22 Are they Hebrews ? So am I. Are they Israelites ? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham ? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ ?-I speak as if insane -I more so ; in far more labors , in far more imprisonments , beaten times without number , often in danger of death . 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine e e lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods , once I was stoned , three times I was shipwrecked , a night and a day I have spent in the deep . 26 I have been on frequent journeys , in dangers from rivers , dangers from robbers , dangers from my countrymen , dangers from the Gentiles , dangers in the city , dangers in the wilderness , dangers on the sea , dangers among false brethren ; 27 I have been in labor and hardship , through many sleepless nights , in hunger and thirst , often without food , in cold and exposure . 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily e pressure on me of concern for all the churches . 29 Who is weak without e my being weak ? Who is led into sin without e my intense concern ? 30 If I have to boast , I will boast of what pertains to my weakness . 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus , He who is blessed forever , knows that I am not lying . 32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, 33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall , and so escaped his hands .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:22-33
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:22-33
(Read 2 Corinthians 11:22-33)
The apostle gives an account of his labours and sufferings; not out of pride or vain-glory, but to the honour of God, who enabled him to do and suffer so much for the cause of Christ; and shows wherein he excelled the false apostles, who tried to lessen his character and usefulness. It astonishes us to reflect on this account of his dangers, hardships, and sufferings, and to observe his patience, perseverance, diligence, cheerfulness, and usefulness, in the midst of all these trials. See what little reason we have to love the pomp and plenty of this world, when this blessed apostle felt so much hardship in it. Our utmost diligence and services appear unworthy of notice when compared with his, and our difficulties and trials scarcely can be perceived. It may well lead us to inquire whether or not we really are followers of Christ. Here we may study patience, courage, and firm trust in God. Here we may learn to think less of ourselves; and we should ever strictly keep to truth, as in God's presence; and should refer all to his glory, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore.