διακονοι 1249 N-NPM χριστου 5547 N-GSM εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P παραφρονων 3912 5723 V-PAP-NSM λαλω 2980 5719 V-PAI-1S υπερ 5228 PREP εγω 1473 P-1NS εν 1722 PREP κοποις 2873 N-DPM περισσοτερως 4056 ADV εν 1722 PREP πληγαις 4127 N-DPF υπερβαλλοντως 5234 ADV εν 1722 PREP φυλακαις 5438 N-DPF περισσοτερως 4056 ADV εν 1722 PREP θανατοις 2288 N-DPM πολλακις 4178 ADV
Vincent's NT Word Studies
23. Ministers of Christ Referring to his opponents' claim to have a closer connection with Christ than he had. See the note on 1 Corinthians i. 12.As a fool (parafronwn). Only here in the New Testament. See the kindred parafronia madness, 2 Pet. ii. 16. Lit., being beside myself Rev., as one beside myself. This expression is stronger than that in ver. 21, because the statement which it characterizes is stronger. Up to this point Paul has been asserting equality with the other teachers. Now he asserts superiority "I more;" and ironically characterizes this statement from their stand-point as madness.
More abundant (perissoterwv). Lit., more abundantly, as Rev.
Stripes above measure (uperballontwv). This peculiar form of suffering is emphasized by details. He specifies three Roman scourgings, and five at the hands of the Jews. Of the former, only one is recorded, that at Philippi (Acts xvi. 22, 23. See on Acts xxii. 25), and none of the latter. The Jewish scourge consisted of two thongs made of calf's or ass's skin, passing through a hole in a handle. Thirteen blows were inflicted on the breast, thirteen on the right, and thirteen on the left shoulder. The law in Deut. xxv. 3 permitted forty blows, but only thirty-nine were given, in order to avoid a possible miscount. During the punishment the chief judge read aloud Deut. xxviii. 58, 59; Deut. xxix. 9; Psalm lxviii. 38, 39. The possibility of death under the infliction was contemplated in the provision which exonerated the executioner unless he should exceed the legal number of blows. Paul escaped Roman scourging at Jerusalem on the ground of his Roman citizenship. It is not related that he and Silas urged this privilege at Philippi until after the scourging. It is evident from the narrative that they were not allowed a formal hearing before the magistrates; and, if they asserted their citizenship, it may have been that their voices were drowned by the mob. That this plea did not always avail appears from the case cited by Cicero against Verres, that he scourged a Roman citizen in spite of his continued protest under the scourge, "I am a Roman citizen" (see on Acts xvi. 37), and from well-known instances of the scourging of even senators under the Empire.
Prisons. At Philippi, and other places not recorded.
Deaths. Perils of death, as at Damascus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Thessalonica, Beroea.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:23 {As one beside himself} (parafronwn). Present active participle of parafronew. Old verb from parafrwn (para, fren), beside one's wits. Only here in N.T. Such open boasting is out of accord with Paul's spirit and habit. {I more} (huper egw). this adverbial use of huper appears in ancient Greek (Euripides). It has no effect on egw, not "more than I," but "I more than they." He claims superiority now to these "superextra apostles." {More abundant} (perissoterws). See on 7:15. No verbs with these clauses, but they are clear. {In prisons} (en fulakais). Plural also in #6:5. Clement of Rome (_Cor_. V.) says that Paul was imprisoned seven times. We know of only five (Philippi, Jerusalem, Caesarea, twice in Rome), and only one before II Corinthians (Philippi). But Luke does not tell them all nor does Paul. Had he been in prison in Ephesus? So many think and it is possible as we have seen. {Above measure} (huperballontws). Old adverb from the participle huperballontwn (huperballw, to hurl beyond). Here only in N.T. {In deaths oft} (en qanatois pollakis). He had nearly lost his life, as we know, many times (#1:9f.; 4:11).
