2 Corinthians 11:26

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 - rather 'By:' connected with 2 Corinthians 11:23, but now not with "in," as there, and as in 2 Corinthians 11:27, where again he passes to the idea of surrounding circumstances or environments (Alford). WATERS, [ potamon (G4215)] - 'rivers'; namely, perils by their flooding, as on the road often traversed by Paul between Jerusalem and Antioch, crossed by the torrents rushing down from Lebanon....

By _perils from the nation _he means those that befell him from his own nation, in consequence of the hatred, that was kindled against him among all the Jews. On the other hand, he had the Gentiles as his adversaries; and in the _third _place snares were laid for him _by false brethren. _Thus it happened, that for Christ’s name’s sake he was hated by all. (Matthew 10:22.)...

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...

Verse 26. IN _JOURNEYINGS OFTEN_] He means the particular journeys which he took to different places, for the purpose of propagating the Gospel. IN _PERILS OF WATERS_] Exposed to great dangers in crossing _rivers_; for of _rivers_ the original, ποταμων, must be understood. _OF ROBBERS_] Judea itself, and perhaps every other country, was grievously infested by banditti of this kind; and no doubt the apostle in his frequent peregrinations was often attacked, but, being _poor_ and having nothing to lose, he passed unhurt, though not without great danger. IN _PERILS BY_ MINE OWN _COUNTRYMEN_] The Jews had the most rooted antipathy to him, because they considered him an _apostate_ from the true faith, and also the means of perverting many others. There are several instances of this in the Acts; and a remarkable conspiracy aga

IN JOURNEYINGS OFTEN - Of course subject to the fatigue, toil, and danger which such a mode of life involves. IN PERILS OF WATERS - In danger of losing my life at sea, or by floods, or by crossing streams. OF ROBBERS - Many of the countries, especially Arabia, through which he traveled, were then infested, as they are now, with robbers. It is not impossible or improbable that he was often attacked and his life endangered. It is still unsafe to travel in many of the places through which he traveled. BY MINE OWN COUNTRYMEN - The Jews. They often scourged him; laid wait for him and were ready to put him to death. They had deep enmity against him as an apostate, and he was in constant danger of being put to death by them. BY THE PAGAN - By those who had not the true religion. S

AN APOSTLE DRIVEN AGAINST HIS WILL INTO A SEMBLANCE OF BOASTING. EXPOSITION An apology for the "foolishness" of boasting (2 Corinthians 11:1). He is not afraid of comparisons (2 Corinthians 11:5, 2 Corinthians 11:6). He will not recede from his despised practice of teaching gratuitously (2 Corinthians 11:7). A second apology, drawn from the outrageous conduct of his opponents ...

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...

2. ANSWERING HIS ADVERSARIES. HIS BOASTINGS. CHAPTER 11 _ 1. The Danger Through False Teachers. (2 Corinthians 11:1)_ 2. Answering His Adversaries. (2 Corinthians 11:7) 3. His Boastings of Labors and Sufferings. (2 Corinthians 11:16 .) Inasmuch as he did not want to boast, he tells the Corinthians to bear with him a little while he acts foolishly in speaking of himself. It had become necessary to do so in order to answer his adversaries, who were making havoc among the Corinthians, but he looks upon his vindication and boasting as nothing less than folly. He is about to do what he had exposed in others in the previous chapter ...

COMPARISON BETWEEN PAUL AND HIS OPPONENTS (_cf._ 2 Corinthians 11:6). Under the pressure of intense feeling he will break through his inclination and self-imposed resolve of silence, to let his character and his sufferings in the cause of Christ speak for themselves. But in doing so, he makes it clear that he waives all authority of one who speaks in the Lord. Speaking simply as a frail man, he pleads that he may receive at least such a hearing as the Corinthians have given to the other men who have tyrannised over them, exploited them, even buffeted them. If such high-handed arrogance as they have practised be what they mean by strength, then he admits (ironically adding to my disgrace) that he had been weak. The passage which follows (2 Corinthians 11:22 to...

THE PERIL OF SEDUCTION (2 Corinthians 11:1-6)...