Paul's Hardships as Apostolic Credentials
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
2Cor.11.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Παλιν: ADV
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- μη: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- δοξη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αφρονα: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- μη: PART
- γε: PART
- καν: PART
- ως: ADV
- αφρονα: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- δεξασθε: VERB,aor,mid,imp,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ινα: CONJ
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- μικρον: ADV
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- καυχησωμαι·: VERB,aor,mid,subj,1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 (structural): Same epistolary context where Paul treats boasting and comparison with others—he defends his ministry while warning against self-commendation and false standards of boasting.
- 1 Corinthians 9:15-18 (thematic): Paul speaks of being compelled to preach and of refraining from boasting for reward; echoes the tension here between accepting a reputation for folly and boasting reluctantly.
- 1 Corinthians 1:31 (verbal): The formula “let him who boasts boast in the Lord” offers the proper direction for boasting, contrasting with worldly or self-centered boasting that Paul criticizes.
- Galatians 6:14 (thematic): Paul’s statement that he will boast only in the cross parallels his controlled, principled approach to boasting in Corinth—boasting is permitted but reoriented toward Christ.
- Jeremiah 9:24 (allusion): The OT maxim about proper grounds for boasting (“let him who boasts boast in this”) provides a scriptural precedent for reframing boasting, a theme Paul appropriates in the New Testament.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I say again—let no one regard me as a fool; and if even as a fool you do regard me, then receive me as such, that I may boast a little.
- I say again: let no one take me for a fool. If, however, you are willing to receive me as a fool, then receive me—so that I may boast a little.
2Cor.11.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λαλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ου: PART,neg
- κατα: PREP
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- λαλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αλλ᾽ως: ADV
- εν: PREP
- αφροσυνη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- ταυτη: PRO,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- υποστασει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- καυχησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 7:12 (verbal): Paul distinguishes his own instruction from a direct command of the Lord with the formula 'I say, not the Lord,' mirroring 2 Cor 11:17's 'I speak not according to the Lord.'
- 2 Corinthians 12:6-7 (thematic): Paul again frames his remarks about boasting as reluctant or foolishness, explaining his reluctance to boast and the thorn given to prevent exaltation—a continuation of the theme of 'boasting' treated ironically.
- 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (thematic): Contrast between human boasting and divine approval: 'he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord' and the warning that self-commendation is not what matters, paralleling the concern over improper boasting in 11:17.
- Galatians 6:14 (thematic): Paul repudiates worldly boasting—'may I never boast except in the cross'—reflecting the same concern to correct improper or foolish forms of boasting evident in 2 Cor 11:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- What I say I do not say to the Lord; for I speak as in foolishness, in this boldness of boasting.
- What I now say I do not say as from the Lord, but as one speaking foolishly, in this boldness of boasting.
2Cor.11.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επει: CONJ
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- καυχωνται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,pl
- κατα: PREP
- σαρκα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- καυχησομαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 10:17–18 (verbal): Directly develops the same contrast: 'Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord' and rejects human/self commending as the ground for boasting.
- 1 Corinthians 1:31 (quotation): Contains the formula 'Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord,' addressing the proper object of Christian boasting versus human boasting.
- Galatians 6:13–14 (thematic): Opponents 'boast in the flesh,' while Paul repudiates fleshly boasting and instead boasts only in the cross of Christ — a close thematic parallel.
- Philippians 3:3 (thematic): Paul contrasts confidence/boasting in the flesh with glorying in Christ and reliance on the Spirit rather than the flesh.
- Jeremiah 9:24 (allusion): Old Testament antecedent for the 'let him who boasts' motif — the idea that legitimate boasting concerns knowledge of and relationship to the Lord rather than human achievement.
Alternative generated candidates
- For since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.
- Since many boast according to human standards, I will boast also.
2Cor.11.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ηδεως: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- ανεχεσθε: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αφρονων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- φρονιμοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οντες·: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Cor 4:10 (verbal): Paul contrasts being 'fools' and 'wise' (we are fools for Christ, you are wise), echoing the ironic opposition between 'foolish' others and the Corinthians' self-perceived wisdom in 2 Cor 11:19.
- Rom 15:1 (thematic): Paul urges the strong to 'bear with the failings of the weak,' paralleling the theme of patient forbearance toward those seen as weaker or foolish.
- Prov 19:11 (thematic): 'Good sense makes one slow to anger...to overlook an offense'—a wisdom motif that commends tolerating foolishness rather than quick reproof, resonating with the counsel to bear with fools.
