John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 11:28

"Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches." — 2 Corinthians 11:28 (ASV)

Besides those things that are without — “Besides those things,” he says, “which come upon me from all sides, and are, as it were, extraordinary, what estimate must be made of that ordinary burden that constantly presses upon me—the care that I have of all the Churches.” He appropriately calls the care of all the Churches his ordinary burden. For I have taken the liberty of rendering ἐπισύστασιν in this way, as it sometimes means—whatever presses upon us.

Whoever is truly concerned for the Church of God stirs himself up and bears a heavy burden, which presses upon his shoulders. What a picture we have here of a complete minister, embracing in his anxieties and aims not one Church merely, or ten, or thirty, but all of them together, so that he instructs some, confirms others, exhorts others, gives counsel to some, and applies a remedy to the diseases of others!

Now from Paul’s words we may infer that no one can have a heartfelt concern for the Churches without being harassed with many difficulties. For the government of the Church is no pleasant occupation, in which we may exercise ourselves pleasantly and with delight of heart, but a hard and severe warfare, as has been previously mentioned (2 Corinthians 10:4)—Satan from time to time causing us as much trouble as he can, and leaving no stone unturned to trouble us.