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Thursday, August 21st, 2025
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
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Read the Bible

Easy-to-Read Version

2 Corinthians 6:5

We are beaten and thrown into prison. People get upset at us and fight against us. We work hard, and sometimes we get no sleep or food.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Afflictions and Adversities;   Fasting;   Longsuffering;   Love;   Minister, Christian;   Patience;   Paul;   Persecution;   Prisoners;   Resignation;   Stripes;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Afflictions;   Blessings-Afflictions;   Leaders;   Ministers;   Nation, the;   Punishments;   Religious;   Stripes;   Trials;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Afflicted Saints;   Fasting;   Self-Denial;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Corinthians, First and Second, Theology of;   Leadership;   Wealth;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Watchings;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Corinth;   Jehoshaphat;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Persecution in the Bible;   Thorn in the Flesh;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Fasting;   Longsuffering;   Prison;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abstinence;   Activity;   Evil;   Perseverance;   Scourge, Scourging;   Self-Denial;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Paul;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
King James Version (1611)
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,
King James Version
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
English Standard Version
beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
New American Standard Bible
in beatings, in imprisonments, in mob attacks, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
New Century Version
We are beaten and thrown into prison. We meet those who become upset with us and start riots. We work hard, and sometimes we get no sleep or food.
Amplified Bible
in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hunger,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
Legacy Standard Bible
in beatings, in imprisonments, in disturbances, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
Berean Standard Bible
in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
Contemporary English Version
We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and have gone without sleep or food.
Complete Jewish Bible
beatings, imprisonments, riots, overwork, lack of sleep and food.
Darby Translation
in stripes, in prisons, in riots, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,
Geneva Bible (1587)
In stripes, in prisons, in tumults, in labours,
George Lamsa Translation
In scourgings, in bonds, in tumults, in toilings, in vigils, in fastings;
Good News Translation
We have been beaten, jailed, and mobbed; we have been overworked and have gone without sleep or food.
Lexham English Bible
in beatings, in prisons, in disturbances, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in going hungry,
Literal Translation
in stripes, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings,
American Standard Version
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
Bible in Basic English
In blows, in prisons, in attacks, in hard work, in watchings, in going without food;
Hebrew Names Version
in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
International Standard Version
in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger;2 Corinthians 11:23;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
by stripes, by chains, by tumults, by labour, by watching, by fasting,
Murdock Translation
in scourgings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in toil, in watching, in fasting;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
In stripes, in prisonmentes, in strifes, in labours,
English Revised Version
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
World English Bible
in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
Weymouth's New Testament
by floggings, by imprisonments; by facing riots, by toil, by sleepless watching, by hunger and thirst;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
in nedis, in angwischis, in betyngis, in prisouns, in dissensiouns with ynne, in trauels, in wakyngis, in fastyngis,
Update Bible Version
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fasts;
Webster's Bible Translation
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
New English Translation
in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger,
New King James Version
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
New Living Translation
We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.
New Life Bible
We have been beaten. We have been put in prison. We have been in fights. We have worked hard. We have stayed awake watching. We have gone without food.
New Revised Standard
beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in toilings, in watchings, in fastings,
Douay-Rheims Bible
In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,
Revised Standard Version
beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
in strypes in presonmet in stryfe in laboure in watchinge in fastyng
Young's Literal Translation
in stripes, in imprisonments, in insurrections, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
in strypes, in presonmentes, in vproures, in laboures, in watchinges, in fastynges,
Mace New Testament (1729)
from imprisonments, from tumults, from labours, from watchings, from penury.
Simplified Cowboy Version
We've been beaten and thrown into prison. We've faced down vigilante groups hell-bent on killing us. We've worked to sheer exhaustion and not slept a wink at night. And there's been many a day we didn't even have a piece of beef jerky to eat.

Contextual Overview

1 We are workers together with God. So we beg you: Don't let the grace that you received from God be for nothing. 2 God says, "I heard you at the right time, and I gave you help on the day of salvation." I tell you that the "right time" is now. The "day of salvation" is now. 3 We don't want people to find anything wrong with our work. So we do nothing that will be a problem to others. 4 But in every way we show that we are servants of God. We never give up, even though we face troubles, difficulties, and problems of every kind. 5 We are beaten and thrown into prison. People get upset at us and fight against us. We work hard, and sometimes we get no sleep or food. 6 We show that we are God's servants by our pure lives, by our understanding, by our patience, and by our kindness. We show it by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, 7 by speaking the truth, and by depending on God's power. This right way of living has prepared us to defend ourselves against every kind of attack. 8 Some people honor us, but others shame us. Some people say good things about us, but others say bad things. Some people say we are liars, but we speak the truth. 9 To some people we are not known, but we are well known. We seem to be dying, but look! We continue to live. We are punished, but we are not killed. 10 We have much sadness, but we are always rejoicing. We are poor, but we are making many people rich in faith. We have nothing, but really we have everything.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

