2 Corinthians 11:26
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Original Language Analysis
ποταμῶν
of waters
G4215
ποταμῶν
of waters
Strong's:
G4215
Word #:
4 of 24
a current, brook or freshet (as drinkable), i.e., running water
ἐξ
by
G1537
ἐξ
by
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
8 of 24
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
γένους
mine own countrymen
G1085
γένους
mine own countrymen
Strong's:
G1085
Word #:
9 of 24
"kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective)
ἐξ
by
G1537
ἐξ
by
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
11 of 24
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἐθνῶν
the heathen
G1484
ἐθνῶν
the heathen
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
12 of 24
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
πόλει
the city
G4172
πόλει
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
15 of 24
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
Cross References
Acts 14:5And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,Acts 17:5But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.Acts 20:19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:Acts 25:3And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.Acts 13:50But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
Historical Context
Ancient travel was extremely hazardous. Roman roads improved safety but robbers still plagued routes. Rivers lacked bridges, requiring dangerous fording. Cities could turn into riot scenes (Acts 17:5; 19:23-41). Wilderness travel exposed travelers to animals, weather, and bandits. Sea travel risked storms and shipwreck. Paul faced all these plus persecution from both Jews and Gentiles.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's eight-fold catalog of dangers reveal that gospel ministry involves comprehensive risk, not selective courage in comfortable areas?
- Why might 'perils among false brethren' be listed last—what makes betrayal by professing Christians especially dangerous?
- What risks are we unwilling to take for gospel advance that Paul routinely endured as normal apostolic life?
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Analysis & Commentary
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren. Eight categories of kindynois (κινδύνοις, 'dangers/perils') cascade in rapid succession, creating a comprehensive catalog of threats Paul faced. The anaphoric repetition kindynois... kindynois... kindynois (eight times) hammers home the relentless nature of apostolic hazards.
Journeyings often (hodoiporiais pollakis, ὁδοιποριαῖς πολλάκις)—constant travel on foot through dangerous terrain. Perils of waters—flooded rivers without bridges. Perils of robbers (lēstōn, ληστῶν)—bandits infesting trade routes. By mine own countrymen... by the heathen—Jews and Gentiles both threatened him. In the city... in the wilderness—urban mobs and rural isolation both dangerous. In the sea—echoing the shipwrecks. Among false brethren (en pseudadelphois, ἐν ψευδαδέλφοις)—the worst danger, betrayal by supposed Christians.
The final danger is most painful—not external enemies but internal traitors. Pseudadelphoi (ψευδαδέλφοις, 'false brothers') likely refers to Judaizers and false teachers who infiltrated churches to undermine Paul's gospel (Gal 2:4). Physical dangers Paul could endure; spiritual subversion by counterfeit believers cut deeper.