Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 6:5

"in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;" — 2 Corinthians 6:5 (ASV)

Paul proceeds to itemize his hardships (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:9–13; 2 Corinthians 4:8–9; 11:23– 29) as he seeks to commend and defend his ministry as a servant of God and to provide the Corinthians with further material they might use in his defense (cf. 5:12). Paul’s commendation was a matter of actions, not words.

After a reference to the “great endurance” that marked all his service and suffering (cf. 12:12), Paul lists nine afflictions, which fall into three groups. (1) General trials: “troubles” are oppressive experiences; “hardships” refer to unrelieved adverse circumstances; “distresses” are frustrating tight corners (cf. 4:8). (2) Sufferings directly inflicted by others: “beatings, imprisonments and riots.” (3) Self-inflicted hardships: “hard work” includes the arduous task of incessant preaching and the toil of manual labor (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–8); “sleepless nights” means voluntary abstention from sleep (cf. Acts 20:7–11); “hunger” probably refers to voluntary fastings (cf. 11:27).