stripes: 2 Corinthians 11:23-25, Deuteronomy 25:3, Isaiah 53:5, Acts 16:23

imprisonments: 1 Kings 22:27, 2 Chronicles 16:10, Jeremiah 33:1, Jeremiah 37:15, Jeremiah 37:16, Jeremiah 38:6, Matthew 14:3, Matthew 14:10, Acts 5:18, Acts 12:4, Acts 12:5, Acts 16:24, Acts 22:24, Acts 23:35, Acts 24:27, Acts 26:10, Acts 26:29, Acts 28:16, Acts 28:17, Acts 28:30, Ephesians 3:1, Philippians 1:13, 2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 2:9, Hebrews 11:36, Hebrews 13:23, Revelation 2:10

in tumults: or, in tossings to and fro, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, Acts 14:19, Acts 17:5, Acts 18:12-17, Acts 19:23-34, Acts 21:27-35, Acts 22:23, Acts 23:10

labours: 2 Corinthians 11:23, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 1 Timothy 4:10

watchings: 2 Corinthians 11:27, Ezekiel 3:17, Mark 13:34-37, Acts 20:31, 2 Timothy 4:5, Hebrews 13:17

fastings: Matthew 9:15, Acts 13:3, Acts 14:23, 1 Corinthians 7:5

Reciprocal: Matthew 6:16 - when Mark 2:20 - and Mark 9:29 - fasting Acts 13:2 - fasted Acts 16:19 - they Acts 16:22 - the magistrates 1 Corinthians 4:11 - unto 1 Corinthians 9:27 - I keep Colossians 1:29 - labour James 5:7 - Be patient Revelation 2:3 - hast laboured

Cross-References

Genesis 6:1
The number of people on earth continued to increase. When these people had daughters, the sons of God saw how beautiful they were. So they chose the women they wanted. They married them, and the women had their children. Then the Lord said, "People are only human. I will not let my Spirit be troubled by them forever. I will let them live only 120 years." During this time and also later, the Nephilim people lived in the land. They have been famous as powerful soldiers since ancient times.
Genesis 6:9
This is the history of Noah's family. He was a good man all his life, and he always followed God.
Genesis 6:19
Also, you will take two of every living thing on the earth with you into the boat. Take a male and female of every kind of animal so that they might survive with you.
Genesis 6:20
Two of every kind of bird, animal, and creeping thing will come to you so that you might keep them alive.
Genesis 6:21
Also bring every kind of food into the boat, for you and for the animals."
Genesis 8:21
The Lord smelled these sacrifices, and it pleased him. The Lord said to himself, "I will never again curse the earth as a way to punish people. People are evil from the time they are young, but I will never again destroy every living thing on the earth as I did this time.
Genesis 13:13
The Lord knew that the people of Sodom were very evil sinners.
Deuteronomy 29:19
"Some people might hear these curses and comfort themselves by saying, ‘I will continue doing what I want. Nothing bad will happen to me.' But that attitude will bring total disaster.
Job 15:16
People are even worse. They are disgusting and dirty. They drink up evil like water.
Psalms 53:2
God looks down from heaven to see if there is anyone who is wise, anyone who looks to him for help.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

In stripes,.... As the Apostle Paul particularly was, who was thrice beaten with rods, and five times scourged by the Jews with the scourge of forty stripes save one.

In imprisonments; under which are included bonds, in which they often were for the Gospel of Christ:

in tumults; and uproars of the people, when their lives were frequently in imminent danger: or "in tossings to and fro"; being drove from place to place through the fury of their enemies;

in labours; in a laborious ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances; or by labouring with their own hands to supply their necessities:

in watchings; being obliged to work night and day at their hand labour, and in preaching, praying, and singing psalms; which exercises they were often employed in at midnight:

in fastings; by which are meant not voluntary, but involuntary ones, through want of food to eat.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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-laborers were scourged in the synagogues and cities as if they had been the worst of people. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-25, Paul says that he had been scourged five times by the Jews, and had been thrice beaten with rods. See the notes on that place.

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

In tumults - Margin, “Tossing to and fro.” The Greek word (ἀκαταστασία akatastasia) denotes properly “instability,” thence disorder, tumult, commotion. Here it means that in the various tumults and commotions which were produced by the preaching of the gospel, Paul endeavored 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 19:0, and in various other places. The idea is, that if the ministers of religion are assailed by a lawless mob, they are to endeavor 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 labors - Referring probably to the labors of the ministry, and its incessant duties, and perhaps also to the labors which they performed for their own support, as it is well known that Paul and probably also the other apostles, labored often to support themselves.

In watchings - In wakefulness, or lack 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 2 Corinthians 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 traveled 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 overestimate in value; and for the extension and perpetuity of such a religion, we also should be willing to practice unwearied self denial.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 6:5. 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 labours — Both with our own hands to provide for ourselves the necessaries of life, that we might not be chargeable to others; and in labours 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.


 
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