2 Corinthians 6:5

in stripes Cf. ch. 2 Corinthians 11:23-24; Acts 16:23.

in imprisonments Cf. ch. 2 Corinthians 11:23. The Acts of the Apostles, up to this date, records only one such, namely that at Philippi, Acts 16:23-40. But the Acts is far from recording all the events of St Paul's life. See notes on ch. 11:and on ch. 2 Corinthians 1:8.

in tumults The word in the original signifies primarily unsettlement. Cf. margin of A. V., tossings to and fro. St Chrysostom would interpret it of the uncertain dwelling-place of the Apostle. But the word came to mean disorder or tumult. See Luke 21:9; 1 Corinthians 14:33; James 3:16, as well as ch 2 Corinthians 12:20, where the word occurs. In these passages moral disorder, not local unsettlement, is clearly implied. For the tumults which the Apostle went through see Acts 13:50; Acts 14:5; Acts 14:19; Acts 16:22; Acts 17:5; Acts 18:12; Acts 19:23-41.

in labours i.e. (1) the toils by which he supported himself (cf. Acts 18:3; Act 20:34; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8); and (2) his labours for the cause of Christ (cf Romans 16:12; 1 Timothy 4:10).

in watchings Literally, sleeplessnesses, caused by "manual labour, teaching, travelling, meditating, praying, cares and the like." Meyer.

in fastings Since St Paul himself distinguished these fastings from ordinary hunger and thirst (ch. 2 Corinthians 11:27) we must do so also. "Not fasting from want, but a voluntary exercise of abstinence." Calvin. Fasting, we know, was practised under the new Covenant as well as the old. See Acts 13:2-3; Acts 14:23.