2 Corinthians 11:32
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλέως
the king
G935
βασιλέως
the king
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
7 of 14
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
ἐφρούρει
kept
G5432
ἐφρούρει
kept
Strong's:
G5432
Word #:
8 of 14
to be a watcher in advance, i.e., to mount guard as a sentinel (post spies at gates); figuratively, to hem in, protect
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλιν
the city
G4172
πόλιν
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
11 of 14
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
Historical Context
Aretas IV was king of Nabatea (Petra) from 9 BC to AD 40. How Damascus came under his control is debated—possibly Caligula granted it, or Nabatean ethnarch controlled the Jewish quarter. Acts 9:23-25 says Jews plotted to kill Paul; 2 Corinthians says Aretas's governor sought him. Possibly Jewish leaders enlisted governmental help, or Paul faced dual threats.
Questions for Reflection
- Why would Paul 'boast' of a humiliating escape that makes him look like a fugitive rather than a triumphant apostle?
- How does the Damascus escape establish the pattern of God working through Paul's weakness that continues throughout his ministry?
- In what ways does including historically verifiable details (Aretas, Damascus) ground Paul's claims in fact and challenge accusation of fabrication?
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Analysis & Commentary
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me. Paul recounts his humiliating Damascus escape (cf. Acts 9:23-25) as the climax of his 'boasting in weakness.' En Damaskō ho ethnarchēs Areta tou basileōs (ἐν Δαμασκῷ ὁ ἐθνάρχης Ἀρέτα τοῦ βασιλέως, 'in Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king')—historical precision identifying the Nabatean king Aretas IV (9 BC - AD 40).
Ephrourei tēn polin Damaskēnōn (ἐφρούρει τὴν πόλιν Δαμασκηνῶν, 'guarded the city of the Damascenes')—military occupation or control. Piasai me thelōn (πιάσαί με θέλων, 'wishing to seize me')—official manhunt for Paul. The verb ephrourei (ἐφρούρει, 'kept guard') implies systematic surveillance, posting guards at city gates to prevent escape.
Why include this story in a boasting catalog? Because it's the opposite of triumphant apostolic ministry—fleeing for his life, smuggled out like a criminal, undignified escape. Yet it demonstrates God's deliverance through weakness and establishes the pattern of Paul's ministry: not power and victory but vulnerability and God's saving grace. The story also dates Paul's conversion precisely (Aretas IV's reign), grounding his claims in verifiable history.