2 Corinthians 11:27 kjv
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2 Corinthians 11:27 nkjv
in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness?
2 Corinthians 11:27 niv
I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
2 Corinthians 11:27 esv
in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
2 Corinthians 11:27 nlt
I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
2 Corinthians 11 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 6:5 | “in labors—often.” | Underscores repeated suffering and toil. |
| Phil 4:12 | “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, of abundance and need.” | Illustrates Paul's endurance and contentment. |
| Acts 18:3 | “By trade he was a tentmaker.” | Context of Paul's self-support through labor. |
| 2 Cor 11:22-23 | Lists his credentials as a minister of Christ. | Setting for Paul's self-defense. |
| Gal 6:17 | “From now on let no one make trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” | Reinforces his suffering as proof. |
| 2 Thes 3:8-9 | “nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you.” | Shows his diligent, self-supported labor. |
| 1 Cor 4:11-12 | “To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and beaten and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands.” | Similar listing of hardships. |
| 1 Cor 15:30-32 | “Why do we also stand in peril every hour? I protest, by the boasting in you, brothers, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” | Emphasizes the daily struggle and danger. |
| Rom 8:35-37 | “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” | Shows that suffering does not sever love. |
| Matt 19:29 | “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” | Rewards for sacrifices made for Christ. |
| Luke 14:26-27 | “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” | Commitment requires forsaking earthly ties. |
| Acts 14:19-20 | “But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowd, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But when the disciples surrounded him, he rose and went into the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.” | Example of severe physical persecution. |
| 2 Cor 11:32-33 | “In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to catch me, and I was let down through a window in a basket by the wall, and escaped from his hands.” | A specific instance of great danger. |
| Rev 7:14 | “I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’” | Saints suffer but emerge victorious. |
| Heb 11:35-38 | Lists Old Testament saints who suffered for their faith. | Historical precedent for enduring hardship. |
| Phil 1:29 | “It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” | Suffering is a grace for Christ’s sake. |
| Col 1:24 | “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” | Suffering has redemptive purpose. |
| John 16:33 | “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” | Assurance of Christ's victory amid trials. |
| Matt 5:10-12 | “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” | Beatitude on persecution. |
| Ps 44:22 | “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” | Old Testament expression of persecution. |
| Acts 20:23 | “except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city thatțion and hard*ship await me.” | Foreknowledge of suffering. |
2 Corinthians 11 verses
2 Corinthians 11 27 Meaning
Paul is listing the hardships he endured for the sake of the Gospel. This verse details his physical exhaustion, lack of rest, and the constant toil and suffering he faced in his ministry.
2 Corinthians 11 27 Context
In 2 Corinthians chapter 11, Paul is presenting his apostolic authority to the Corinthian church, which had been infiltrated by "false apostles" who questioned his legitimacy. He is intentionally humbling himself and highlighting his suffering for Christ to contrast with the boasting of his opponents. This verse is part of a longer passage (2 Corinthians 11:22-33) where Paul lists numerous hardships and persecutions he has endured. He contrasts these with the achievements and apparent prestige of the false apostles, demonstrating that true apostleship is marked by sacrificial service and suffering, not worldly accolades.
2 Corinthians 11 27 Word Analysis
- καὶ (kai): A conjunction, meaning "and." Connects this clause to the preceding list of sufferings.
- ἔσχον (eschon): Aorist indicative active of ἔχω (echō), meaning "to have," "to hold," "to endure," "to experience." Here, it implies experiencing or enduring these conditions.
- κόπον (kopon): Accusative singular of κόπος (kopos), meaning "labor," "toil," "effort," "trouble," "weariness." Refers to strenuous work or hardship that causes exhaustion.
- καὶ (kai): "and."
- μόχθον (mochthon): Accusative singular of μόχθος (mochthos), meaning "hardship," "toil," "suffering," "struggle." Similar to κόπος but often suggesting more intense, arduous, and prolonged difficulty.
- καὶ (kai): "and."
- ἀγρυπνίαν (agrypnian): Accusative singular of ἀγρυπνία (agrypnia), meaning "sleeplessness," "watching," "wakefulness," "vigil." It refers to a lack of sleep, often due to constant labor, anxiety, or vigilance.
Words-Group Analysis
- κόπον καὶ μόχθον (kopon kai mochthon): This pairing of words emphasizes the relentless and arduous nature of Paul's work. "Kopon" refers to the expenditure of effort and energy leading to weariness, while "mochthon" intensifies this, speaking of burdensome and strenuous labor that tests one's limits. Together, they paint a vivid picture of relentless, exhausting, and difficult service.
- ἀγρυπνίαν (agrypnian): The inclusion of "sleeplessness" immediately following "toil and hardship" highlights the continuous nature of his struggle. It suggests nights spent working, praying, worrying, or escaping danger, without adequate rest. This cumulative lack of sleep would further exacerbate the effects of physical toil and emotional stress.
2 Corinthians 11 27 Bonus Section
This verse contributes to the overarching theme of suffering as an integral part of Christian discipleship and ministry, as exemplified by Christ himself. The "often" (πολλάκις - pollakis) implies that these instances were not isolated events but a recurring pattern in his life, underscoring his steadfastness despite persistent challenges. This commitment to endure hardship rather than retreat is a hallmark of true leadership in the Kingdom of God. Paul's transparency here contrasts sharply with those who prioritize a false image of success and comfort, highlighting the deceptive nature of superficial ministry. His suffering served a dual purpose: it tested and strengthened him, and it validated his apostolic calling to those in Corinth.
2 Corinthians 11 27 Commentary
Paul's statement, "in toil and hardship, and in sleepless sleepless nights, often," is a stark declaration of the physical toll his ministry took. This wasn't about seeking sympathy but about demonstrating authenticity. While his opponents might have boasted in their achievements or theological knowledge, Paul countered with the verifiable reality of his suffering. This list serves as undeniable evidence of his commitment to Christ and the church. It shows that his apostleship was not one of ease or privilege, but of sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering perseverance. His hardships were often endured for the sake of the Gospel and the people he served, reinforcing the truth that genuine ministry often involves intense effort and personal cost.