2 Corinthians 11:26

in perils of waters Literally, rivers (flodis, Wiclif). Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:30. When bridges were rare, such perils were frequent. What they are, even now, in less civilized regions, the recent loss sustained by our troops in Afghanistan (in April, 1879) by a sudden spate, after several regiments had crossed the same river in perfect safety, may serve to shew us. Stanley refers also to the fate of Frederick Barbarossa at a place not far from Tarsus. See also Conybeare and Howson's St Paul, 1. 457.

in perils of robbers What these were in Judaea in those times we may learn from the well-known parable recorded in St Luke 10. The danger to the traveller in Palestine and the neighbourhood from bands of wandering Bedouins is still almost as great if the traveller in those parts ventures about without the protection afforded by a caravan. Mr Cyril Graham and other recent travellers have recorded their detention by the Arabs until rescued or ransomed.

in perils by my own countrymen (of kyn. So Wiclif, literally. Cf. Acts 7:19; Galatians 1:14, in the Greek). These were not the least among the dangers St Paul had to encounter, as Acts 9:23; Acts 9:29; Acts 13:50; Acts 14:5; Acts 14:19; Acts 17:5; Acts 17:13; Acts 18:12 testify. And doubtless there are many such dangers which have been allowed to remain entirely unrecorded, but which may be imagined from what we read, and above all from the yet more serious dangers which befel the Apostle in consequence of his visit to Jerusalem, recorded in Acts 21, the record of which takes up the remainder of the book. Cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16, St Paul's first extant Epistle, written, be it remembered, from Corinth.

by the heathen See Acts 16:19-39; Acts 19:23-34.

in the city See last note, and Acts 9:23; Acts 9:29, as well as 2 Corinthians 11:32 of this chapter.

in the wilderness Translated desertin Acts 8:26. Cf. St Matthew 14:13; Matthew 14:15. It means any place void of inhabitants. Hunger and thirst, as well as robbers, were among the perils thus to be endured. If any one should object that the Apostle thus repeats himself, it may be observed that the expressions here used are arranged in pairs, and are intended to shew that wherever he was, and whatever he did, the Apostle was in danger.

in the sea Not a mere repetition. "There are many perils in the sea," pirates, for instance, especially in days long past "short of shipwreck." Alford.

among false brethren Cf. Galatians 2:4 and 2 Corinthians 11:13 of this chapter. It refers, no doubt, chiefly to the Judaizing teachers (see 2 Corinthians 11:22), but need not be confined to them. Any one who falsely pretends to be a disciple of Christ may be thus described. Cf. Acts 20:29; 2 Peter 2 (throughout); 1 John 2:18-19; 1Jn 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2Jn 1:7; 2 John 1:9; 3 John 1:9; Judges 4:7; Revelation 2:2; Revelation 2:15; Revelation 2:20.