- 2 Tim 2:24-25 (thematic): Leaders are instructed not to be quarrelsome but to be patient and gently correct opponents—reflecting the ethic of patient endurance and forbearance toward those considered foolish.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you gladly bear fools, being wise yourselves.
- For you gladly bear with fools, since you yourselves are wise.
2Cor.11.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ανεχεσθε: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- γαρ: PART
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- καταδουλοι: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- κατεσθιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- λαμβανει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- επαιρεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- εις: PREP
- προσωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- δερει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 5:39 (thematic): Jesus teaches non‑resistance to personal insult/violence (turn the other cheek); connects to Paul’s observation that the Corinthians tolerate being struck on the face, highlighting attitudes toward insult and abuse.
- Luke 6:29 (thematic): Parallel teaching to Matthew’s on accepting personal wrongs (turn the other cheek, offer also your cloak); relates thematically to Paul’s critique of the Corinthians’ passive acceptance of mistreatment.
- 1 Corinthians 6:7–8 (thematic): Paul reproves believers for permitting injustice among themselves—preferring to be wronged or defrauded rather than litigate—echoing his complaint here that they endure exploitation and abuse.
- Galatians 5:15 (verbal): Paul warns that to 'bite and devour one another' leads to mutual destruction; the verb 'devour' parallels the language here about those who 'eat up' (κατεσθιει) the Corinthians.
- Romans 12:19–21 (thematic): Paul counsels against personal vengeance and urges overcoming evil with good; relates to the issue of how Christians respond to being wronged—either by passivity (as criticized in 2 Cor 11:20) or by non‑retaliatory resistance.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you bear it if anyone enslaves you, if anyone devours you, if anyone takes advantage of you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone strikes you on the face.
- You put up with it if anyone enslaves you, devours you, takes advantage of you, exalts himself, or strikes you in the face.
2Cor.11.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- κατα: PREP
- ατιμιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ως: ADV
- οτι: CONJ
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- ησθενηκαμεν·εν: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,pl
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δ᾽αν: PART,δε+αν
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- τολμα: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- αφροσυνη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τολμω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 4:10 (verbal): Paul calls himself and the apostles 'fools for Christ' (μωροὶ διὰ Χριστόν), echoing the admission of folly/folly-language in 2 Cor 11:21 ('in folly I also dare').
- 1 Corinthians 4:8-13 (thematic): Both passages use irony and catalogue hardships—being treated as nothing, reviled, and foolish—to describe the apostles' weakness and suffering for Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 (thematic): The theme of boasting in weakness appears here ('when I am weak, then I am strong'), developing the same paradoxical valorization of weakness found in 11:21.
- Matthew 5:11-12 (thematic): Jesus' beatitude about being insulted and persecuted 'for my sake' parallels Paul's appeal to endure contempt and to accept being regarded as foolish for Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 11:16-21 (structural): Immediate literary parallel within the same pericope: vv.16–21 frame the same ironic claims about weakness, daring, and being treated with contempt that culminate in v.21.
Alternative generated candidates
- To my shame I say that we were too weak; but in whatever anyone else is bold—I speak in foolishness—I am bold also.
- I say it to my shame—though I speak as one foolishly—so much boldness have I. If anyone is bold, I am bold even to that degree.
2Cor.11.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εβραιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- Ισραηλιται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- σπερμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
Parallels
- Romans 11:1 (verbal): Paul similarly insists on his Jewish identity: "I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham," echoing the claim to Abrahamic/Israelite lineage in 2 Cor 11:22.
- Philippians 3:5 (verbal): Paul lists his Jewish credentials—"a Hebrew of Hebrews... as to the law, a Pharisee"—paralleling the boast of ethnic and ancestral status found in 2 Cor 11:22.
- Romans 9:6-8 (thematic): Discusses the distinction between physical descent and the children of the promise (true Israel), engaging the same issue of what it means to be "Israel" or Abraham's seed that underlies 2 Cor 11:22.
- Galatians 3:7,29 (thematic): Declares that those of faith are Abraham's children/seed, thematically connected to Paul’s appeal to Abrahamic descent and the question who truly belongs to Abraham's line.
- Acts 22:3 (verbal): Paul's autobiographical self-identification—"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus... educated at the feet of Gamaliel"—echoes the practice of asserting Jewish pedigree and credentials as in 2 Cor 11:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.
- Are they Hebrews? I am too. Are they Israelites? I am too. Are they descendants of Abraham? I am too.
