The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 11:25 Explained

2 Corinthians 11:25

KJV: Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

YLT: thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice was I shipwrecked, a night and a day in the deep I have passed;

Darby: Thrice have I been scourged, once I have been stoned, three times I have suffered shipwreck, a night and day I passed in the deep:

ASV: Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thrice  was I beaten with rods,  once  was I stoned,  thrice  I suffered shipwreck,  a night and a day  I have been  in  the deep; 

What does 2 Corinthians 11:25 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 11:22-33 - Pre-Eminent In Labor And Suffering
It has been truly said that this enumeration represents a life which up to that hour had been without precedent in the history of the world. Self-devotion at particular moments or for some special cause had been often witnessed before; but a self-devotion involving such sacrifices and extending over at least fourteen years, in the interests of mankind at large, was up to that time a thing unknown. The lives of missionaries and philanthropists in later times may have paralleled his experiences; but Paul did all this, and was the first to do it.
The biography of the Apostle, as told by Luke, comes greatly short of this marvelous epitome. Of the facts alluded to only two-the stoning and one of the Roman scourgings-are mentioned in the book of the Acts; from which we gather that the book is, after all, but a fragmentary record, and that the splendid deeds of the disciples and apostles of that first age will be known only when the Lamb Himself recites them from His Book. But even this enumeration omits all that the Apostle suffered after the writing of this Epistle, including, of course, the sufferings between his arrest and his appearance before Nero. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 11

1  Out of his jealousy over the Corinthians, he enters into a forced commendation of himself,
5  of his equality with the chief apostles,
7  of his preaching the gospel to them freely, and without any charge to them;
13  showing that he was not inferior to those deceitful workers in any legal prerogative;
23  and in the service of Christ, and in all kinds of sufferings for his ministry, far superior

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 11:25

Thrice was I beaten with rods [τρις ερραβδιστην]
Roman (Gentile) punishment. It was forbidden to Roman citizens by the Lex Porcia, but Paul endured it in Philippi (Acts 16:23, Acts 16:37), the only one of the three named in Acts. First aorist passive of ραβδιζω — rabdizō from ραβδος — rabdos rod, Koiné{[28928]}š word, in N.T. only here and Acts 16:22 which see. [source]
Once was I stoned [απαχ ελιταστην]
Once for all απαχ — hapax means. At Lystra (Acts 14:5-19). On λιταζω — lithazō Koiné{[28928]}š verb from λιτος — lithos see note on Acts 5:26. Thrice I suffered shipwreck (τρις εναυαγησα — tris enauagēsa). First aorist active of ναυαγεω — nauageō from ναυαγος — nauagos shipwrecked (ναυς — naus ship, αγνυμι — agnumi to break). Old and common verb, in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 1:19. We know nothing of these. The one told in Acts 27 was much later. What a pity that we have no data for all these varied experiences of Paul. Night and day Have I been in the deep (εν τωι βυτωι πεποιηκα — en tōi buthōi pepoiēka). Vivid dramatic perfect active indicative of ποιεω — poieō “I have done a night and day in the deep.” The memory of it survives like a nightmare. υτος — Buthos is old word (only here in N.T.) for bottom, depth of the sea, then the sea itself. Paul does not mean that he was a night and day under the water, not a Jonah experience, only that he was far out at sea and shipwrecked. This was one of the three shipwrecks-already named. [source]
Thrice I suffered shipwreck [τρις εναυαγησα]
First aorist active of ναυαγεω — nauageō from ναυαγος — nauagos shipwrecked Old and common verb, in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 1:19. We know nothing of these. The one told in Acts 27 was much later. What a pity that we have no data for all these varied experiences of Paul. [source]
Night and day [νυχτημερον]
Have I been in the deep (εν τωι βυτωι πεποιηκα — en tōi buthōi pepoiēka). Vivid dramatic perfect active indicative of ποιεω — poieō “I have done a night and day in the deep.” The memory of it survives like a nightmare. υτος — Buthos is old word (only here in N.T.) for bottom, depth of the sea, then the sea itself. Paul does not mean that he was a night and day under the water, not a Jonah experience, only that he was far out at sea and shipwrecked. This was one of the three shipwrecks-already named. [source]
Have I been in the deep [εν τωι βυτωι πεποιηκα]
Vivid dramatic perfect active indicative of ποιεω — poieō “I have done a night and day in the deep.” The memory of it survives like a nightmare. υτος — Buthos is old word (only here in N.T.) for bottom, depth of the sea, then the sea itself. Paul does not mean that he was a night and day under the water, not a Jonah experience, only that he was far out at sea and shipwrecked. This was one of the three shipwrecks-already named. [source]
Beaten with rods []
Roman scourgings. [source]
Stoned []
At Lystra, Acts 14:19. [source]
Thrice I suffered shipwreck []
The shipwreck at Malta, being later, is, of course, not referred to; so that no one of these three is on record. [source]
A night and a day [νυχθήμερον]
A compound term occurring only here in the New Testament, and rarely in later Greek. [source]
Have I been in the deep [ἐν τῷ βυθῷ πεποίηκα]
Lit., I have made (spent) a night and a day in the deep. For a similar use of ποιέω tomake, see Acts 15:33; Acts 18:23; Acts 20:3; James 4:13. βυθός bottomor depth occurs only here. Of the event itself there is no record. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 11:25

