2 Corinthians 11 32

2 Corinthians 11:32 kjv

In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

2 Corinthians 11:32 nkjv

In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;

2 Corinthians 11:32 niv

In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.

2 Corinthians 11:32 esv

At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me,

2 Corinthians 11:32 nlt

When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 32 Meaning

In Damascus, the ethnarch under King Aretas was guarding the city with a garrison to seize Paul.

2 Corinthians 11 32 Context

This verse falls within Paul's extended defense of his apostleship in 2 Corinthians 10-13. He is exposing the false apostles who are undermining his ministry by discrediting him and elevating themselves. Paul, in his characteristic style of "foolish boasting" (11:1), recounts various instances of his suffering and near-death experiences as evidence of his authentic apostleship. This particular verse, 2 Corinthians 11:32, describes a specific incident in Damascus where his life was threatened and he had to be lowered out of the city in a basket to escape his enemies. This event serves as a concrete example of the persecutions he endured, demonstrating his commitment to the gospel despite constant danger. The broader context is a pastoral concern for the Corinthian church, which is being swayed by divisive forces. Paul is demonstrating that his authority comes not from self-promotion, but from his sacrificial service and the transformative power of Christ working through him, even in weakness.

2 Corinthians 11 32 Word Analysis

• Damascus: A significant ancient city in Syria. Its strategic location made it a key point of travel and commerce.

  • Historically, Damascus was a city with a prominent Jewish population and later, a growing Christian community. It was also a center of gentile influence.

• en (ἐν): A preposition meaning "in," "on," or "by." Here it signifies "in" or "at" the city of Damascus.

• Damascus (Δαμασκῷ): The dative case of Damascus, indicating the location.

• the city of Damascus (πόλει): Refers to the urban settlement itself.

• ten (δέ): A conjunction indicating continuation or transition.

• etharch (ἐθνάρχης): A Greek term referring to a leader or governor of a nation or a community within a larger state. In this context, it refers to the ruler of the Jewish community in Damascus, acting on behalf of King Aretas IV of Nabatea.

  • This term highlights a specific political and ethnic arrangement at the time.

• under Aretas (Ὑπὸ Ἀρέτα): A prepositional phrase indicating subordination or authority. Aretas IV was the king of the Nabateans, an Arab kingdom.

  • The presence of Aretas's authority in Damascus indicates a complex geopolitical situation, likely involving Roman suzerainty with regional rulers holding significant power.

• King Aretas (βασιλέως Ἀρέτα): King Aretas refers to Aretas IV Philhellen, king of the Nabataean kingdom from 9 BC to 40 AD.

  • Aretas IV had prior dealings with Rome and also had influence over areas previously controlled by the Seleucids. His involvement in Damascus underscores the localized power struggles and the targeting of early Christians by various authorities who viewed them as a disruptive element.

• was guarding ( ἐφρούρει): The imperfect active indicative of φρουρέω (froureō), meaning "to guard," "to keep watch," "to protect," or "to garrison."

  • The imperfect tense emphasizes a continuous action – he was actively maintaining a watch or guard. This suggests an ongoing effort to apprehend Paul.

• the city (τὴν πόλιν): The accusative case of πόλις (polis), referring to the city of Damascus again, emphasizing the target of the security measure.

• with a garrison (φρουρίῳ): The dative case of φρούριον (phrourion), meaning "a garrison," "a fortified place," or "a guard post."

  • This word indicates the presence of soldiers or armed men responsible for the guard duty, adding to the intensity and danger of the situation. It implies organized military or security personnel.

• to seize (τοῦ ἑλεῖν): The genitive active infinitive of αἱρέω (haireō), meaning "to take," "to capture," or "to seize."

  • This infinitive expresses purpose – the purpose of the guard was to seize Paul.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "etharch under Aretas the king was guarding the city": This phrase succinctly depicts the political and administrative context. The ethnarch, a leader responsible for a specific ethnic group, was acting under the authority of King Aretas. Their collective action was to secure Damascus, implying that Paul was considered a person of interest or a threat requiring such measures.
  • "with a garrison to seize Paul": This part of the verse details the method and objective of the operation. A "garrison" suggests a military or police force, implying significant resources were deployed. The ultimate goal was the "seizure" of Paul, indicating an intent to capture and likely bring him to trial or prevent his movement.

2 Corinthians 11 32 Bonus Section

This specific event of Paul's escape from Damascus is recounted in Acts 9:25. The context provided by the book of Acts, a historical record of the early church, is crucial for understanding the backdrop against which Paul is writing these letters. The mention of King Aretas also aligns with historical records from historians like Josephus, which shed light on the regional powers of that era. Paul's willingness to detail such a potentially embarrassing or fear-inducing incident in a public letter to the Corinthians demonstrates his vulnerability and authenticity, serving to build trust and demonstrate his genuine dedication to the Gospel despite immense personal risk. This episode serves as a powerful testament to divine protection and Paul's unwavering commitment to the mission entrusted to him.

2 Corinthians 11 32 Commentary

This verse highlights a critical moment in Paul's early ministry where his life was actively endangered. The fact that the "etharch under Aretas the king" mobilized a garrison to seize Paul underscores the political and social ramifications of Paul's preaching. It wasn't just Jewish opposition, but governmental authorities and other ethnic leaders were aware of and concerned about the spread of the gospel. Paul’s eventual escape via a basket lowered through the city wall, as described in Acts 9:25, showcases his reliance on God and the resourcefulness of his followers even in perilous situations. This experience emphasizes that Paul's apostleship was marked by real danger and hardship, validating his claims in contrast to the superficial claims of false apostles. It illustrates that genuine ministry often involves opposition from the world's powers, and that God provides a way of escape and preservation.