2 Corinthians 6 · Verse 5

2 Corinthians 6:5

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
2 Corinthians 6:5, King James Version

2 Corinthians 6:5 in other translations

BSBin beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
WEBin beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings,
ASVin stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
YLTin stripes, in imprisonments, in insurrections, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,
DARBYin stripes, in prisons, in riots, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,
BBEIn blows, in prisons, in attacks, in hard work, in watchings, in going without food;
WebsterIn stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

What does 2 Corinthians 6:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. stripes--(2Co 11:23, 24; Ac 16:23). imprisonments--(2Co 11:23). He had been, doubtless, elsewhere imprisoned besides at Philippi when he wrote this Epistle. tumults--(Ac 13:50; 14:5, 19; 16:22; and recently Ac 19:23-41). labours--in the cause of Christ (2Co 11:23; Ro 16:12). watchings--(2Co 11:27). Sleepless nights. fastings--The context here refers to his trials, rather than devotional exercises (compare 2Co 11:27). Thus "foodlessness" would seem to be the sense (compare 1Co 4:11; Php 4:12). But the usual sense of the Greek is fasts, in the strict sense; and in 2Co 11:27 it is spoken of independently of "hunger and thirst." (Compare Lu 2:37; Ac 10:30; 14:23). However, Mt 15:32; Mr 8:3, justify the sense, more favored by the context, foodlessness, though a rare use of the word. Gaussen remarks "The apostles combine the highest offices with the humblest exterior: as everything in the Church was to be cast in the mould of death and resurrection, the cardinal principle throughout Christianity."

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. In stripes. In this verse, Paul proceeds to specifications of what he had been called to endure. In the previous verse, he had spoken of his afflictions in general terms. In this expression, he refers to the fact that he and his fellow-labourers were scourged in the synagogues and cities as if they had been the worst of men. In 2Cor 11:23-25, Paul says that he had been scourged five times by the Jews, and had been thrice beaten with rods. 2Cor 11:23.

In imprisonments. As at Philippi, Acts 16:24, seq. It was no uncommon thing for the early preachers of Christianity to be imprisoned.

In tumults. Marg., Tossings to and fro. The Greek word (ακαταστασια) denotes, properly, instability; thence disorder, tumult, commotion, here it means they in the various tumults and commotions which were produced by the preaching of the gospel, Paul endeavoured to act as became a minister of God. Such tumults were excited at Corinth, (Acts 18:6;) at Philippi, (Acts 16:19,20;) at Lystra and Derbe, (Acts 14:19;) at Ephesus, (Acts 19;) and in various other places. The idea is, that if the ministers of religion are assailed by a lawless mob, they are to endeavour to show the spirit of Christ there, and to evince all patience, and to do good even in such a scene. Patience and the Christian spirit may often do more good in such scenes than much preaching would do elsewhere.

In labours. Referring probably to the labours of the ministry, and its incessant duties, and perhaps also to the labours which they performed for their own support, as it is well known that Paul, and probably also the other apostles, laboured often to support themselves.

In watchings. In wakefulness, or want of sleep. He probably refers to the fact that in these arduous duties, and in his travels, and in anxious cares for the churches, and for the advancement of religion, he was often deprived of his ordinary rest. He refers to this again in 2Cor 11:27.

In fastings. Referring probably not only to the somewhat frequent fasts to which he voluntarily submitted as acts of devotion, but also to the fact that in his travels, when abroad and among strangers, he was often destitute of food. To such trials, those who travelled as Paul did, among strangers, and without property, would be often compelled to submit; and such trials, almost without number, the religion which we now enjoy has cost. It at first cost the painful life, the toils, the anxieties, and the sufferings of the Redeemer; and it has been propagated and perpetuated amidst the deep sorrows, the sacrifices, and the tears and blood of those who have contributed to perpetuate it on earth. For such a religion--originated, extended, and preserved in such a manner--we can never express suitable gratitude to God. Such a religion we cannot over-estimate in value; and for the extension and perpetuity of such a religion, we also should be willing to practise unwearied self-denial.

(b) "in imprisonments" 2Cor 11:23 (2) "in tumults" "in tossings to and fro"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 In stripes, in imprisonments - Of these the history of the Acts of the Apostles gives ample testimony; and there were doubtless many instances of persecution in various forms which are not on record. In tumults - Ακαταστασιαις· Insurrections raised against them because of the Gospel. It is more natural to understand the word thus, than of agitations, or tossings to and fro in consequence of their unsettled state of life; or because of persecution, which obliged them to flee from place to place. In labors - Both with our own hands to provide for ourselves the necessaries of life, that we might not be chargeable to others; and in labors to spread the Gospel of God through all countries where his providence opened our way. In watchings - Passing many nights without sleep or rest. In fastings - Partly constrained through want of food; and partly voluntary, as a means of obtaining an increase of grace both for ourselves and for the Churches.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 →

2 Corinthians 6:5 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.

ἐνeninG1722
πληγαῖς,plēgaisbeatings,G4127
ἐνeninG1722
φυλακαῖς,phulakaisimprisonments,G5438
ἐνeninG1722
ἀκαταστασίαις,akatastasiaisriots,G181
ἐνeninG1722
κόποις,kopoislabors,G2873
ἐνeninG1722
ἀγρυπνίαις,agrupniaiswatchings,G70
ἐνeninG1722
νηστείαις,nēsteiaisfastings,G3521

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

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 6:5

  • 2 Corinthians 11:23-25

    Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

  • 2 Corinthians 11:27

    In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

  • Hebrews 11:36

    And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

  • Acts 19:23-34

    And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: …

  • Acts 17:5

    But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

  • Acts 18:12-17

    And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. …

  • Jeremiah 37:15-16

    Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison. When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;

  • 2 Timothy 2:9

    Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

  • Mark 13:34-37

    For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

  • Matthew 14:10

    And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

  • Hebrews 13:17

    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

  • Acts 12:4-5

    And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
stripes.
11:23-25; De 25:3; Isa 53:5; Ac 16:23
imprisonments.
1Ki 22:27; 2Ch 16:10; Jer 33:1; 37:15,16; 38:6; Mt 14:3,10; Ac 5:18
Ac 12:4,5; 16:24; 22:24; 23:35; 24:27; 26:10,29; 28:16,17,30; Eph 3:1
Php 1:13; 2Ti 1:8; 2:9; Heb 11:36; 13:23; Re 2:10
in tumults. or, in tossings to and fro.
1:8-10; Ac 14:19; 17:5; 18:12-17; 19:23-34; 21:27-35; 22:23; 23:10
labours.
11:23; 1Co 15:10; 1Th 2:9; 1Ti 4:10
watchings.
11:27; Eze 3:17; Mr 13:34-37; Ac 20:31; 2Ti 4:5; Heb 13:17
fastings.
Mt 9:15; Ac 13:3; 14:23; 1Co 7:5

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

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 6:4

    But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

  • 2 Corinthians 6:5

    In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

  • 2 Corinthians 6:6

    By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

Read all of 2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 6:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		En azotes, en cárceles, en alborotos, en trabajos, en vigilias, en ayunos;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		sous les coups, dans les prisons, dans les troubles, dans les travaux, dans les veilles, dans les jeûnes,
German
Elberfelder 1871		in Streichen, in Gefängnissen, in Aufständen, in Mühen, in Wachen, in Fasten;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		in plagis, in carceribus, in seditionibus, in laboribus, in vigiliis, in jejuniis,