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2 Corinthians 11

2 Cor. 11:23 KJV (With Strong’s)

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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 God's grace I am what I am, and his grace that [was] towards me became not empty, but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I but the grace of God that [was] with me. (1 Cor. 15:10)
h
Acts 9:16• 16for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:16)
;
Acts 20:23• 23save that the Holy Spirit testifieth to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. (Acts 20:23)
;
Acts 21:11• 11and coming to us and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and deliver him into the hands of [the] Gentiles. (Acts 21:11)
k
1 Cor. 15:30‑32• 30Why are we also in danger every hour?
 31Daily I die, by the boasting of you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 32If after man I fought with beasts in Ephesus, what [is] the profit to me? If no dead rise, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. (1 Cor. 15:30‑32)

More on:

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Christ,
Minister,
Prison

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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ministers.
2 Cor. 3:6• 6who also made us competent [as] servants of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit, for the letter killeth but the spirit quickeneth. (2 Cor. 3:6)
;
2 Cor. 6:4• 4But in everything as ministers of God commending ourselves, in much patience, in affliction, in necessities, in straits, (2 Cor. 6:4)
;
1 Cor. 3:5• 5What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers by whom ye believed, and as the Lord gave to each. (1 Cor. 3:5)
;
1 Cor. 4:1• 1So let a man account of us, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. (1 Cor. 4:1)
;
1 Thess. 3:2• 2and sent Timothy our brother and work-fellow under God in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage concerning your faith, (1 Thess. 3:2)
;
1 Tim. 4:6• 6Setting these things before the brethren, thou wilt be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith and the good teaching which thou hast followed up. (1 Tim. 4:6)
I am.
2 Cor. 11:5• 5For I reckon that I am in nothing come short of those surpassing apostles; (2 Cor. 11:5)
;
2 Cor. 12:11‑12• 11I am become foolish, ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I behind those surpassing apostles if also I am nothing.
 12The signs indeed of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by both signs and wonders and powers. (2 Cor. 12:11‑12)
in labours.
1 Cor. 15:10• 10but by God's grace I am what I am, and his grace that [was] towards me became not empty, but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I but the grace of God that [was] with me. (1 Cor. 15:10)
;
Col. 1:29• 29whereunto also I toil in conflict according to his working that worketh in me in power. (Col. 1:29)
in stripes.
2 Cor. 11:24‑25• 24From Jews five times I received forty [stripes] save one;
 25thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was 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 everything as ministers of God commending ourselves, in much patience, in affliction, in necessities, in straits,
 5in stripes, in prisons, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, (2 Cor. 6:4‑5)
;
Acts 9:16• 16for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:16)
in prison.
Acts 9:16• 16for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:16)
;
Acts 16:24• 24who having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and secured their feet into the stocks. (Acts 16:24)
;
Acts 20:23• 23save that the Holy Spirit testifieth to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. (Acts 20:23)
;
Acts 21:11• 11and coming to us and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and deliver him into the hands of [the] Gentiles. (Acts 21:11)
;
Acts 24:26‑27• 26hoping at the same time that money would be given him by Paul, wherefore also he sent for him the oftener and communed with him.
 27But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and Felix, willing to gain favour with the Jews, left Paul in bonds. (Acts 24:26‑27)
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Acts 25:14• 14And as they were spending several days there, Festus set Paul's case before the king, saying, There is a certain man left prisoner by Felix; (Acts 25:14)
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Acts 27:1• 1And when it was determined that we should sail away for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius of an Augustan cohort. (Acts 27:1)
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Acts 28:16,30• 16And when he came to Rome [the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the prætorian guard, but] Paul was allowed to remain with the soldier who guarded him.
 30And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging, and received all that came unto him, (Acts 28:16,30)
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Eph. 3:1• 1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of the Christ Jesus for you nations, (Eph. 3:1)
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Eph. 4:1• 1I exhort you therefore, I the prisoner in [the] Lord, that ye walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, (Eph. 4:1)
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Eph. 6:20• 20for which I am an ambassador in chain[s], that in it I may be bold as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:20)
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Phil. 1:13• 13so that my bonds have been manifest in Christ in the whole of the Praetorium and to all the rest; (Phil. 1:13)
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2 Tim. 1:8,16• 8Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but suffer hardship with the gospel, according to the power of God,
 16The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain; (2 Tim. 1:8,16)
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2 Tim. 2:9• 9in which I suffer unto bonds as an evil-doer; but the word of God is not bound. (2 Tim. 2:9)
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Philem. 9• 9for love's sake I rather entreat, being such a one as Paul aged and now also prisoner of Christ Jesus. (Philem. 9)
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Heb. 10:34• 34for ye both sympathised with prisoners and accepted with joy the plunder of your goods, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better and abiding substance. (Heb. 10:34)
in deaths.
2 Cor. 1:9‑10• 9But we ourselves have had in ourselves the sentence of death, that we should not have our trust in ourselves, but in God that raiseth the dead,
 10who delivered us from so great a death, and doth e deliver, in whom we have hope that he will also yet deliver, (2 Cor. 1:9‑10)
;
2 Cor. 4:11• 11For we that live are ever being delivered up unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor. 4:11)
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2 Cor. 6:9• 9as unknown and well known, as dying and, behold, we live, as chastened and not put to death, (2 Cor. 6:9)
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Acts 14:19• 19But there arrived Jews from Antioch and Iconium and having persuaded the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged [him] without the city, supposing that he was dead. (Acts 14:19)
;
1 Cor. 15:30‑32• 30Why are we also in danger every hour?
 31Daily I die, by the boasting of you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 32If after man I fought with beasts in Ephesus, what [is] the profit to me? If no dead rise, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. (1 Cor. 15:30‑32)
;
Phil. 2:17• 17But if also I am poured out upon the sacrifice and ministration of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all; (Phil. 2:17)
;
Col. 1:24• 24who now rejoice in sufferings for you, and fill up what is wanting of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the assembly, (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

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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

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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

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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

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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.