John 10:31 Took up stones again [εβαστασαν παλιν λιτους]
First aorist active indicative of βασταζω — bastazō old verb to pick up, to carry (John 12:6), to bear (Galatians 6:5). The παλιν — palin refers to John 8:59 where ηραν — ēran was used. They wanted to kill him also when he made himself equal to God in John 5:18. Perhaps here εβαστασαν — ebastasan means “they fetched stones from a distance.” To stone him Final clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of λιταζω — lithazō late verb (Aristotle, Polybius) from λιτος — lithos (stone, small, Matthew 4:6, or large, Matthew 28:2), in John 10:31-33; John 11:8; Acts 5:26; Acts 14:19; 2 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 11:37, but not in the Synoptics. It means to pelt with stones, to overwhelm with stones. [source]
Acts 14:5 To stone []
Paul says he was stoned once (2 Corinthians 11:25). This took place at Lystra (see Acts 14:19). [source]
Acts 13:50 The chief men of the city [τους πρωτους της πολεως]
Probably city officials (the Duumviri, the Praetors, the First Ten in the Greek Cities of the east) or other “foremost” men, not officials. The rabbis were shrewd enough to reach these men (not proselytes) through the women who were proselytes of distinction. Stirred up a persecution (επηγειραν διωγμον — epēgeiran diōgmon). First aorist active indicative of επεγειρω — epegeirō old verb, but in the N.T. only here and Acts 14:2. Paul seems to allude to this persecution in 2 Timothy 3:11 “persecutions, sufferings, what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, what persecutions I endured.” Here Paul had perils from his own countrymen and perils from the Gentiles after the perils of rivers and perils of robbers on the way from Perga (2 Corinthians 11:26). He was thrice beaten with rods (τρις εραβδιστην — tris erhabdisthēn 2 Corinthians 11:25) by Roman lictors in some Roman colony. If that was here, then Paul and Barnabas were publicly scourged by the lictors before they left. Probably the Jews succeeded in making the Roman officials look on Paul and Barnabas as disturbers of the public peace. So “they cast them out of their borders” (εχεβαλον αυτους απο των οριων αυτων — exebalon autous apo tōn horiōn autōn). Second aorist active indicative of εκβαλλω — ekballō forcible expulsion plainly as public nuisances. Just a few days before they were the heroes of the city and now! [source]
Acts 14:19 Having persuaded the multitudes [πεισαντες τους οχλους]
First aorist (effective) active participle of πειτω — peithō They had complete success with many and struck at the psychological moment. They stoned Paul (λιτασαντες τον Παυλον — lithasantes ton Paulon). First aorist active participle of λιταζω — lithazō late verb from λιτος — lithos for throwing stones (used by Paul referring to this one incident when alone he was stoned, 2 Corinthians 11:25). The wounds inflicted may have left some of the scars (στιγματα — stigmata) mentioned in Galatians 6:17. They stoned Paul as the chief speaker (Mercury) and passed by Barnabas (Jupiter). It was a Jewish mode of punishment as against Stephen and these Jews knew that Paul was the man that they had to deal with. Hackett notes that the Jews with two exceptions incited the persecutions which Paul endured. The exceptions were in Philippi (16:16-40) and Ephesus (19:23-41). Dragged him out of the city They hurled Stephen outside of the city before stoning him (Acts 7:58). It was a hurried and irregular proceeding, but they were dragging (imperfect active of surō old verb) Paul out now. Supposing that he were dead (συρω — nomizontes auton tethnēkenai). Present active participle with infinitive (second perfect active of νομιζοντες αυτον τετνηκεναι — thnēskō) in indirect discourse with accusative of general reference. The Jews are jubilant this time with memories of Paul‘s escape at Antioch and Iconium. The pagan mob feel that they have settled accounts for their narrow escape from worshipping two Jewish renegade preachers. It was a good day‘s work for them all. Luke does not say that Paul was actually dead. [source]
