2 Corinthians 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.
Original Language Analysis
διάκονοι
ministers
G1249
διάκονοι
ministers
Strong's:
G1249
Word #:
1 of 19
an attendant, i.e., (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon)
ὑπὲρ
am more
G5228
ὑπὲρ
am more
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
6 of 19
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
κόποις
labours
G2873
κόποις
labours
Strong's:
G2873
Word #:
9 of 19
a cut, i.e., (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains
πληγαῖς
stripes
G4127
πληγαῖς
stripes
Strong's:
G4127
Word #:
12 of 19
a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity
φυλακαῖς
prisons
G5438
φυλακαῖς
prisons
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
15 of 19
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.2 Corinthians 6:9As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;2 Corinthians 3:6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.Acts 9:16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.Colossians 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:Colossians 1:29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.1 Corinthians 3:5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?2 Timothy 2:9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.Philemon 1:9Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
The Acts narrative records some of Paul's imprisonments and beatings (Acts 16:22-24; 21:30-33) but not all mentioned here. His missionary journeys involved constant danger (2 Cor 1:8-10; Acts 14:19; 19:23-41). The false apostles likely had no comparable suffering, suggesting their gospel was popular, not costly—a false gospel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's catalog of sufferings challenge contemporary measures of ministerial success—numbers, budgets, buildings, influence?
- In what ways might absence of suffering for Christ indicate compromise rather than blessing?
- What would church culture look like if we honored scars more than credentials, sacrifice more than success?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. The climactic comparison begins: diakonoi Christou eisin (διάκονοι Χριστοῦ εἰσίν, 'are they ministers of Christ?'). Paul's answer hyper egō (ὑπὲρ ἐγώ, 'more I!')—grammatically fragmented by emotion. The parenthetical paraphronōn lalō (παραφρονῶν λαλῶ, 'I speak as one beside himself') indicates he knows this sounds mad.
The catalog of sufferings authenticates true apostolic ministry: in labours more abundant (en kopois perissoterōs, ἐν κόποις περισσοτέρως)—toilsome work unto exhaustion. In stripes above measure (en plēgais hyperballontōs, ἐν πληγαῖς ὑπερβαλλόντως)—beatings beyond counting. In prisons more frequent (en phylakais perissoterōs, ἐν φυλακαῖς περισσοτέρως)—imprisonments exceeding the norm. In deaths oft (en thanatois pollakis, ἐν θανάτοις πολλάκις)—near-death experiences repeatedly.
This inverts worldly boasting entirely. True servants of Christ are identified not by ease but by suffering, not by success but by sacrifice, not by acclaim but by affliction. Paul's 'more' is not more visions or more converts but more beatings and more imprisonments. This is the credentials list of cruciform ministry.