The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 11:27 Explained

2 Corinthians 11:27

KJV: In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

YLT: in labouriousness and painfulness, in watchings many times, in hunger and thirst, in fastings many times, in cold and nakedness;

Darby: in labour and toil, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

ASV: in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

In  weariness  and  painfulness,  in  watchings  often,  in  hunger  and  thirst,  in  fastings  often,  in  cold  and  nakedness. 

What does 2 Corinthians 11:27 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 11:27

In labour and travail [κοπωι και μοχτωι]
Both old words for severe work, combined here as in 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8, “by toil and moil” (Plummer). The rest of the list is like the items in 2 Corinthians 6:4. [source]
In cold [εν πσυχει]
Old word from πσυχω — psuchō to cool by blowing. See Acts 28:2. See the picture of the aged Paul later in the Roman dungeon (2 Timothy 4:9-18). [source]
Watchings []
See on 2 Corinthians 6:5. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 11:27

2 Corinthians 6:5 Watchings [ἀγρυπνίαις]
Only here and 2 Corinthians 11:27. See on the kindred verb, Mark 13:33. For the historical facts, see Acts 16:25; Acts 20:7-11, Acts 20:31; 2 Thessalonians 3:8. [source]
2 Corinthians 6:5 In tumults [εν ακαταστασιαις]
See 1 Corinthians 14:33). Instabilities, often from politics. In watchings (εν αγρυπνιαις — en agrupniais). In sleeplessnesses, instances of insomnia. Old word, in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 11:27. Paul knew all about this. [source]
2 Corinthians 6:5 In watchings [εν αγρυπνιαις]
In sleeplessnesses, instances of insomnia. Old word, in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 11:27. Paul knew all about this. [source]
Colossians 4:13 Zeal [ζῆλον]
Read πόνον laborwhich occurs elsewhere only in Revelation 16:10, Revelation 16:11; Revelation 21:4, in the sense of pain. Πονος laboris from the root of πένομαι towork for one's daily bread, and thence to be poor. Πόνος toil πένης onewho works for his daily bread, and πονηρός wickedhave a common root. See on wickedness, Mark 7:22. In their original conceptions, κόπος labor(1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 6:5) emphasizes the fatigue of labor: μόχθος hardlabor (2 Corinthians 11:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:9), the hardship: πόνος theeffort, but πόνος has passed, in the New Testament, in every instance but this, into the meaning of pain. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:9 Labor - travail [κόπον - μόχθον]
The two words are associated in 2 Corinthians 11:27; 2 Thessalonians 3:8. Μόχθος travailPoFrequent in lxx. Κόπος emphasizes fatigue, μόχθος hardshipBecause we would not be chargeable ( πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἐπιβαρῆσαι )Incorrect. Rend. that we might not burden. Put you to expense for our support. Comp. 2 Thessalonians 3:8. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Work - labor - patience [ἔπργου - κόπου - ὑπομονῆς]
Ἔργον workmay mean either the act, the simple transaction, or the process of dealing with anything, or the result of the dealing, - as a book or a picture is called a work. Κόπος laborfrom κόπτειν tostrike or hew; hence, laborious, painful exertion. Ὑπομονὴ patiencepatient endurance and faithful persistence in toil and suffering. See on 2 Peter 1:6; see on James 5:7. The genitives, of faith, love, hope, mark the generating principles of the work and labor and patience, which set their stamp upon each; thus, work which springs from faith, and is characteristic of faith. The phrase patience of hope is found only here; but see Romans 5:4; Romans 8:25; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 8:7; Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:12. ὑπομονὴ in lxx, see 1 Chronicles 29:15; Job 14:19; Psalm 9:18; Psalm 38:7; Jeremiah href="/desk/?q=jer+4:8&sr=1">Jeremiah 4:8. We have here the great triad of Christian graces, corresponding to 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Hope is prominent throughout the two Epistles. The triad appears, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 8:13; Ephesians 4:2-5; Colossians 1:4, Colossians 1:5; Hebrews 10:22-24; 1 Peter 1:21-22. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 11:27; Revelation 2:2. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:9 Travail [μοχτον]
Old word for difficult labour, harder than κοπος — kopos (toil). In the N.T. only here, 2 Thessalonians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 11:27. Note accusative case here though genitive with μνημονευω — mnēmoneuō in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. [source]
Revelation 3:18 To buy [αγορασαι]
