2 Corinthians 11:26

26 In my many travels I have been in danger from floods and from robbers, in danger from my own people and from Gentiles; there have been dangers in the cities, dangers in the wilds, dangers on the high seas, and dangers from false friends. ¹

2 Corinthians 11:26 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:26

In journeying often
Through several countries and kingdoms to preach the Gospel, as he did from Jerusalem round about to Illyricum:

in perils of waters;
by the floods being out, which made it very troublesome and dangerous travelling, especially to persons on foot, as was the case of our apostle:

in perils of robbers;
for though he had seldom much to lose, yet was in danger of being ill used, and of his life being taken away by such ruffians:

in perils by my own countrymen;
the Jews, who bore an implacable hatred to him, because of the doctrines of grace he preached, in opposition to the works of the law of Moses, whether moral or ceremonial; and who generally were concerned in stirring up the Gentiles against him wherever he came:

in perils by the Heathen;
the Gentiles, who were incensed against him for inveighing against their idols and idolatrous worship, and other wicked and enormous practices they were addicted to; particularly at Ephesus, by the means of Demetrius the shrine maker, ( Acts 19:23-41 ) ,

in perils in the city;
in any and every city he came into; for bonds and affliction abode him everywhere, as at Jerusalem, Damascus, Antioch, Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica

in perils in the wilderness;
by robbers and wild beasts, through hunger and thirst, and by the sands in hurricanes and tempests; though this may be understood not strictly of desert places, but of the country in distinction from the city; (See Gill on Matthew 3:1) where travelling is difficult and dangerous, and the people more rustic and uncivil: the phrase, (twrbdmh tnkob) , "in perils of the wildernesses", is a Rabbinical one ^F16; as is also (Myb hnkoh) , "peril in the sea" ^F17, next mentioned:

in perils in the sea;
not only by shipwreck, but through pirates, and the ill usage of mariners, want of provisions

in perils among false brethren;
who pretended to be Christians, but "judaized", teaching the necessity of observing circumcision, and other ceremonies of the law, in order to salvation; these, as the apostle always warmly opposed, so they were sworn enemies to him, and ever sought to do him what mischief they could.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Sepher Cosri, fol. 296. 2.
F17 Sepher Cosri, fol. 297. 2.

2 Corinthians 11:26 In-Context

24 Five times I was given the thirty-nine lashes by the Jews;

25 three times I was whipped by the Romans; and once I was stoned. I have been in three shipwrecks, and once I spent twenty-four hours in the water.

26 In my many travels I have been in danger from floods and from robbers, in danger from my own people and from Gentiles; there have been dangers in the cities, dangers in the wilds, dangers on the high seas, and dangers from false friends.

27 There has been work and toil; often I have gone without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty; I have often been without enough food, shelter, or clothing.

28 And not to mention other things, every day I am under the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

Cross References

• 1. 11.26 aActs 9.23; bActs 14.5.