2Cor.11.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- διακονοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- παραφρονων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- λαλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υπερ: PREP
- εγω·εν: PRON,nom,sg,1
- κοποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- περισσοτερως: ADV
- εν: PREP
- φυλακαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- περισσοτερως: ADV
- εν: PREP
- πληγαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υπερβαλλοντως: ADV
- εν: PREP
- θανατοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- πολλακις·: ADV
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 6:4-5 (verbal): Near‑verbatim parallel list of hardships (labors, prisons, beatings, deaths) in Paul’s self‑defense—same catalogue of suffering.
- 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 (thematic): Paul portrays apostles as suffering, dishonored, and treated as fools—another autobiographical defence enumerating hardships endured for the gospel.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 (thematic): Describes persistent affliction and bearing 'the death of Jesus' in the body so Christ's life may show—connects Paul’s sufferings to participation in Christ.
- Acts 9:16 (allusion): The Lord’s prophecy to Ananias that Paul will 'suffer much' provides the vocational/prophetic context for the heavy sufferings Paul recounts.
- Philippians 3:10 (thematic): Paul’s expressed aim 'to know Christ… and the power of his resurrection, and share his sufferings' gives theological motive for enduring the kinds of trials he lists.
Alternative generated candidates
- Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as one mad—more so; in labors more abundant, in imprisonments more frequent, in beatings beyond measure, in deaths often.
- Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as a fool)—I am more: in labors more abundant, in imprisonments more frequent, in beatings beyond measure, in deaths often.
2Cor.11.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υπο: PREP
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- πεντακις: ADV
- τεσσερακοντα: NUM,acc,pl
- παρα: PREP
- μιαν: NUM,acc,sg,f
- ελαβον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 25:1-3 (allusion): Law prescribing up to forty lashes (but not to exceed), which explains Paul’s phrasing “forty minus one” as the Jewish practice behind his report of lashes.
- 2 Corinthians 11:25 (structural): Immediate context in the same catalogue of Paul’s sufferings (beatings with rods, stonings, shipwrecks), continuing the list that begins with the thirty‑nine lashes.
- 2 Corinthians 6:5 (thematic): Another Pauline summary of hardships (beatings, imprisonments, riots) that parallels 2 Cor 11’s catalogue of physical persecutions.
- Acts 16:22-24 (thematic): Narrative account of Paul and Silas being severely beaten and imprisoned at Philippi, an example of the beatings Paul refers to in his autobiographical catalogue.
- Acts 14:19 (thematic): Report that Paul was stoned at Lystra; this incident corresponds to the ’once I was stoned’ item in Paul’s list immediately following the thirty‑nine lashes.
Alternative generated candidates
- From the Jews five times I received forty lashes less one.
- From the Jews five times I received forty lashes minus one.
2Cor.11.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τρις: ADV
- εραβδισθην: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,sg
- απαξ: ADV
- ελιθασθην: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,sg
- τρις: ADV
- εναυαγησα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- νυχθημερον: ADV
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- βυθω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- πεποιηκα·: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Acts 16:22-24 (verbal): Paul and Silas are beaten with many stripes/rods in Philippi — direct narrative parallel to “thrice I was beaten with rods.”
- Acts 14:19 (verbal): Paul is stoned at Lystra and left for dead — direct parallel to “once I was stoned.”
- Acts 27:27-44 (verbal): Account of Paul’s voyage and shipwreck on the way to Rome; includes prolonged danger at sea — parallels “three times I was shipwrecked” and being long in the deep.
- 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 (thematic): Paul lists hardships (toils, hungry, poorly clothed, reviled, persecuted) — thematically echoes the catalogue of sufferings in 2 Cor 11:25.
- Jonah 2:3 (allusion): Jonah’s imagery of being cast into the deep and surrounded by the waters resonates with Paul’s phrase about being in the deep (a night and a day) — a common biblical motif of peril at sea and deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I spent in the deep.
- Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I have spent adrift.
2Cor.11.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οδοιποριαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- πολλακις: ADV
- κινδυνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ποταμων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- κινδυνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ληστων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- κινδυνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- γενους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- κινδυνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- εξ: PREP
- εθνων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- κινδυνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- πολει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- κινδυνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ερημια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- κινδυνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- θαλασση: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- κινδυνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ψευδαδελφοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (structural): Immediate context: Paul continues the same catalogue of hardships and dangers (beatings, imprisonments, labors, journeys, and the list of specific dangers) of which v.26 is a part.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4-5 (verbal): Another Pauline catalogue of sufferings (beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings, fastings) that parallels the litany-of-dangers genre and the rhetoric of apostolic hardship.
- 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 (thematic): Paul lists personal hardships (toil, hunger, thirst, stripes, reviled, persecuted) — thematically parallel in portraying the apostle’s ongoing physical and social dangers and humiliations.
