(2Co 11:24) “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.”  God’s law said, (Deu_25:3) “Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.”  So, one less to be sure as not to break God’s law. The saved are not condemned by law but it does not mean we should not care about offending our Lord.

(2Co 11:23) “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.”  Paul was put in situations for the sake of the gospel, whether it was direct persecution or traveling to give the gospel, of facing death – often. I once faced sudden death. My first reaction – fear; then I said, “O.k. Lord. Take me”; and a peace only experienced there flooded my soul.

(2Co 11:23) “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent,…”  There are only a few times we are informed of the imprisonments of Paul. As you will continue to see, there is much of Paul’s hardships we have not been informed. Consider: the Holy Spirit is holding forth these things as “merit”. Praise to the Lord!

(2Co 11:23) “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure,…”   You and I find ourselves moaning over the trying and exhausting efforts of our service. Then, with shame we read something like what is before us: Paul had lost count of the number of physical blows laid upon him for preaching the gospel. It seems our sacrifices have been little after all.

(2Co 11:16) “I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little..(.2Co 11:23)  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant,…”  If one’s work was measured in terms of time, Paul’s was hard to top. I can say from experience, in the Lord’s work it seemed that no matter how much I did – there was more that should have been done.

 (2Co 11:21) “I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. (22) Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.”  Consider that before one’s salvation, a Jewish person might very well have been looked down upon. Oh, but once one met Jesus as Savor, the Jews became a favored people of the heart.

(2Co 11:19) “For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. (20) For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.”  What carnal man thinks regarding the things of God are opposite from the ways of spirituality. Carnality excepts from those in authority what should be exposed by the revealed Word of God. Instead, they suffer it.

(2Co 11:16) “I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little (17)  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.”  Having stated that boasting is not the way of God, the Holy Spirit has Paul demonstrate how he “could have” done so. In other words, he could have, but didn’t, because such is not the way of God: (Mat 20:27) “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” 

WATER  (2Co 11:16) “I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little (17)  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.”  Paul was not sent to them, nor had presented himself to them presenting letters of authority, nor speaking of himself in self-exalting terms. Such is not the way of a true servant of God. The message is the authority. God’s true children will recognize it.

(2Co 11:17) “That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. (18)  Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. (19) For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.”  Remember, the wisdom of this world is in contrast, not agreement, with the wisdom of God. So often, when you hear discussions about the things of God, you hear, “I think…” That means my opinion should have merit. Our conclusions should be drawn upon the Bible so that we might say, “The Bible says”.