2 Corinthians 11:25

2 Corinthians 11:25 Meaning and Explanation

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

King James Version (KJV)

Read this verse in context with translation switching:

Read Full Chapter →

Paul continues the list: three beatings with rods, one stoning, three shipwrecks, and a day and night adrift at sea.

What Does 2 Corinthians 11:25 Mean?

The catalog of hardships grows. Three times Paul was beaten with rods, the Roman form of punishment; once he was stoned and left for dead; three times he was shipwrecked; and once he spent a full day and night adrift on the open sea.

Each item represents a moment when his life hung in the balance. Paul recounts them plainly, without self-pity, as the ordinary cost of carrying the gospel across the world. The sheer accumulation testifies to a ministry that spared nothing. Such endurance is possible only for one whose hope rests beyond this life, who counts the surpassing worth of knowing Christ greater than any suffering the body can bear.

Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 11:25

What does 2 Corinthians 11:25 mean?

Paul continues the list: three beatings with rods, one stoning, three shipwrecks, and a day and night adrift at sea.

Keep Studying 2 Corinthians 11

Read the whole chapter in KJV, ASV, or WEB, or go deeper with the chapter study guide and key themes.