2 Corinthians 11:23

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Are they servants of Christ? (I am really talking like a crazy person now). I am more [of a servant, than they are]. I have worked much harder. I have been in prison more often. I have been flogged more severely. I have been in danger of death more frequently.

Cross References

Acts 14:19

But Jews came to [Lystra] from Antioch [in Pisidia] and Iconium. When they persuaded the crowds [to reject Paul’s message] they stoned him and dragged him out of town, assuming he was dead.

Acts 20:23

except that the Holy Spirit reveals to me in every city [I visit] that chains and persecutions await me there.

Acts 21:11

When he met with us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet [with it], and said, “The Holy Spirit has revealed [to me] that the man who owns this belt will be tied up like this by the Jews in Jerusalem and will be turned over to the Gentiles.”

Acts 25:14

While they stayed there [with him] for many days, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king, saying, “There is this man [named Paul] who was left in custody by Felix.

Acts 27:1

And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they transferred Paul and certain other prisoners to the custody of a military officer named Julius, of the Augustan battalion.

Acts 28:16

When we entered Rome [itself] Paul was permitted to live alone except for a soldier who guarded him.

Acts 28:30

Then Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house and welcomed everyone who visited him.

Acts 9:16

I will show him how many things he will have to suffer for my name's sake.”

Romans 8:36

Just as it is written [Psa. 44:22], “We are [in danger of being] killed all the time. We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

1 Corinthians 15:10

But I am whatever I am because of God’s unearned favor, and the favor He showed me was not for nothing [i.e., Paul made the most of his conversion by being extra diligent in his service to God]. But I worked harder than all the other apostles, yet it was not I, but God’s favor on me [that accomplished it].

1 Corinthians 3:5

After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? They are [only] servants through whom you believed [in Christ], with each one doing what the Lord gave him to do.

1 Corinthians 4:1

So, a person should look at us as servants of Christ and property managers entrusted with the secret truths of God.

1 Corinthians 4:11

Even to this moment, we [apostles] are hungry and thirsty; we have inadequate clothing; we have been beaten; we do not have a permanent place to live;

1 Corinthians 4:9

For I think that God has displayed us apostles last in line, as men doomed to die. [Note: The picture here is that of gladiators in the arena]. We are being stared at [i.e., as performers on a theater stage] for the whole world to see, both angels and people.

2 Corinthians 10:7

You people are looking [merely] at the appearance of things [or, “You should look at what is obvious!” In either case, it suggests they were misjudging Paul’s ministry]. If any person is confident within himself that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: We are just as much Christ’s [servants] as he is.

2 Corinthians 11:5

For I consider myself not to be one bit inferior to those “super apostles.” [Note: Paul is referring to his opponents there in Corinth who claimed apostolic authority].

2 Corinthians 3:6

He has also made us competent as ministers of a New Agreement [i.e., between Himself and mankind]. It is not [an agreement] based [merely] on a written document [i.e., such as the Law of Moses], but on the Holy Spirit, for the written document brings [spiritual] death [See Rom. 8:2], but the Holy Spirit brings [never ending] life.

2 Corinthians 4:11

For while we live, we are always exposed to death for Jesus’ sake [See Rom. 8:36], so that the life of Jesus may be demonstrated in our mortal bodies [i.e., in our weak and frail human nature].

2 Corinthians 6:9

as [both] unknown [to people] and yet well-known; [we have almost] died, and yet as you see, we are still alive; [we have been] punished and yet not killed;

Galatians 6:17

From now on no one should harass me [about such matters] for I carry around on my body the scars [left there in my service] for Christ.

Ephesians 3:1

This is the reason that I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, [pray for you. See 3:14-19].

Ephesians 4:1

I urge you, therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, to live in a way that measures up to [the standard required by] God when He called you.

Ephesians 6:20

for which I am an ambassador in prison. [And pray] that I may be able to proclaim the Gospel boldly, as I ought to.

Philippians 1:13

so that my imprisonment for Christ became known throughout the entire headquarters of the governor [i.e., among all his personnel], and to everyone else.

Philippians 2:17

But even if I am poured out like a drink offering [See Ex. 29:38-41] on the sacrifice and service produced by your faith, I am glad and will rejoice with all of you. [Note: Paul here likens the possible pouring out of his blood to the wine and oil of the Old Testament sacrifice, which is then likened to the Philippians’ faithful service to God].

Colossians 1:24

Now I rejoice in [spite of] my sufferings for your sake, and I am filling up [i.e., completing] in my physical body what was lacking in the afflictions Christ endured for His body’s sake, the church.

Colossians 1:29

This is the reason that I work hard and struggle also, using God’s mighty power which is at work in me.

1 Thessalonians 3:2

and so we [i.e., I] sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow-worker in [the ministry of] the Gospel, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

1 Timothy 4:6

If you point out these things to the brothers you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, and will be nurtured by the message of the faith and of the good teaching which you have been following.

2 Timothy 1:16

[But], may the Lord grant mercy to Onesiphorus’ family, for he cheered me up many times and was not ashamed of my [being in] chains.

2 Timothy 1:8

So, do not be ashamed to testify for our Lord, or ashamed of [being associated with] me, His prisoner, but [be willing to] suffer hardship with me for the sake of the Gospel, relying on God’s power [to sustain you].

2 Timothy 2:9

for which I am suffering difficulty [here] in prison, as [though I were] a criminal. But God’s message is not “in prison.”

2 Timothy 3:11

persecutions and sufferings. You know what kind of things happened to me at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra [See Acts 13:13-14:23], and what [severe] persecutions I experienced [there]. But the Lord rescued me from all of them.

Philemon 1:9

yet out of [mutual] love, I appeal to you [to do what I ask]. For I Paul, am an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus. [Note: Most calculations suggest that Paul was approximately 60 years old, which was considered a relatively advanced age in that day].

Hebrews 10:34

For you showed sympathy for those who were in prison and accepted it joyfully when your [own] possessions were taken away, [because] you knew that you yourselves had a better and more permanent possession [in heaven].