2 Corinthians 11 27

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 verses

2 Corinthians 11 27 Meaning

2 Corinthians 11:27 lists specific, intense physical sufferings and deprivations endured by the Apostle Paul for the sake of the Gospel. It vividly portrays his commitment through exhaustive labor, frequent sleeplessness, chronic hunger and thirst, and lack of proper protection against the elements. This inventory serves as authentic proof of his apostleship, contrasting with the comfortable lives of false teachers and highlighting the profound cost of his ministry.

2 Corinthians 11 27 Context

Chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians finds Paul engaged in an urgent defense of his apostolic authority and the true gospel against rival teachers in Corinth. These "super-apostles" (v. 5) are likely Jewish Christians, possibly influenced by Gnostic-like boasting in worldly achievements or impressive rhetoric, who disparaged Paul's perceived weaknesses, simple speaking, and lack of material self-enrichment.

In this "foolish boast" (v. 1, 16), Paul reluctantly lists his credentials, but instead of focusing on eloquence, wisdom, or wealth (which the false apostles would boast in), he paradoxically highlights his sufferings and weaknesses. Verse 27 is part of a longer, intense catalog of adversities (vv. 23-33) that demonstrates his unwavering commitment, self-sacrifice, and endurance. This list serves as a polemic against the "prosperity gospel" mentality or the notion that true divine favor meant an easy, comfortable life. Paul argues that his deep and sustained experience of hardship for Christ's sake is a greater mark of a genuine apostle than any superficial claim or material comfort, mirroring the suffering path of Christ himself. Travel in the ancient world was fraught with danger, deprivation, and vulnerability, especially for one lacking consistent material support and facing widespread opposition, making Paul's experiences typical for such a committed and radical missionary.

2 Corinthians 11 27 Word analysis

• in toil (ἐν κόπῳ - en kopō): This refers to exhausting labor, strenuous exertion to the point of weariness and fatigue. Paul uses it elsewhere to describe intense, self-sacrificial effort in ministry (1 Cor 15:10). It signifies diligent work with spiritual ends, not mere physical activity.
• and hardship (καὶ μόχθῳ - kai mochthō): Often paired with kopos, this term conveys difficulty, distress, or struggle, especially as a result of strenuous toil. It speaks to the oppressive trouble and demanding nature of his work, beyond just the effort itself.
• through many a sleepless night (ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις πολλάκις - en agrypniais pollakis):
  • ἀγρυπνίαις (agrypniais): Meaning "sleeplessness" or "wakefulness." This implies nights spent awake not just from insomnia but due to dangers, watchfulness for others, pressing responsibilities, prayer, or continuous travel.
  • πολλάκις (pollakis): "Often," "frequently." Emphasizes the recurring and consistent nature of these periods, not isolated events.
• in hunger (ἐν λιμῷ - en limō): Denotes acute and chronic lack of food, leading to physical suffering. This was a common plight for many in the ancient world and for itinerant preachers reliant on uncertain provision.
• and thirst (καὶ δίψει - kai dipsei): Companion to hunger, signifying severe lack of water, often more immediately distressing and dangerous.
• often without food (ἐν νηστείαις πολλάκις - en nēsteiais pollakis):
  • νηστείαις (nēsteiais): "Fasting." This can refer to both forced privation (lack of available food, a direct result of hunger) and voluntary spiritual discipline. Given the context, it predominantly points to situations where food was simply unavailable due to his challenging circumstances.
  • πολλάκις (pollakis): "Often." Again, stressing the frequency.
• in cold (ἐν ψύχει - en psychē): Signifies suffering from exposure to low temperatures, indicative of inadequate clothing or shelter. This highlights vulnerability and lack of basic protection.
• and exposure (καὶ γυμνότητι - kai gymnotēti):
  • γυμνότητι (gymnotēti): "Nakedness" or "insufficient clothing." This does not necessarily mean complete nudity, but rather the lack of proper, sufficient, or season-appropriate garments, leading to extreme vulnerability and often associated with poverty and social shame.

Words-group analysis:

• "in toil and hardship": These two terms are often found together, depicting a ministry characterized by both exhaustive effort and the significant difficulties or distress that result from such work. This implies a life of constant exertion and adversity, both physical and mental.
• "in hunger and thirst, often without food": This grouping emphasizes the fundamental lack of basic provisions. It paints a picture of sustained deprivation, where the body's essential needs for nourishment and hydration were frequently unmet, not as a temporary discomfort but a pervasive condition.
• "in cold and exposure": These phrases describe the lack of protection from the elements. Together, they illustrate vulnerability stemming from inadequate clothing and shelter, exposing Paul to the harsh realities of travel and life as a dispossessed, itinerant minister.

2 Corinthians 11 27 Bonus section

The entire list of Paul's sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 is a deliberate inversion of conventional "boasting." By listing his weaknesses, afflictions, and deprivations, Paul exemplifies a spiritual humility that stands in stark contrast to worldly pride. This "boasting in weakness" aligns directly with the message of the cross—a symbol of suffering and humiliation that became the power of God. The physical hardships endured by Paul are not presented as mere complaints, but as authentic evidence of his deep solidarity with the crucified Christ and his complete dependence on God. They are a tangible testimony to the "life of Jesus being manifested in his body" (2 Cor 4:10), allowing God's power to be visible precisely through his human frailty.

2 Corinthians 11 27 Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:27 is a raw, unvarnished depiction of the physical rigors Paul endured for Christ. It stands as an essential component of his counter-narrative against the false apostles who likely boasted of power and prosperity. Paul demonstrates that true apostolic credentials are found not in comfort or external success, but in self-sacrificial service that often leads to suffering. Each item in this verse highlights a profound level of self-denial and trust in God amidst acute physical need. The repetition of "often" (πολλάκις) throughout Paul's list underscores the habitual, relentless nature of these privations, not isolated incidents. His readiness to endure such an existence for the sake of the Gospel validates his sincerity and the divine power that sustained him through such weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10). It serves as a powerful reminder that following Christ, particularly in leadership, may often entail choosing a path of hardship and forsaking worldly ease. This list inspires perseverance and offers a profound redefinition of "strength" in Christian service, seeing God's power made perfect in weakness.