- Acts 27:13-44 (thematic): Narrative example of dangers 'at sea' and perilous journeys in Paul’s ministry (shipwreck and maritime peril), illustrating the concrete experiences behind the generalized list in 2 Cor 11:26.
- Matthew 10:16-23 (allusion): Jesus’ warning to disciples about persecutions — betrayal, arrest, suffering in cities and before authorities — echoes the themes of danger from peoples, cities, and false brothers found in Paul's list.
Alternative generated candidates
- On journeys often, in perils of rivers, in perils from robbers, in perils from my own people, in perils from Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils at sea, in perils among false brothers.
- On many journeys I have been, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers.
2Cor.11.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- κοπω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- μοχθω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- αγρυπνιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- πολλακις: ADV
- εν: PREP
- λιμω: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- διψει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- νηστειαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- πολλακις: ADV
- εν: PREP
- ψυχει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- γυμνοτητι·: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 11:23 (verbal): Paul continues a closely related autobiographical catalogue of sufferings (labors, imprisonments, beatings, deaths), paralleling the hardship list in 11:27.
- 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 (verbal): Paul uses nearly identical language about being hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed and treated as the scum of the earth, echoing the same themes of deprivation and humiliation.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (structural): Another Pauline catalogue of contrasts (honor/disgrace, suffering/joy, poor/rich, having nothing/possessing all) that parallels the rhetorical pattern of listing trials and hardships.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (thematic): Paul recalls his toil and labor in ministry ('we worked night and day'), reflecting the same theme of strenuous physical effort and sacrifice found in 11:27.
Alternative generated candidates
- In toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
- In toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
2Cor.11.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- παρεκτος: PREP
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επιστασις: NOUN,nom,sg,fem
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- καθ᾽ημεραν: ADV
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- μεριμνα: NOUN,nom,sg,fem
- πασων: ADJ,gen,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εκκλησιων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
Parallels
- Acts 20:28-31 (thematic): Paul's pastoral care for the churches—watching over the flock and warning them 'night and day with tears'—parallels the 'daily pressure' and concern for all the churches.
- Galatians 4:19 (verbal): Paul speaks of travailing for the believers until Christ is formed in them, expressing the same personal burden and anxious care for churches conveyed in 2 Cor 11:28.
- Romans 9:1-3 (thematic): Paul's intense sorrow and self-sacrificing concern for his people (willingness to be accursed) echoes the deep, burdensome care he describes for the churches.
- Philippians 2:20-21 (thematic): Paul contrasts his genuine concern for the Philippians with others who seek their own, underscoring his unique, continual care for the churches similar to the 'daily' concern in 2 Cor 11:28.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (thematic): Paul's tender, nurturing ministry ('like a nursing mother') and his sharing of life with the believers reflect the pastoral care and ongoing concern expressed in 2 Cor 11:28.
Alternative generated candidates
- Besides the things outside, there is the daily pressure upon me—the anxiety for all the churches.
- Apart from those things outside, there is the daily pressure upon me—that is, the care for all the churches.
2Cor.11.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ασθενει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ασθενω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- σκανδαλιζεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- πυρουμαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Romans 15:1 (thematic): Paul insists that the strong should bear the weaknesses of the weak—directly parallels his concern to share others' infirmities and not be indifferent.
- 1 Corinthians 9:22 (verbal): Paul says he became 'weak to win the weak,' echoing the same willingness to identify with and accommodate the weak implied in 2 Cor 11:29.
- Romans 12:15 (thematic): 'Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep' captures the empathetic solidarity expressed in 'Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I do not burn?'
- Galatians 6:2 (thematic): 'Bear one another's burdens' parallels Paul’s active commitment to share in others' struggles and sufferings.
- Hebrews 4:15 (thematic): Christ's sympathetic identification with human weakness provides the theological model for the kind of empathetic solidarity Paul claims in 2 Cor 11:29.
Alternative generated candidates
- Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
- Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I do not burn?
2Cor.11.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ει: PART
- καυχασθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ασθενειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- καυχησομαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Cor 12:9-10 (verbal): Paul explicitly repeats the theme of boasting in weakness—'I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses'—linking weakness to Christ's power.
- 2 Cor 4:7-12 (thematic): The image of a fragile vessel holding a treasure and the emphasis on suffering and weakness as the context for God's power parallels the boast in infirmity.
- 2 Cor 11:23-29 (structural): Immediate context where Paul catalogs his hardships and persecutions—concrete grounds for the ironic/defensive boasting about his weak and suffering condition.
- Gal 6:14 (thematic): Paul declares he will boast only in the cross of Christ, offering a contrasting nuance to boasting language—boasting focused on Christ's work rather than personal credentials.
