2 Corinthians 11:21
Yet whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak in foolishness,) I am bold also.
See him again drawing back and using depreciation and correctives beforehand, although he has already even said many such things: Would that you could bear with me in a little foolishness; and again, Let no man think me foolish: if you do, yet as foolish receive me. That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also; and here again, Whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak in foolishness) I am bold also. Boldness and folly he calls it to speak anything great of himself, and that though there was a necessity, teaching us even to an excess to avoid anything of the sort. For if after we have done all, we ought to call ourselves unprofitable; of what forgiveness can he be worthy who, when no reason presses, exalts himself and boasts? Therefore also did the Pharisee meet the fate he did, and even in harbor suffered shipwreck because he struck upon this rock. Therefore also does Paul, although he sees very ample necessity for it, draw back nevertheless, and keep on observing that such speaking is a mark of foolishness. And then at length he makes the venture, putting forward the plea of necessity, and says,
2 Corinthians 11:22-23
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I.
For it was not all Hebrews that were Israelites, since both the Ammonites and Moabites were Hebrews. Wherefore he added somewhat to clear his nobility of descent, and says,
Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ. (I speak as one beside himself,) I more.
He is not content with his former deprecation, but uses it again here also. I speak as one beside himself, I more. I am their superior and their better. And indeed he possessed clear proofs of his superiority, but nevertheless even so he terms the thing a folly. And yet if they were false Apostles, he heeded not to have introduced his own superiority by way of comparison, but to have destroyed their claim to be ministers at all. Well, he did destroy it, saying, False Apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into Apostles of Christ, but now he does not proceed in that way, for his discourse was about to proceed to strict examination; and no one when an examination is in hand simply asserts; but having first stated the case in the way of comparison, he shows it to be negatived by the facts, a very strong negative. But besides, it is their opinion he gives, not his own assertion, when he says, Are they ministers of Christ? And having said, I more, he proceeds in his comparison, and shows that not by bare assertions, but by furnishing the proof that facts supply, he maintains the impress of the Apostleship. And leaving all his miracles, he begins with his trials; thus saying,
In labors more abundantly, in stripes above measure. This latter is greater than the former; to be both beaten and scourged.
In prisons more abundantly. Here too again is there an increase. In deaths oft. For, I die, says he, daily. But here, even in reality; ‘for I have oft been delivered into mortal dangers. ‘
2 Corinthians 11:24
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Why, save one? There was an ancient law that he who had received more than the forty should be held disgraced among them. Lest then the vehemence and impetuosity of the executioner by inflicting more than the number should cause a man to be disgraced, they decreed that they should be inflicted, save one, that even if the executioner should exceed, he might not overpass the forty, but remaining within the prescribed number might not bring degradation on him that was scourged.
2 Corinthians 11:25
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck.
And what has this to do with the Gospel? Because he went forth on long journeys; and those by sea.
A night and a day I have been in the deep. Some say this means out on the open sea, others, swimming upon it, which is also the truer interpretation. There is nothing wonderful, at least, about the former, nor would he have placed it as greater than his shipwrecks.