Acts 14:19 They stoned Paul [λιτασαντες τον Παυλον]
First aorist active participle of λιταζω — lithazō late verb from λιτος — lithos for throwing stones (used by Paul referring to this one incident when alone he was stoned, 2 Corinthians 11:25). The wounds inflicted may have left some of the scars It was a Jewish mode of punishment as against Stephen and these Jews knew that Paul was the man that they had to deal with. Hackett notes that the Jews with two exceptions incited the persecutions which Paul endured. The exceptions were in Philippi (16:16-40) and Ephesus (19:23-41). [source]
Acts 16:22 To beat them with rods [ραβδιζειν]
Present active infinitive of ραβδιζω — rhabdizō old verb, but in the N.T.=virgis caedere only here and 2 Corinthians 11:25 where Paul alludes to this incident and two others not given by Luke He came near getting another in Jerusalem (Acts 22:25). Why did not Paul say here that he was a Roman citizen as he does later (Acts 16:37) and in Jerusalem (Acts 22:26.)? It might have done no good in this hubbub and no opportunity was allowed for defence of any kind. [source]
Acts 27:9 I perceive [τεωρω]
Old word from τεωρος — theōros a spectator. See note on Luke 10:18. Paul does not here claim prophecy, but he had plenty of experience with three shipwrecks already (2 Corinthians 11:25) to justify his apprehension. [source]
Acts 16:22 Rent their garments off them [περιρηχαντες αυτων τα ιματια]
First aorist active participle of περιρηγνυμι — perirēgnumi old verb, to break off all around, to strip or rend all round. Here only in the N.T. The duumvirs probably gave orders for Paul and Silas to be stripped of their outer garments As a Roman citizen this was unlawful, but the duumvirs looked on Paul and Silas as vagabond and seditious Jews and “acted with the highhandedness characteristic of the fussy provincial authorities” (Knowling). Commanded (εκελευον — ekeleuon). Imperfect active, repeatedly ordered. The usual formula of command was: “Go, lictors; strip off their garments; let them be scourged.” To beat them with rods Present active infinitive of ραβδιζω — rhabdizō old verb, but in the N.T.=virgis caedere only here and 2 Corinthians 11:25 where Paul alludes to this incident and two others not given by Luke He came near getting another in Jerusalem (Acts 22:25). Why did not Paul say here that he was a Roman citizen as he does later (Acts 16:37) and in Jerusalem (Acts 22:26.)? It might have done no good in this hubbub and no opportunity was allowed for defence of any kind. [source]
Acts 27:9 And the voyage was now dangerous [και οντος ηδη επισπαλους]
Genitive absolute, “and the voyage being already Because the Fast was now already gone by (δια το και την νηστειαν ηδη παρεληλυτεναι — dia to kai tēn nēsteian ēdē parelēluthenai). Accusative (after δια — dia) of the articular infinitive perfect active of παρερχομαι — parerchomai to pass by, with the accusative of general reference (νηστειαν — nēsteian the great day of atonement of the Jews, Leviticus 16:29.) occurring about the end of September. The ancients considered navigation on the Mediterranean unsafe from early October till the middle of March. In a.d. 59 the Fast occurred on Oct. 5. There is