- Rom 5:3-4 (thematic): The motif of 'glorying/boasting in tribulations' and suffering producing endurance and hope echoes the theology that suffering can be a reason for Christian boasting.
Alternative generated candidates
- If I must boast, I will boast of things that show my weakness.
- If I must boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain so that no one may think of me beyond what he sees in me or hears from me.
2Cor.11.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- οιδεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ευλογητος: PART,perf,pass,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αιωνας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- ψευδομαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Rom.9.1 (verbal): Paul uses nearly identical language ('I tell the truth in Christ — I am not lying') as a solemn personal assertion, echoing the 'οὐ ψεύδομαι' formula.
- Gal.1.20 (verbal): Another Pauline oath formula ('before God I lie not') that invokes God as witness to Paul's truthfulness; parallels the appeal to God who knows in 2 Cor 11:31.
- Titus 1.2 (thematic): Affirms God's truthfulness ('in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before'), thematically linked to invoking God's knowledge/truth as guarantee.
- Heb.6.18 (thematic): Speaks of God's impossibility to lie and the confirmation of God's promise by an oath — resonates with Paul calling God as divine witness to his honesty.
- 2Cor.1.23 (structural): Earlier in the same letter Paul again appeals to God as witness ('I call God to witness upon my soul')—a closely related rhetorical move to 11:31's divine attestation.
Alternative generated candidates
- The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
- The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows that I do not lie.
2Cor.11.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- Δαμασκω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εθναρχης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Αρετα: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- βασιλεως: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εφρουρει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πολιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- Δαμασκηνων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- πιασαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
Parallels
- Acts 9:23-25 (structural): Acts narrates the same episode: Jewish plots to kill Paul in Damascus, the city being watched, and his nighttime escape—corresponds directly to Paul’s claim that the ethnarch under King Aretas guarded the city to seize him.
- 2Corinthians 11:33 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same account in this letter: describes Paul being let down in a basket through a window in the wall to escape the men guarding Damascus.
- Galatians 1:17-18 (thematic): Paul’s autobiographical summary places him in Damascus after going to Arabia and before his first visit to Jerusalem, providing background chronology for the persecution and escape he mentions in 2 Cor 11:32.
- Acts 9:24 (verbal): Acts states that 'they were watching the gates day and night to kill him,' which parallels 2 Cor 11:32’s point that the city was guarded to seize Paul (the ethnarch’s watchfulness under Aretas).
Alternative generated candidates
- In Damascus the commander of the guard under King Aretas was guarding the city of the Damascenes, seeking to seize me.
- In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes to seize me.
2Cor.11.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- θυριδος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- σαργανη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εχαλασθην: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,sg
- δια: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- τειχους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- εξεφυγον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:23-25 (verbal): The same Damascus episode: Jews plot against Paul, disciples let him down in a basket through the wall so he escapes—narrative and wording closely parallel v.33.
- 2Cor.11:32 (structural): Immediate context to v.33; verse 32 names the governor under Aretas who guarded Damascus and provides the situation that makes the basket-escape necessary.
- 1Corinthians 4:11-13 (thematic): Paul’s catalogue of hardships and mistreatment (hunger, dishonor, persecution) parallels the theme of suffering and peril exemplified by the Damascus escape.
- 2Corinthians 6:4-5 (thematic): Another Corinthian passage listing afflictions (hardships, imprisonments, beatings) that echoes the motif of apostolic suffering found in 11:33.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I was let down in a basket through a window through the wall, and so I escaped from his hands.
- But I was let down in a basket through an opening in the city wall, and so escaped his hands.
I say again—let no one regard me as a fool; but if anyone thinks me foolish, bear with me, that I too may boast a little.
What I am saying I do not say as the Lord would; but as one who is foolish, in this boldness of boasting.
Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.
For you gladly endure fools, being wise yourselves.
For you put up with anyone who enslaves you, anyone who devours you, anyone who takes advantage of you, anyone who exalts himself, or anyone who strikes you in the face.
To my shame I say—we were weak. But in whatever anyone dares to boast, I speak like a fool—I also dare.
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.
Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as one more: in labors more abundant, in imprisonments more frequent, beaten times without number, often at the point of death.
Five times I received from the Jews the forty minus one lashes.
Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
In journeys often; in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles; in the city, in the wilderness, at sea; among false brothers.
In toil and hardship, many sleepless nights; in hunger and thirst, often without food; in cold and exposure.
Besides the things outside, there is the daily pressure of care for all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I am not indignant?
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes to seize me. But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall, and thus escaped his hands.