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2 Corinthians 11

Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

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.

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

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;

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

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

What does 2 Corinthians 11:32 mean?

Explanation

2 Corinthians 11:32 portrays an incident in the life of the Apostle Paul, where he faced imminent danger because of his missionary work.

Paul refers to an event when the ethnarch, a regional governor under King Aretas IV, stationed forces around the city of Damascus with the express purpose of capturing him.

This verse highlights the perils Paul endured due to his evangelistic efforts and teachings about Christianity.

While the verse specifically describes an historical situation, it also serves to illustrate the broader concept of perseverance and divine deliverance in the face of persecution for one's faith.

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Historical Context

The event mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:32 is dated to Paul's early years as a Christian, following his conversion (around A.D. 33-36).

King Aretas IV was the ruler of the Nabatean Kingdom, which included parts of modern-day Syria and Jordan.

Damascus was a major city in this region.

The ethnarch mentioned in the verse acted as the governor or the local representative of King Aretas and was responsible for maintaining order.

The historical implication is that Paul's activities had garnered enough attention to be considered a threat by local authorities.

Theological Insights

Interpreters of this verse have offered various theological insights:

Divine Protection: Some view this account as an example of God's protection over his chosen instruments.

Despite the adversities, Paul was not captured, which is seen as evidence of divine intervention.

Perseverance in Faith: The verse also serves to inspire perseverance, as Paul continued with his mission despite the possibility of capture and persecution.
Human Weakness and Divine Strength: This verse, along with the context of 2 Corinthians 11, emphasizes Paul's human vulnerability and the power of God working through him despite these weaknesses.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in various ways:

Facing Challenges: Christians may find strength in this verse when facing their own challenges, knowing that others before them have faced and overcome great obstacles through their faith.
Missionary Work: Those involved in missionary work or evangelism can relate to Paul’s experiences of opposition and find comfort in knowing that such trials have always been part of spreading faith.

Cross-References

Acts 9:23-25: These verses provide the narrative account of Paul's escape from Damascus, which correlates with the event referenced in 2 Corinthians 11:32.
Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." This echoes the theme of relying on God's strength in the face of adversity.
2 Timothy 3:11: “Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.”

Language Study

The key term in 2 Corinthians 11:32 is "ethnarch," which derives from the Greek "ἐθνάρχης" (ethnarchēs). It indicates the leader of a people, tribe, or ethnic group and in this context refers to a political leader with authority over the city of Damascus under King Aretas.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The story of Paul's escape can be compared to other ancient narratives where individuals are saved from persecution or certain death, such as the escape of Moses in the Old Testament or the trials of various heroes in Greco-Roman mythology who face and overcome great adversities.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not directly relate to this verse since it describes a historical event.

However, modern archaeological and textual studies can provide evidence that corroborates the historical figures and locations mentioned, which lends credibility to the biblical accounts' historical claims.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators have offered different insights into 2 Corinthians 11:32:

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible mentions that the garrison which the ethnarch set to catch Paul were likely Jews who were subjects to the king and enemies of Christianity.
Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes Paul's skill in avoiding the danger, as a demonstration of prudence even when one trusts in God's providence.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible provides a historical note about Aretas and his control over Damascus during the time of Tiberius Caesar, contributing to the chronology and understanding of the New Testament timeline.

2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11

What does 2 Corinthians 11:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 2 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does 2 Corinthians 11:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 2 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?