2 Corinthians 11:16-33 - Paul Boasts In His Sufferings
16 Again I say, no one should think I am foolish, but if you do, [then] accept me that way, so that I too can boast a little bit. 17 What I am saying in this boastful [show of] confidence is not what the Lord would [say], but is [just plain] "foolishness." 18 Since many [other] people boast about worldly matters, I will boast about such things also. 19 For, since you people are so smart, you gladly put up with fools. 20 For you put up with someone, [even] if he enslaves you [i.e., exercises control over your life]; [even] if he takes [unfair] advantage of you; [even] if he acts superior toward you; and [even] if he slaps you in the face. 21 I am ashamed to say that we were [too] weak to do such things. [Note: Paul is probably saying, sarcastically, "We are too 'weak' to take financial advantage of people and mistreat them the way those 'super apostles' there in Corinth were doing"]. Yet, in whatever [matters] anyone [there] dares to boast about, (now I am really speaking foolishly), I will dare to boast also.
22 Are they [i.e., Paul's opponents there in Corinth] Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am really talking like a crazy person now). I am more [of a servant, than they are]. I have worked much harder. I have been in prison more often. I have been flogged more severely. I have been in danger of death more frequently. 24 I received thirty-nine lashes from the Jews five times. 25 I was beaten with rods three times. I was stoned once. I suffered shipwreck three times and spent a night and a day in the open water. 26 I have been on frequent journeys; in danger from rivers; in danger from thieves; in danger from my own people; in danger from the Gentiles; in danger in the city; in danger in the desert; in danger in the ocean; in danger among false brothers. 27 I have worked and suffered. I have often gone without sleep, been hungry and thirsty, often gone without food [i.e., for spiritual reasons], been cold and had inadequate clothing.
28 Besides these [kinds of] things [or, "besides these outward things"], there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel their weakness? Who is led astray [from God], and I do not burn [i.e., with righteous anger over the one who caused it]? 30 If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who should be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 [When I was] in Damascus [Note: Paul here refers to his conversion. See Acts 9:1ff], the governor [who served] under King Aretas, was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to capture me, 33 but I escaped from his hands by being lowered in a basket through a window in the [city] wall.