2 Corinthians 11:28

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

2 Corinthians 11:28, King James Version

2 Corinthians 11:28 in other translations

BSB	Apart from these external trials, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
WEB	Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily: anxiety for all the assemblies.
ASV	Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches.
YLT	apart from the things without--the crowding upon me that is daily--the care of all the assemblies.
DARBY	Besides those things that are without, the crowd of cares pressing on me daily, the burden of all the assemblies.
BBE	In addition to all the other things, there is that which comes on me every day, the care of all the churches.
Webster	Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

What does 2 Corinthians 11:28 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

28. without--"Beside" trials falling on me externally, just recounted, there is "that which cometh upon me (literally, the impetuous concourse to me of business; properly, a crowd rising up against one again and again, and ready to bear him down), the care of all the churches" (including those not yet seen in the flesh, Col 2:1): an internal and more weighty anxiety. But the oldest manuscripts for "that which cometh," read, "the pressure": "the pressing care-taking" or "inspection that is upon me daily." Alford translates, "Omitting what is BESIDES"; namely, those other trials besides those recounted. But the Vulgate, Estius, and Bengel, support English Version. the care--The Greek implies, "my anxious solicitude for all the churches."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 28. Beside those things that are without. In addition to these external trials, these trials pertaining' to the body, I have mental trials and anxieties resulting from the necessary care of all the churches. But on the meaning of these words, commentators are not agreed. Rosenmuller supposes that the phrase means, "Besides those things that come from other sources, "that I may omit other things.". Beza, Erasmus, Bloomfield, and some others, suppose that the passage means those things out of the regular routine of his office. Doddridge, "Besides foreign affairs." Probably the sense is, "Apart from the things beside," (χωριςτωνπαρεκτος;) not to mention other matters; or, if other matters should be laid aside, there is this continually rushing anxiety arising from the care of all the churches. That is, this would be enough in itself. Laying aside all that arises from hunger, thirst, cold, etc., this continual care occupies my mind, and weighs upon my heart.

That which cometh upon me daily. There is great force in the original here. The phrase rendered "that which cometh upon me" means, properly, "that which rushes upon me." The word (επισυστασις means, properly, a concourse, a crowd, hence a tumult; and the idea here is, that these cares rushed upon him, or pressed upon him like a crowd of men or a mob that bore all before it. This is one of Paul's most energetic expressions, and denotes the incessant anxiety of mind to which he was subject.

The care of all the churches. The care of the numerous churches which he had established, and which needed his constant supervision. They were young; many of them were feeble; many were made up of heterogeneous materials; many composed of Jews and Gentiles mingled together, with conflicting prejudices, habits, preferences; many of them were composed of those who had been gathered from the lowest ranks of life; and questions would be constantly occurring, relating to their order and discipline, in which Paul would feel a deep interest, and which would naturally be referred to him for decision. Besides this, they had many trials. They were persecuted, and would suffer much. In their sufferings Paul would feel deep sympathy, and would desire, as far as possible, to afford them relief. In addition to the churches which he had planted, he would feel an interest in all others; and doubtless many cases would be referred to him, as an eminent apostle, for counsel and advice. No wonder that all this came rushing on him like a tumultuous assembly ready to overpower him.

(d) "care of all the churches" Acts 15:36-41

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 28 Beside those things that are without - Independently of all these outward things, I have innumerable troubles and mental oppressions. Which cometh upon me - Ἡ επισυατασις· This continual press of business; this insurrection of cases to be heard, solved, and determined, relative to the doctrine, discipline, state, persecution, and supply of all the Churches. All his perils were little in comparison of what he felt relative to the peace, government, and establishment of all the Churches among the Gentiles; for as he was the apostle of the Gentiles, the government of all the Churches among these fell in some sort on him, whether they were of his own planting or of the planting of others. See Col 2:1. None but a conscientious minister, who has at heart the salvation of souls, can enter into the apostle's feelings in this place.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:22-33

The apostle gives an account of his labours and sufferings; not out of pride or vain-glory, but to the honour of God, who enabled him to do and suffer so much for the cause of Christ; and shows wherein he excelled the false apostles, who tried to lessen his character and usefulness. It astonishes us to reflect on this account of his dangers, hardships, and sufferings, and to observe his patience, perseverance…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 →

2 Corinthians 11:28 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

χωρὶςchōrisBesidesG5565

τῶνtōnthe [things]G3588

παρεκτὸςparektosexternalG3924

ἡhētheG3588

ἐπίστασίςepistasisstoppage

μοιmoion meG3165

ἡhē<the>G3588

καθ᾽kath᾽on everyG2596

ἡμέραν,hēmerandayG2250

ἡhē<the>G3588

μέριμναmerimna[is my] careG3308

πασῶνpasōnfor allG3956

τῶνtōntheG3588

ἐκκλησιῶν.ekklēsiōnchurches.G1577

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 11:28

1 Corinthians 7:17
But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
Romans 15:16
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Acts 20:18-35
And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. …
Romans 11:13
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Acts 15:40-41
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Acts 18:23
And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
Romans 16:4
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Colossians 2:1
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Acts 20:2
And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
Acts 15:36
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
Romans 1:14
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

those.
23-27
the care.
Ac 15:36,40,41; 18:23; 20:2,18-35; Ro 1:14; 11:13; 15:16; 16:4
Col 2:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Corinthians 11:27
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2 Corinthians 11:28
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:29
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

Read all of 2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:28 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Sin otras cosas además, lo que sobre mí se agolpa cada día, la solicitud de todas las iglesias.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	outre ces choses exceptionnelles, il y a ce qui me tient assiégé tous les jours, la sollicitude pour toutes les assemblées.
German Elberfelder 1871	außer dem, was außergewöhnlich ist, noch das, was täglich auf mich andringt: die Sorge um alle Versammlungen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	præter illa quæ extrinsecus sunt, instantia mea quotidiana, sollicitudo omnium ecclesiarum.