Go
Articles on

2 Corinthians 11

2 Cor. 11:23 KJV (With Strong’s)

+
23
Are they
eisi (Greek #1526)
they are
KJV usage: agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.
Pronounce: i-see'
Origin: 3d person plural present indicative of 1510
ministers
diakonos (Greek #1249)
an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess)
KJV usage: deacon, minister, servant.
Pronounce: dee-ak'-on-os
Origin: probably from an obsolete διάκω (to run on errands; compare 1377)
of Christ
Christos (Greek #5547)
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
KJV usage: Christ.
Pronounce: khris-tos'
Origin: from 5548
? (I
ego (Greek #1473)
a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)
KJV usage: I, me. For the other cases and the plural see 1691, 1698, 1700, 2248, 2249, 2254, 2257, etc.
Pronounce: eg-o'
speak
laleo (Greek #2980)
to talk, i.e. utter words
KJV usage: preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare 3004.
Pronounce: lal-eh'-o
Origin: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb
as a fool
paraphroneo (Greek #3912)
to misthink, i.e. be insane (silly)
KJV usage: as a fool.
Pronounce: par-af-ron-eh'-o
Origin: from 3844 and 5426
) I
huper (Greek #5228)
"over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than
KJV usage: (+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.
Pronounce: hoop-er'
Origin: a primary preposition
am more
huper (Greek #5228)
"over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than
KJV usage: (+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.
Pronounce: hoop-er'
Origin: a primary preposition
; in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
labors
kopos (Greek #2873)
a cut, i.e. (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains
KJV usage: labour, + trouble, weariness.
Pronounce: kop'-os
Origin: from 2875
g more abundant
perissoteros (Greek #4056)
more superabundantly
KJV usage: more abundant(-ly), X the more earnest, (more) exceedingly, more frequent, much more, the rather.
Pronounce: per-is-sot-er'-oce
Origin: adverb from 4055
, in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
stripes
plege (Greek #4127)
a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity
KJV usage: plague, stripe, wound(-ed).
Pronounce: play-gay'
Origin: from 4141
h above measure
huperballontos (Greek #5234)
excessively
KJV usage: beyond measure.
Pronounce: hoop-er-bal-lon'-toce
Origin: adverb from present participle active of 5235
, in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
prisons
phulake (Greek #5438)
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or night), literally or figuratively
KJV usage: cage, hold, (im-)prison(-ment), ward, watch.
Pronounce: foo-lak-ay'
Origin: from 5442
more frequent
perissoteros (Greek #4056)
more superabundantly
KJV usage: more abundant(-ly), X the more earnest, (more) exceedingly, more frequent, much more, the rather.
Pronounce: per-is-sot-er'-oce
Origin: adverb from 4055
, in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
deaths
thanatos (Greek #2288)
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: X deadly, (be...) death.
Pronounce: than'-at-os
Origin: from 2348
k oft
pollakis (Greek #4178)
many times, i.e. frequently
KJV usage: oft(-en, -entimes, -times).
Pronounce: pol-lak'-is
Origin: multiplicative adverb from 4183
.
g
1 Cor. 15:10• 10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Cor. 15:10)
h
Acts 9:16• 16For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:16)
;
Acts 20:23• 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. (Acts 20:23)
;
Acts 21:11• 11And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. (Acts 21:11)
k
1 Cor. 15:30‑32• 30And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
 31I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
 32If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. (1 Cor. 15:30‑32)

More on:

+
Christ,
Minister,
Prison

Cross References

+

Ministry on This Verse

+
ministers.
2 Cor. 3:6• 6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Cor. 3:6)
;
2 Cor. 6:4• 4But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, (2 Cor. 6:4)
;
1 Cor. 3:5• 5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? (1 Cor. 3:5)
;
1 Cor. 4:1• 1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Cor. 4:1)
;
1 Thess. 3:2• 2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlaborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: (1 Thess. 3:2)
;
1 Tim. 4:6• 6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. (1 Tim. 4:6)
I am.
2 Cor. 11:5• 5For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. (2 Cor. 11:5)
;
2 Cor. 12:11‑12• 11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
 12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Cor. 12:11‑12)
in labours.
1 Cor. 15:10• 10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Cor. 15:10)
;
Col. 1:29• 29Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. (Col. 1:29)
in stripes.
2 Cor. 11:24‑25• 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; (2 Cor. 11:24‑25)
;
2 Cor. 6:4‑5• 4But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
 5In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; (2 Cor. 6:4‑5)
;
Acts 9:16• 16For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:16)
in prison.
Acts 9:16• 16For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:16)
;
Acts 16:24• 24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. (Acts 16:24)
;
Acts 20:23• 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. (Acts 20:23)
;
Acts 21:11• 11And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. (Acts 21:11)
;
Acts 24:26‑27• 26He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
 27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. (Acts 24:26‑27)
;
Acts 25:14• 14And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: (Acts 25:14)
;
Acts 27:1• 1And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. (Acts 27:1)
;
Acts 28:16,30• 16And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
 30And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, (Acts 28:16,30)
;
Eph. 3:1• 1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (Eph. 3:1)
;
Eph. 4:1• 1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (Eph. 4:1)
;
Eph. 6:20• 20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:20)
;
Phil. 1:13• 13So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; (Phil. 1:13)
;
2 Tim. 1:8,16• 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
 16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: (2 Tim. 1:8,16)
;
2 Tim. 2:9• 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. (2 Tim. 2:9)
;
Philem. 9• 9Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. (Philem. 9)
;
Heb. 10:34• 34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. (Heb. 10:34)
in deaths.
2 Cor. 1:9‑10• 9But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
 10Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; (2 Cor. 1:9‑10)
;
2 Cor. 4:11• 11For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor. 4:11)
;
2 Cor. 6:9• 9As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; (2 Cor. 6:9)
;
Acts 14:19• 19And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. (Acts 14:19)
;
1 Cor. 15:30‑32• 30And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
 31I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
 32If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. (1 Cor. 15:30‑32)
;
Phil. 2:17• 17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. (Phil. 2:17)
;
Col. 1:24• 24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: (Col. 1:24)
• It is hardly exposition that is needed here, but thanksgiving for the grace bestowed of God on a man of like passions with ourselves, when the eye surveys such a roll of suffering labor for Christ (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 11:22-33” by W. Kelly)
• Here in fact God has allowed this invasion of the Apostle’s work by these wretched Judaizing men (calling themselves Christians) to be the means of acquainting us with something of the indefatigable labors of the Apostle, carried on in a thousand circumstances of which we have no account. In the Acts, God has given us the history of the establishment of the assembly in the great principles on which it was founded, and the phases through which it passed on coming out of Judaism. The Apostle will have his own reward in the kingdom of glory, not by speaking of it among men. (“2 Corinthians 11” by J.N. Darby)
• He turns from his very abundant labors to the excess of stripes which had befallen him, his very abundant imprisonments, and his frequent exposures to death. Those who sought to undermine him might boast of their learning or their originality, their logic or their imagination, their depth of thought or their piquancy of illustration. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 11:22-33” by W. Kelly)
• He puts them to shame with (not miracles but) sufferings. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 11:22-33” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

+
23
Are they ministersa of Christ? (I speak as being beside myself) *I* above measure sob; in labours exceedingly abundant, in stripes to excess, in prisons exceedingly abundant, in deaths oft.

JND Translation Notes

+
a
Diakonos. see Note. 1 Cor. 4.1.
b
The word here translated "above measure" is so used constantly by the apostle, though not indeed separated from the word it refers to. But I do not find that it is used adverbially for "more than"; and the expression "as being beside myself" seems to refer to the extra-ordinariness of what he was saying, for he felt that to say "minister of Christ" was to say all that was excellent. Hence he does not repeat "in folly," but says "as being beside myself," "wandering quite away from a right mind." His own heart did not allow him to say he was "minister of Christ" without judging the expression, though forced to use it for these foolish Corinthians. The word translated "exceedingly abundant" is not really a comparison, and the words translated "to excess" and "oft" show that no comparison with others is instituted. He left his miserable competitor far behind, and his soul turned back with true heartfelt satisfaction to all he had undergone for Christ. His folly is given to us for gain by God. However, if anyone prefer "more than they" or "beyond them" to "above measure," in result the sense is not altered, though, it seems to me, feebler and more disjointed.

W. Kelly Translation

+
23
Are they ministers of Christ? (Beside myself I speak) I above measure; in labours very abundantlya, in prisons very abundantly, in stripes exceedingly, in deaths often.

WK Translation Notes

+
a
No doubt the comparative occurs both with "labours" and with "prisons," Were there only the two comparatives employed, it would be strange to depart from the literal meaning "more abundantly." But as the context stands before and after, and taking account of the moral considerations, as well as the delicate dignity of the apostle, I incline to the version given as preferable.