2 Corinthians 11:23
What does 2 Corinthians 11:23 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 11:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 11:23 means
Now Paul asks the piercing question: Are they ministers of Christ? He answers—speaking “as one beside himself” to match their boasting—that he is more so, proven by abundant labors, frequent imprisonments, countless beatings, and brushes with death. Apostolic authenticity shows in scars, not slogans. His life bears the marks of service to Jesus—hard work, suffering, and perseverance. These are not achievements for applause but evidences of faithfulness under fire. Paul’s point is not to outshine others, but to expose the false scale of values in Corinth. True ministry is cruciform; it resembles the path of Christ in self-giving love and patient endurance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking foolishly) I am more so; I have had more experience of hard work, of prisons, of blows more than measure, of death.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862ministrants of Christ are they? --as beside myself I speak--I more; in labours more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths many times;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise): I am more; in many more labours, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as being beside myself) I above measure [so]; in labours exceedingly abundant, in stripes to excess, in prisons exceedingly abundant, in deaths oft.
Context
With pedigree addressed (v.22), Paul turns to the hallmark of true service: suffering for Christ. He frames his list with a disclaimer about the folly of boasting, then catalogs hardships (vv.24–27). This shift reorients the Corinthians’ criteria for leadership. Instead of eloquence and domination, Paul points to wounds and endurance. After detailing external trials, he will add internal burdens (v.28) and empathetic zeal (v.29), leading to his summary resolve to boast in weakness (v.30).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11
I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4
but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
- Ephesians 6:20
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
- Acts 27:1
And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.
- 2 Corinthians 6:9
as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2
and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;
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