First aorist active infinitive of αγοραζω — agorazō (from αγορα — agora market-place), rich as they think themselves to be.From me (παρ εμου — par' emou). From my side, emphatic.Refined by fire Perfect passive participle of πυροω — puroō (as in Revelation 1:15) and the metaphor carried on by εκ πυρος — ek puros “fired by fire.” Purity by removing dross (Psalm 66:10) like 1 Peter 1:7.That thou mayest become rich (ινα πλουτησηις — hina ploutēsēis). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the ingressive first aorist active of πλουτεω — plouteō spiritual riches.That thou mayest clothe thyself Purpose clause with ινα — hina and second aorist middle (direct) subjunctive of περιβαλλω — periballō to fling round one as in Revelation 3:5.Be not made manifest (μη πανερωτηι — mē phanerōthēi). Continued purpose clause with negative μη — mē and first aorist passive subjunctive of πανεροω — phaneroō (γυμνοτητος — gumnotētos). Late and rare word from γυμνος — gumnos naked, in N.T. only here, 2 Corinthians 11:27; Romans 8:35. Cf. Revelation 16:15; Revelation 20:13; 2 Corinthians 5:2.Eye-salve Diminutive of κολλυρα — kollura (coarse bread of cylindrical shape), object of αγορασαι — agorasai name for a famous Phrygian powder for the eyes made in Laodicea (Charles), Latin collyrium (used for eye-salve by Horace and Juvenal).To anoint (εγχρισαι — egchrisai). First aorist active infinitive (epexegetic) of εγχριω — egchriō late compound (εν χριω — enινα βλεπηις — chriō Strabo, Epictetus), to rub in, here only in N.T.That thou mayest see Another purpose clause with hina and the present active subjunctive (keep on seeing). [source]
Revelation 3:18 Be not made manifest [μη πανερωτηι]
Continued purpose clause with negative μη — mē and first aorist passive subjunctive of πανεροω — phaneroō Late and rare word from γυμνος — gumnos naked, in N.T. only here, 2 Corinthians 11:27; Romans 8:35. Cf. Revelation 16:15; Revelation 20:13; 2 Corinthians 5:2. [source]
Revelation 3:18 Refined by fire [πεπυρωμενον εκ πυρος]
Perfect passive participle of πυροω — puroō (as in Revelation 1:15) and the metaphor carried on by εκ πυρος — ek puros “fired by fire.” Purity by removing dross (Psalm 66:10) like 1 Peter 1:7.That thou mayest become rich (ινα πλουτησηις — hina ploutēsēis). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the ingressive first aorist active of πλουτεω — plouteō spiritual riches.That thou mayest clothe thyself Purpose clause with ινα — hina and second aorist middle (direct) subjunctive of περιβαλλω — periballō to fling round one as in Revelation 3:5.Be not made manifest (μη πανερωτηι — mē phanerōthēi). Continued purpose clause with negative μη — mē and first aorist passive subjunctive of πανεροω — phaneroō (γυμνοτητος — gumnotētos). Late and rare word from γυμνος — gumnos naked, in N.T. only here, 2 Corinthians 11:27; Romans 8:35. Cf. Revelation 16:15; Revelation 20:13; 2 Corinthians 5:2.Eye-salve Diminutive of κολλυρα — kollura (coarse bread of cylindrical shape), object of αγορασαι — agorasai name for a famous Phrygian powder for the eyes made in Laodicea (Charles), Latin collyrium (used for eye-salve by Horace and Juvenal).To anoint (εγχρισαι — egchrisai). First aorist active infinitive (epexegetic) of εγχριω — egchriō late compound (εν χριω — enινα βλεπηις — chriō Strabo, Epictetus), to rub in, here only in N.T.That thou mayest see Another purpose clause with hina and the present active subjunctive (keep on seeing). [source]
Revelation 3:18 That thou mayest clothe thyself [ινα περιβαληι]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and second aorist middle (direct) subjunctive of περιβαλλω — periballō to fling round one as in Revelation 3:5.Be not made manifest (μη πανερωτηι — mē phanerōthēi). Continued purpose clause with negative μη — mē and first aorist passive subjunctive of πανεροω — phaneroō (γυμνοτητος — gumnotētos). Late and rare word from γυμνος — gumnos naked, in N.T. only here, 2 Corinthians 11:27; Romans 8:35. Cf. Revelation 16:15; Revelation 20:13; 2 Corinthians 5:2.Eye-salve Diminutive of κολλυρα — kollura (coarse bread of cylindrical shape), object of αγορασαι — agorasai name for a famous Phrygian powder for the eyes made in Laodicea (Charles), Latin collyrium (used for eye-salve by Horace and Juvenal).To anoint (εγχρισαι — egchrisai). First aorist active infinitive (epexegetic) of εγχριω — egchriō late compound (εν χριω — enινα βλεπηις — chriō Strabo, Epictetus), to rub in, here only in N.T.That thou mayest see Another purpose clause with hina and the present active subjunctive (keep on seeing). [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 11:27 mean?

in labor and toil in watchings often hunger thirst fastings cold nakedness
κόπῳ καὶ μόχθῳ ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις πολλάκις λιμῷ δίψει νηστείαις ψύχει γυμνότητι

κόπῳ  in  labor 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: κόπος  
Sense: a beating.
μόχθῳ  toil 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: μόχθος  
Sense: a hard and difficult labour, toil, travail, hardship, distress.
ἀγρυπνίαις  watchings 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἀγρυπνία  
Sense: sleeplessness, watching.
πολλάκις  often 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πολλάκις 
Sense: often, frequently.
λιμῷ  hunger 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: λιμός  
Sense: scarcity of harvest, famine.
δίψει  thirst 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: δίψος  
Sense: thirst.
νηστείαις  fastings 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: νηστεία  
Sense: a fasting, fast.
ψύχει  cold 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ψῦχος  
Sense: cold.
γυμνότητι  nakedness 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: γυμνότης  
Sense: nakedness of the body.