2 Cor. 11:25. Three times I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I spent in the deep of the sea;
2 Cor. 11:26. Many times I was on journeys,
What does the fact that you suffered shipwrecks have to do with the Gospel? He suffered shipwrecks while making long sea voyages for the sake of the Gospel. He spent a night and a day in the deep. Some, however, say that after the danger in Lystra, he hid in a certain well called Bythos, and he is speaking here about this circumstance.
2 Cor. 11:26. in dangers on rivers,
For he was compelled to sail also on rivers.
2 Cor. 11:26. In perils from robbers, in perils from my own countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils at sea.
Everywhere the devil raised up battles, and everywhere God offered rewards for struggles; for both from the pagans and from his fellow tribesmen the Jews, who were hardened against him out of envy, robbers were instigated. Was he safe, at least, in the city? Not at all. Finally, in the wilderness? Not there either, and when he escaped dangers on land, they met him at sea.
2 Cor. 11:26. in dangers among false brethren,
To be subjected to the snares of false and pretended brethren — this is another and most difficult kind of temptation, of which David also complained: "nor is it one who hates me who magnifies himself against me — from him I would hide myself; but it is you, who were for me the same as myself, my friend and my close one" (Ps. 54:13–14); and in another place: "the man at peace with me" (Ps. 40:10).
2 Cor. 11:27. In toil and exhaustion, often in sleeplessness,
Not only were the afflictions coming from without insufficient; he also burdened himself with his own labors, anxieties, and sleepless nights.
2 Cor. 11:27. In hunger and thirst, often in fasting, in cold and nakedness.
2 Cor. 11:28. Besides the things from without,
Enduring all this, the teacher of the universe did not have sufficient food and clothing, but struggled naked and fought hungry. Moreover, he still omitted much, for such is the meaning of the expression "besides the things that are without." And even concerning what he did mention, he did not speak of each individually, but only enumerated what could easily be expressed in number, saying "five times" and "three times"; but what was inconvenient to enumerate, he expressed indefinitely, for he said "many times, often." Notice then: enumerating so many afflictions, he did not say how many he converted to Christ, both out of his humility and also teaching by this that the one who labors will in any case receive the full reward, even if no further struggles lie ahead of him.
2 Cor. 11:28. I have a daily concourse of people,
That is, the furious uprising and attack which the nations make against me daily, by common agreement.
2 Cor. 11:28. The care of all the churches.
This is the most important of all: for if the one who cares for only a single household, having servants and stewards besides, does not even have the opportunity to rest, then what must a single soul truly endure, having amid so many dangers the care of the entire world, and moreover of souls.
2 Cor. 11:29. Who is weak, and I am not weak with him?
Lest anyone should say that he did care, but cared in an ordinary way, he shows the character of his care. And he did not say: I share in the affliction, but I myself undergo it to the point of exhaustion. By exhaustion, understand both bodily and especially spiritual exhaustion. The word "who" should be understood as meaning: whether it be an important or an insignificant person.
2 Cor. 11:29. Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
Then, how he expressed the excess of grief, for "I am inflamed," he says. Enduring everything else, he rejoiced, knowing that he endures for the Lord's sake; but here he is wounded in soul, so that the stumbling of another, even of an insignificant and rejected person, causes him great grief. And that the word "I am inflamed" must be understood in the sense of "I am caused to stumble," David teaches us. For just as the apostle said, "who is caused to stumble, for whom I would not be inflamed?" — so too David says exactly the same: when someone stumbles, I also appear as one who stumbles, and I strive to heal this sickness as my own. But where does David say this? In the words: "when the ungodly is proud, the poor is afflicted" (Ps. 9:23), that is, the poor person is caused to stumble when he comes to the thought that unworthy people abound in wealth and are exalted.
2 Cor. 11:30. If I must boast, I will boast of my weakness.
By "weakness" he means persecutions; for in hunger, scourging, shipwreck, and the endurance of other calamities, human weakness is revealed. He does not mention signs here, because they were a gift of God; but the calamities, together with the power of God, also demonstrated his patience.
2 Cor. 11:31. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.