not only a minister, but a pre-eminent sufferer for Christ. To show how much he exceeded them, he gives some account of his sufferings.

I speak as a fool. Speaking foolishly, that is, commending himself. See 2Co 11:1.

In labours more abundant. The record of Acts shows how his labors abounded.

In stripes above measure. See 2Co 11:24,25.

In prisons more frequent. Clement, who wrote about the close of the first century, says in his Epistle to the Corinthians that Paul was imprisoned seven times. In Acts only one occurrence is named before the date of this letter, that at Philippi (Ac 16:24). It is evident from this enumeration that Acts is only a part of the history of his labors.

In deaths oft. Often in peril of death. Dean Stanley says that the catalogue of sufferings given in 2Co 11:25-33 shows that Paul's life was then without precedent in the history of the world. The only explanation of such a life, continued now for more than fourteen years, is that given by himself: "The love of Christ constraineth us" (2Co 5:14). Of the Jews fives times received I forty [stripes] save one. See De 25:3. The Jews were not allowed to exceed this number. Thrice was I beaten with rods. This was the Roman scourging. Only one of these instances is reported in Ac 16:23.

Once was I stoned. See Ac 14:19.

Thrice I suffered shipwreck. No account elsewhere is given of these. The shipwreck, on the way to Italy (Ac 27:44), was of later date.

A night and a day I have been in the deep. In an open boat, or on driftwood, after a shipwreck. Perils of waters. In crossing swollen rivers.

Perils of robbers. In his travels he was often exposed to danger from this source.

Perils by [mine own] countrymen. The Jews, who constantly persecuted him. See 2Co 11:24.

Perils by the heathen. The Gentiles. As an illustration, see 2Co 11:25.

Perils in the city. Damascus (Ac 9:22-24), Jerusalem (Ac 21:28-31), Antioch in Pisidia (Ac 13:44,45,50), Lystra (Ac 14:11-13), Philippi (Ac 16:18-24), and Corinth (Ac 18:12) will at once occur as instances. In weariness and painfulness, etc. Often weary and in pain. The verse shows the self-denial made necessary in preaching the gospel. Often in want, hungry, naked and cold. Why should all these have been endured? Nothing but overwhelming conviction and love could have led him to this sacrifice himself.