2 Corinthians 6 5

2 Corinthians 6:5 kjv

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

2 Corinthians 6:5 nkjv

in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;

2 Corinthians 6:5 niv

in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;

2 Corinthians 6:5 esv

beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;

2 Corinthians 6:5 nlt

We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

2 Corinthians 6 verses

2 Corinthians 6 5 Meaning

The Apostle Paul, alongside his fellow ministers, enumerated various hardships and self-imposed disciplines they endured in service to Christ. This verse highlights their authentic commitment to the gospel, demonstrating their status as genuine servants of God not through external show or personal gain, but through resilient suffering and diligent self-sacrifice for the sake of the church and the spread of God's Word. These trials underscored the divine power sustaining them, rather than their own human strength.

2 Corinthians 6 5 Context

This verse is embedded in Paul's impassioned defense of his apostolic ministry to the Corinthian church (2 Cor 2:14–7:4). Having addressed criticisms against his authenticity and authority, Paul appeals to the Corinthians to open their hearts to him and his co-workers. He presents a list of distinguishing marks of a true servant of God, contrasting these with the characteristics of the "super-apostles" (2 Cor 11:5, 12:11) who advocated for a ministry of power, worldly rhetoric, and personal ease. Chapter 6 specifically opens with Paul's appeal as a "fellow worker," urging them not to receive God's grace in vain (v. 1). He then enumerates his and his colleagues' qualifications through patient endurance in sufferings, the integrity of their character, and the spiritual power accompanying their ministry. Verse 5 focuses on the physical and external hardships, along with self-imposed disciplines, that exemplified their sincere dedication and proved them worthy of being ministers of reconciliation, making it evident that their service was from God and not for human comfort.

2 Corinthians 6 5 Word analysis

• in beatings (ἐν πληγαῖς - en plēgais):

  • Greek word refers to blows, stripes, or wounds.
  • Signifies severe physical abuse endured for the sake of the gospel.
  • A common experience for apostles, highlighting their vulnerability and suffering.
  • Contrasted with the comfortable existence promoted by false teachers.

• in imprisonments (ἐν φυλακαῖς - en phylakais):

  • Refers to confinement, jails, or places of custody.
  • Indicates a loss of freedom, a consequence of preaching the message.
  • Echoes the suffering of prophets and righteous individuals in both Old and New Testaments.
  • Emphasizes the sacrifice of personal liberty for Christ.

• in riots (ἐν ἀκαταστασίαις - en akatastasíais):

  • Denotes disturbances, disorders, public unrest, or tumults.
  • Refers to mob violence and societal chaos incited by opposition to the gospel.
  • Illustrates the perilous and often violent environments where the gospel was preached.
  • Signifies confronting strong, public hostility.

• in labors (ἐν κόποις - en kópois):

  • Means strenuous effort, hard toil, exhausting work.
  • Encompasses both the demanding spiritual work of ministry (preaching, teaching, counseling) and often manual labor Paul performed to support himself and not burden the churches.
  • Highlights diligent and unwearying service, showing true dedication beyond minimal expectation.

• in sleepless nights (ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις - en agrypníais):

  • Literally "watchings," meaning loss of sleep, often from vigils, worries, travel, or dedicated prayer.
  • Points to physical exhaustion from relentless activity, pastoral concerns, or dangers encountered during ministry.
  • Demonstrates tireless commitment and a willingness to forgo personal rest.

• in fastings (ἐν νηστείαις - en nēsteiais):

  • Refers to abstinence from food.
  • Could be both involuntary (due to hardship or scarcity) or voluntary (for spiritual discipline, intense prayer, or mourning).
  • Indicates self-denial and spiritual earnestness, aligning the body with spiritual focus.
  • Reflects identification with the suffering of others or devotion to God.

2 Corinthians 6 5 Bonus section

These descriptions of hardship served a dual purpose in Paul's defense: they disproved accusations of self-indulgence or opportunism by his critics, and they also stood as an apologetic for the genuine power of the gospel. While the Greco-Roman world generally viewed public beatings, imprisonment, and manual labor as signs of shame, dishonor, or weakness, Paul reframes them as marks of honor and divine strength within the Kingdom of God. This inversion of worldly values highlights a profound theological truth: that God's power is often made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10). The willingness to endure such an existence for the sake of others and for God's glory served as compelling evidence of their supernatural calling and the transformative power of their message.

2 Corinthians 6 5 Commentary

This verse functions as a powerful testament to Paul's authenticity and the true nature of apostolic ministry. It rejects worldly criteria for success—ease, status, or material comfort—and replaces them with the tangible marks of suffering and sacrifice endured for Christ. Paul's list is not a boast but an appeal, underscoring that his life aligned with the very suffering he proclaimed about Christ. These afflictions were not incidental but integral, demonstrating reliance on divine power, selflessness, and patient endurance—qualities essential for any genuine servant of God, setting them apart from those who might seek gain or acclaim. It presents a robust, enduring model of servanthood in the face of immense challenge.