2 Corinthians 11:28
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Original Language Analysis
χωρὶς
Beside
G5565
χωρὶς
Beside
Strong's:
G5565
Word #:
1 of 14
at a space, i.e., separately or apart from (often as preposition)
τῶν
that which
G3588
τῶν
that which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
that which
G3588
τῶν
that which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπισύστασις
cometh upon
G1999
ἐπισύστασις
cometh upon
Strong's:
G1999
Word #:
5 of 14
a conspiracy, i.e., concourse (riotous or friendly)
τῶν
that which
G3588
τῶν
that which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθ'
G2596
καθ'
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
8 of 14
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἡμέραν
daily
G2250
ἡμέραν
daily
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
9 of 14
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
τῶν
that which
G3588
τῶν
that which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:17But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.Romans 15:16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.Acts 20:2And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,Acts 18:23And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.Colossians 2:1For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;Romans 16:4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.Romans 11:13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Historical Context
Paul's church-planting work across the Mediterranean created networks of congregations he remained responsible for. Letters like 2 Corinthians reveal ongoing crises requiring intervention. False teachers, moral failures, doctrinal confusion, relational conflict—all demanded Paul's attention. Communication was slow and travel difficult, increasing anxiety when problems arose.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's identification of daily pastoral anxiety as his greatest burden shape our view of what ministerial suffering primarily involves?
- In what ways might we wrongly separate physical/external suffering from the harder emotional/spiritual burden of caring for souls?
- What does it mean to carry 'the care of all the churches'—how do we balance healthy concern with debilitating anxiety?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. After the extensive physical sufferings catalog, Paul identifies the greatest burden: chōris tōn parektos (χωρὶς τῶν παρεκτός, 'apart from external things')—all the dangers and deprivations just listed. Hē epistasis moi hē kath' hēmeran (ἡ ἐπίστασίς μοι ἡ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, 'the daily pressure upon me')—relentless burden. Hē merimna pasōn tōn ekklēsiōn (ἡ μέριμνα πασῶν τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν, 'the care/anxiety for all the churches').
Merimna (μέριμνα, 'care/anxiety') describes pastoral concern—worry for their spiritual welfare, grief over their sin, fear of false teaching destroying them, longing for their maturity. This daily anxiety, Paul suggests, weighs heavier than beatings, shipwrecks, or starvation. Physical suffering ends; pastoral burden never ceases. All the churches emphasizes scope—not just Corinth but every congregation he planted or cared for.
This reveals apostolic ministry's true costliness: not primarily physical danger but emotional and spiritual burden. Paul carries the churches' struggles, sins, and sufferings on his heart constantly. This is what makes him 'spend and be spent' for them (12:15)—not just physical energy but spiritual-emotional investment unto exhaustion.