2Cor 11:25-33 | PNT | STEP | Thrice was I beaten with rods . This was the Roman scourging. Only one of these instances is reported in . Once was I stoned . See . Thrice I suffered shipwreck . No account elsewhere is given of these. The shipwreck, on the way to Italy ( ), 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.

2 Corinthians 11:25-33

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. Besides those things that are without. His physical sufferings and labors were not all. There was constant care and anxiety for the churches. Who is weak, and am I not weak? His sympathy for the churches was so great that if they suffered, he suffered with them. If I must needs glory, etc. If compelled to boast, this boast will be of his own infirmities and sufferings for Christ, such as he has just narrated. The God and Father . . . knoweth that I lie not. He has given as astonishing catalogue of suffering. Yet, God knows that every word is true. In Damascus. This seems to be cited to show that the very beginning of his Christian career was amid peril. See Ac 9:23-25.

The governor under Aretas the king. Aretas was king of Petra, and the father-in-law of Herod Antipas. Damascus was usually, at these times, under Roman rule. Aretas engaged in war with Herod because he sent off his daughter and took Herodias for a wife. He defeated Herod and became embroiled with the Romans. It is likely that in the contest Damascus fell into his hands for a time. The language,

Kept the city . . . with a garrison, shows that it was war times. The Jews, who were very strong in Damascus, doubtless induced the governor to try to seize Paul. Through a window in a basket was I let down. Houses in these Oriental walled cities are built against walls with windows looking out over them. It was, no doubt, from such a window that he was let down and thus escaped.