2 Corinthians 11:23

Reluctantly speaking 'as a madman,' Paul claims to be a servant of Christ far beyond his rivals, pointing not to privilege but to suffering. It matters because genuine ministry is measured by costly labor for Christ, not self-promotion.

Cross-references · 38

• 2 Cor 6:4–5Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
• Col 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
• 2 Cor 6:9as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed;
• 2 Cor 1:9–10Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.
• 1 Cor 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
• 2 Cor 11:24–25Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
• 2 Cor 3:6And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
• Acts 9:16I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”
• 2 Tim 2:9for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
• Col 1:29To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.
• 1 Cor 3:5What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.
• Phil 1:13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
• Phlm 1:9I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
• Eph 6:20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.
• 1 Cor 15:30–32And why do we endanger ourselves every hour?
• Phil 2:17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
• 1 Th 3:2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
• 1 Tim 4:6By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
• 2 Tim 1:16May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains.
• 2 Tim 1:8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
• Heb 10:34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.
• Rom 8:36As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
• Acts 24:26–27At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
• Acts 20:23I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.
• Acts 27:1When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.
• Acts 14:19Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, presuming he was dead.
• Acts 16:23–24And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely.
• Acts 28:30Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.
• Acts 28:16When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
• Acts 21:11Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
• 2 Cor 10:7You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does.
• 2 Cor 11:5I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”
• 2 Cor 12:11–12I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
• 2 Cor 4:11For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.
• Eph 3:1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...
• Eph 4:1As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
• Acts 25:14Since they were staying several days, Festus laid out Paul’s case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison.
• 1 Cor 4:1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

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