nothing strange in Luke using this Jewish note of time as in Acts 20:6 though a Gentile Christian. Paul did it also (1 Corinthians 16:8). It is no proof that Luke was a Jewish proselyte. We do not know precisely when the party left Caesarea (possibly in August), but in ample time to arrive in Rome before October if conditions had been more favourable. But the contrary winds had made the voyage very slow and difficult all the way (Acts 27:7) besides the long delay here in this harbour of Fair Havens. Paul admonished them Imperfect active of παραινεω — paraineō old word to exhort from παρα — para and αινεω — aineō to praise (Acts 3:8), only here and Acts 27:22 in N.T. It is remarkable that a prisoner like Paul should venture to give advice at all and to keep on doing it (imperfect tense inchoative, began to admonish and kept on at it). Paul had clearly won the respect of the centurion and officers and also felt it to be his duty to give this unasked for warning. I perceive (τεωρω — theōrō). Old word from τεωρος — theōros a spectator. See note on Luke 10:18. Paul does not here claim prophecy, but he had plenty of experience with three shipwrecks already (2 Corinthians 11:25) to justify his apprehension. Will be Infinitive in indirect assertion followed by future infinitive after μελλειν — mellein in spite of οτι — hoti which would naturally call for present indicative μελλει — mellei an anacoluthon due to the long sentence (Robertson, Grammar, p. 478). With injury (μετα υβρεως — meta hubreōs). An old word from υπερ — huper (above, upper, like our “uppishness”) and so pride, insult, personal injury, the legal word for personal assault (Page). Josephus (Ant. III. 6, 4) uses it of the injury of the elements. Loss Old word, opposite of κερδος — kerdos gain or profit (Philemon 3:7.). Nowhere else in N.T. Lading (πορτιου — phortiou). Diminutive of πορτος — phortos (from περω — pherō to bear) only in form. Common word, but in N.T. only here in literal sense, as metaphor in Matthew 11:30; Matthew 23:4; Luke 11:46; Galatians 6:5. But also of our lives Common use of πσυχη — psuchē for life, originally “breath of life” (Acts 20:10), and also “soul” (Acts 14:2). Fortunately no lives were lost, though all else was. But this outcome was due to the special mercy of God for the sake of Paul (Acts 27:24), not to the wisdom of the officers in rejecting Paul‘s advice. Paul begins now to occupy the leading role in this marvellous voyage. [source]
Acts 27:9 Paul admonished them [παρηινηι ο Παυλος]
Imperfect active of παραινεω — paraineō old word to exhort from παρα — para and αινεω — aineō to praise (Acts 3:8), only here and Acts 27:22 in N.T. It is remarkable that a prisoner like Paul should venture to give advice at all and to keep on doing it (imperfect tense inchoative, began to admonish and kept on at it). Paul had clearly won the respect of the centurion and officers and also felt it to be his duty to give this unasked for warning. I perceive (τεωρω — theōrō). Old word from τεωρος — theōros a spectator. See note on Luke 10:18. Paul does not here claim prophecy, but he had plenty of experience with three shipwrecks already (2 Corinthians 11:25) to justify his apprehension. Will be Infinitive in indirect assertion followed by future infinitive after μελλειν — mellein in spite of οτι — hoti which would naturally call for present indicative μελλει — mellei an anacoluthon due to the long sentence (Robertson, Grammar, p. 478). With injury (μετα υβρεως — meta hubreōs). An old word from υπερ — huper (above, upper, like our “uppishness”) and so pride, insult, personal injury, the legal word for personal assault (Page). Josephus (Ant. III. 6, 4) uses it of the injury of the elements. Loss Old word, opposite of κερδος — kerdos gain or profit (Philemon 3:7.). Nowhere else in N.T. Lading (πορτιου — phortiou). Diminutive of πορτος — phortos (from περω — pherō to bear) only in form. Common word, but in N.T. only here in literal sense, as metaphor in Matthew 11:30; Matthew 23:4; Luke 11:46; Galatians 6:5. But also of our lives Common use of πσυχη — psuchē for life, originally “breath of life” (Acts 20:10), and also “soul” (Acts 14:2). Fortunately no lives were lost, though all else was. But this outcome was due to the special mercy of God for the sake of Paul (Acts 27:24), not to the wisdom of the officers in rejecting Paul‘s advice. Paul begins now to occupy the leading role in this marvellous voyage. [source]
1 Timothy 1:19 Concerning faith have made shipwreck [περὶ τὴν πίστιν ἐναυάγησαν]
Better, “concerning the faith made shipwreck.” For a similar use of περὶ concerningsee Acts 19:25; Luke 10:40; 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 2:18; 2 Timothy 3:8. It is noteworthy that περὶ with the accusative occurs only once in Paul (Philemon 2:23). Ναυαγεῖν tomake shipwreck only here and 2 Corinthians 11:25. Nautical metaphors are rare in Paul's writings. [source]
1 Timothy 1:19 Having thrust from them [απωσαμενοι]
First aorist indirect middle participle of απωτεω — apōtheō to push away from one. Old verb (see note on Romans 11:1.). Made shipwreck (εναυαγησαν — enauagēsan). First aorist active indicative of ναυαγεω — nauageō old verb from ναυαγος — nauagos (shipwrecked, ναυς — naus ship, αγνυμι — agnumi to break), to break a ship to pieces. In N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 11:25. Concerning the faith Rather, “concerning their faith” (the article here used as a possessive pronoun, a common Greek idiom). [source]
1 Timothy 1:19 Made shipwreck [εναυαγησαν]
First aorist active indicative of ναυαγεω — nauageō old verb from ναυαγος — nauagos (shipwrecked, ναυς — naus ship, αγνυμι — agnumi to break), to break a ship to pieces. In N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 11:25. [source]
James 4:13 Continue there a year [ποιήσομεν ἐκεῖ ἐνιαυτὸν]
Lit., we will make a year. See, for the same form of expression, Acts 15:33; Acts 18:23; 2 Corinthians 11:25. Better, as Rev., spend a year there. (Compare the A. V., Acts 18:23, rightly retained by Rev.) The word ποιήσομεν implies more than mere continuance; rather, a doing something with the year. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 11:25 mean?

Three times I was beaten with rods once I was stoned I was shipwrecked a night and a day in the deep [sea] I have passed
τρὶς ἐραβδίσθην ἅπαξ ἐλιθάσθην ἐναυάγησα νυχθήμερον ἐν τῷ βυθῷ πεποίηκα

τρὶς  Three  times 
Parse: Adverb
Root: τρίς  
Sense: thrice.
ἐραβδίσθην  I  was  beaten  with  rods 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: ῥαβδίζω  
Sense: to beat with rods.
ἅπαξ  once 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἅπαξ  
Sense: once, one time.
ἐλιθάσθην  I  was  stoned 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: λιθάζω  
Sense: to overwhelm or pelt with stones.
ἐναυάγησα  I  was  shipwrecked 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ναυαγέω  
Sense: to suffer shipwreck.
νυχθήμερον  a  night  and  a  day 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: νυχθήμερον  
Sense: a night and a day, the space of twenty four hours.
βυθῷ  deep  [sea] 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: βυθός  
Sense: the bottom or depth of the sea.
πεποίηκα  I  have  passed 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.