2 Corinthians 11:22-23
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
22 [a]Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.(A) 23 [b]Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person.)(B) I am still more,[c] with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death.
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- 11:22 The opponents apparently pride themselves on their “Jewishness.” Paul, too, can claim to be a Jew by race, religion, and promise. Descendants of Abraham: elsewhere Paul distinguishes authentic from inauthentic heirs of Abraham and the promise (Rom 4:13–18; 9:7–13; 11:1; Gal 3:9, 27–29; cf. Jn 8:33–47). Here he grants his opponents this title in order to concentrate on the principal claim that follows.
- 11:23a Ministers of Christ…I am still more: the central point of the boast (cf. note on 2 Cor 11:5). Like an insane person: the climax of his folly.
- 11:23b–29 Service of the humiliated and crucified Christ is demonstrated by trials endured for him. This rhetorically impressive catalogue enumerates many of the labors and perils Paul encountered on his missionary journeys.
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