2 Corinthians 11:27
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Original Language Analysis
κόπῳ
weariness
G2873
κόπῳ
weariness
Strong's:
G2873
Word #:
2 of 18
a cut, i.e., (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
νηστείαις
fastings
G3521
νηστείαις
fastings
Strong's:
G3521
Word #:
13 of 18
abstinence (from lack of food, or voluntary and religious); specially, the fast of the day of atonement
Cross References
2 Corinthians 6:5In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;1 Thessalonians 2:9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.Philippians 4:12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.2 Thessalonians 3:8Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:Hebrews 11:37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;Acts 14:23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.Jeremiah 38:9My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.1 Corinthians 7:5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.2 Corinthians 11:23Are 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.
Historical Context
Paul's tentmaking trade (Acts 18:3) involved manual labor to support himself. This, combined with extensive ministry, left little time for sleep. Travel on foot through varying climates without modern conveniences meant exposure to hunger, thirst, cold, and inadequate shelter. Paul's voluntary poverty for the gospel's sake meant enduring deprivation wealthy false teachers avoided.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's daily experience of hunger, cold, exhaustion, and sleeplessness challenge prosperity gospel claims that God always grants health and wealth to the faithful?
- In what ways might modern ministry's professionalization and comfort insulate us from the suffering Paul considered normal for apostolic work?
- What would it mean to embrace voluntary poverty and physical hardship for gospel advance rather than seeking financial security first?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Five more categories of suffering focus on physical deprivation and exhaustion: en kopō kai mochthō (ἐν κόπῳ καὶ μόχθῳ, 'in labor and toil')—overlapping synonyms emphasizing exhausting work. En agrypniais pollakis (ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις πολλάκις, 'in sleeplessness often')—vigilance from danger or work preventing rest.
In hunger and thirst (en limō kai dipsei, ἐν λιμῷ καὶ δίψει)—involuntary deprivation from poverty or travel. In fastings often (en nēsteiais pollakis, ἐν νηστείαις πολλάκις)—voluntary spiritual discipline or forced by circumstances. In cold and nakedness (en psychei kai gymnōtēti, ἐν ψύχει καὶ γυμνότητι)—exposure to elements, inadequate clothing.
The cumulative effect is devastating: Paul's life involved relentless physical hardship—exhausting labor, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, fasting, cold, insufficient clothing. This was daily reality, not occasional crisis. The repeated pollakis (πολλάκις, 'often') underscores frequency. This is the lifestyle of someone who 'became poor that ye through his poverty might be rich' (8:9), following Christ's own pattern.