2 Corinthians 6:5 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

Stripes (2 Corinthians 11:23-24; Acts 16:23).

Imprisonments (2 Corinthians 11:23). He had been, doubtless, elsewhere imprisoned besides at Philippi.

Tumults (Acts 13:50; Acts 14:5; Acts 14:19; Acts 16:22; and recently, 19:23-41).

Labours - in the cause of Christ (Romans 16:12; 2 Corinthians 11:23).

Watchings (2 Corinthians 11:27) - sleepless nights.

Fastings. The context refers to trials, not devotional exercises. Thus, 'foodlessness' probably is the sense (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:11; Philippians 4:12). The usual sense of the Greek is fasts in the strict sense; and in 2 Corinthians 11:27 it is spoken of independently of "hunger and thirst" (cf. Luke 2:37; Acts 10:30; Acts 14:23). However, Matthew 15:32; Mark 8:3, justify the rare sense favoured by the context, foodlessness. Gaussen, 'The apostles combine the highest offices with the humblest exterior: everything in the Church was cast in the mould of death and resurrection-the cardinal principle throughout Christianity.'

2 Corinthians 6:5

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults,b in labours, in watchings, in fastings;