What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (2024)

GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SolomonIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation

Chapter

12345678910111213

Verse

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

ESVAre they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.

NIVAre they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.

NASBAre they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

CSBAre they servants of Christ? I'm talking like a madman--I'm a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.

NLTAre they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.

KJVAre 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.

Follow Us:What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (1)What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (2) What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (3)

www.BibleRef.com| Sitemap| Books of the Bible| Passages

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.

Using satire and sarcasm, Paul declared he will now engage in the same foolishness as the deceptive false apostles in Corinth. He has promised to boast about his qualifications and experiences, just as they do. He began in the previous verse by pointing out that he, too, is a true Hebrew and member of God's chosen people, the Israelites. That fact may have given his opponents some credibility with the Corinthians, so he reminded them the same was true of him. That's not much of a boast in itself, however.

Opponents in Corinth may have presented themselves as servants of Christ, but Paul has already made clear they present a false version of Jesus and certainly do not act like Him. Here, Paul's claim to spiritual credentials is more specific, describing himself as a "better" servant of Christ than the false apostles. Paul's use of satire here is explicit. In fact, he says that to make such a declaration would be the words of a madman.

Paul would see such speech—were it not sarcasm—as insane because a true servant of Christ should never brag about being a better servant of Christ than another. His use of that approach, here, is for a particular effect. Beyond that, Paul doesn't boast the way anyone reading his letter might have expected. Instead of describing all the churches he has established or the great number of people he has led to faith in Christ, he begins to describe the suffering he has experienced as Christ's representative.

That his labors have been far greater may sound to modern ears like Paul is bragging about his work ethic. However, to those in Corinthian culture, one who did much laborious work was seen as a failure in life, not a success. Next, Paul adds that he has spent time in far more jails, has been beaten countless times, and has often been near death in his ministry. This would have been odd boasting indeed to Corinthian ears. From their perspective, Paul is describing a collection of failures, disasters, and losses that go beyond even the recorded episodes of such experiences in the book of Acts.

The boast is genuine, however. Paul is establishing that he has suffered as Christ Himself suffered during His life on earth. In addition, he is establishing the great weakness and fragility of his life, which will amplify the glory of God's strength demonstrated through him.

Expand

Expand

Expand

What is the Gospel?

Download the app:
What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (4)What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (5)

BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (6)

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit
What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (7)

Follow Us:What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (8)What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (9) What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (10)

www.BibleRef.com| Sitemap| Books of the Bible| Passages

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.

What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? (2024)

FAQs

What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean? ›

Using satire and sarcasm, Paul declared he will now engage in the same foolishness as the deceptive false apostles in Corinth. He has promised to boast about his qualifications and experiences, just as they do.

What does it mean to be in stripes above measure? ›

In stripes above measure: “I am a minister of Christ because I have been beaten many times for Jesus' sake.” Paul received beatings from both the Jews (five times I received forty stripes minus one) and the Romans (three times I beaten with rods).

What does it mean to let all that you do be done in love? ›

To do everything in love means that we do not dishonor others, brag, or become easily angered. To do everything in love means to rejoice in the truth of God, reject evil, and to trust and hope in Him. Believers can make choices each day out of love that result in being patient, kind, and forgiving.

What does robbed other churches mean? ›

That is, he worked with his hands and accepted donations from other churches in order to help them participate in the glory of God through faith in Christ. Now he describes his willingness to receive donations from other churches to support his work in Corinth as "robbing" those churches.

What does 2 Corinthians 11 teach us? ›

Here in 2 Corinthians 11 Paul defends his ministry against the attacks of the false apostles who have actively sought to undermine his authority. In this chapter, Paul admits his own foolishness, his weakness, and his lack of rhetorical ability. Please put up with my poor attempt at an argument, Paul says (v. 1).

What do stripes represent in the Bible? ›

The stripes mentioned by Isaiah were the awful lashings upon Jesus' back by the Roman whips. Thirty-nine stripes were the traditional punishment for a condemned prisoner. According to the scripture, these stripes upon Christ were on behalf of our healing (1 Peter 2:2).

What does the Bible say about measure for measure? ›

The title of Measure for Measure is taken from the Bible: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged and the measure you give will be the measure you get" (Matthew 7.1 and 7.2).

What does it mean to love someone so much you let them go? ›

Letting go means you cherish someone

Rather, it can be an act of love. By releasing control and allowing someone else freedom in their life, you can create a healthier relationship based on respect and understanding. It is possible that after you let go of someone, you still cherish that person for life.

What does God let your will be done? ›

Praying for the will of God to be done in and through our lives on earth, as it is in heaven, means that we are willing to go through whatever might prevent that purpose from being accomplished. Our prayer is that we want to be so aligned with the will and purpose of God that we ask God to empower us to accomplish it.

Do everything you do be done in love? ›

1 Corinthians 16:14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God's love for us].

What is considered church abuse? ›

Religious abuse is abuse administered through religion, including harassment or humiliation that may result in psychological trauma. Religious abuse may also include the misuse of religion for selfish, secular, or ideological ends, such as the abuse of a clerical position.

What are the hidden enemies of the church? ›

Anger, Envy, Lust, Pride, Gluttony, Sloth and Covetousness are the seven capital or deadly sins. They — along with vainglory, ambition, avarice and an over-reliance on one's intellect to the detriment of growth in faith — are among the hidden enemies of the priesthood.

Can you not go to church and be saved? ›

Really quick, is church attendance or church membership a requirement as a Christian? Meaning do you need to do these things to be saved and go to heaven? No. The bible is clear, the only thing you need to do to be saved is to that you need a savior because you cannot pay the price for your sins.

What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 11 23? ›

Paul is establishing that he has suffered as Christ Himself suffered during His life on earth. In addition, he is establishing the great weakness and fragility of his life, which will amplify the glory of God's strength demonstrated through him.

What is the main point of 2 Corinthians? ›

Its main theme is Paul's gratitude to God for his mercies and for his comfort, in his own life and in the lives of the Christians in Corinth (and in the wider province, Achaia). It is significant that the apostle begins this section by giving thanks to God through a “blessing” upon God.

What can we learn from Corinthians 11? ›

Men and women are equal in God's eyes and in the eyes of the Church, but equal does not mean they are the same. The responsibilities and divine gifts of men and women differ in their nature but not in their importance or influence.

What does it mean to be in all stripes? ›

of all types: Governments of every stripe (= of all political opinions) have a bad habit of interfering in state broadcasting. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.

What do the stripes mean on Navy uniforms? ›

Stripes are either cardinal, gold or blue as specified. 4. Entitlements. All personnel wear one stripe for each four years of active duty service or reserve service in an active status in any of the armed services.

What does the Bible say about by his stripes? ›

Isaiah 53:5

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

What do the number stripes mean? ›

a number or combination of such strips, worn on a military, naval, or other uniform as a badge of rank, service, good conduct, combat wounds, etc. b. informal. status or recognition as a result of one's efforts, experience, or achievements.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 6235

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.