2 Corinthians 11:26
What does 2 Corinthians 11:26 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 11:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 11:26 means
Paul catalogs dangers he faced: rivers, robbers, hostile countrymen and Gentiles, city and wilderness, sea, and even “false brethren.” Ministry took him into every context and exposed him to betrayal as well as external threats. This breadth shows that suffering was not occasional but constant. He was not shielded by status; he was vulnerable in all places. The inclusion of “false brethren” cuts deeply—deception within the community wounded him as surely as persecution outside. Through all this, Paul kept pressing on, demonstrating that the gospel advances through endurance amid varied and unpredictable trials.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
KJV
King James Version · 1611In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In frequent travels, in dangers on rivers, in dangers from outlaws, in dangers from my countrymen, in dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the town, in dangers in the waste land, in dangers at sea, in dangers among false brothers;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862journeyings many times, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from kindred, perils from nations, perils in city, perils in wilderness, perils in sea, perils among false brethren;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from [my own] race, in perils from [the] nations, in perils in [the] city, in perils in [the] desert, in perils on [the] sea, in perils among false brethren;
Context
After beatings and shipwreck (v.25), Paul widens the lens to reveal perils in every sphere (v.26), including treachery from supposed believers. He then turns to sustained hardships (v.27): toil, sleeplessness, hunger, and exposure. With the external catalogue complete, he will speak of the daily internal pressure of care for the churches (v.28) and his empathetic identification with the weak and stumbling (v.29). The narrative is heading toward the thesis that his boasting centers on weakness (v.30).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 15:19
in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ;
- Acts 15:2
And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
- Acts 28:10
who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.
- Acts 18:18
And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchreæ; for he had a vow.
- Galatians 1:17
neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.
- Acts 14:5
And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them,
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