In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

2 CORINTHIANS 6:5KJV
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2 Corinthians 6:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 6:5 mean?

2 Corinthians 6:5 lists some of the hardships Paul and his companions endured: beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, and going without food. Paul is describing the real difficulties he faced as he served and represented Christ.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, reminding them of the genuine suffering and effort that came with his ministry. By listing these hardships, Paul shows that his commitment to the gospel was proven through real, often painful experiences, not just words or status.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 6:5

  • The word for "stripes" (πληγαῖς, plēgais) refers to physical beatings or lashings, highlighting the violence Paul endured.
  • "Imprisonments" (φυλακαῖς, phylakais) points to times Paul was jailed, showing that his ministry often led to legal trouble and confinement.
  • "Tumults" (ἀκαταστασίαις, akatastasiais) means public disturbances or riots, suggesting that Paul's preaching sometimes caused social unrest.
  • "Labours" (κόποις, kopois) refers to exhausting work, emphasizing the effort and toil involved in his ministry.
  • "Watchings" (ἀγρυπνίαις, agrypniais) means sleeplessness or staying awake, likely from both danger and dedication.
  • "Fastings" (νηστείαις, nēsteiais) can mean both voluntary fasting and going without food due to hardship, showing both spiritual discipline and physical deprivation.

Why 2 Corinthians 6:5 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that serving Christ was easy or comfortable for Paul; it involved real suffering and sacrifice.
  • Paul’s list of hardships helps the Corinthians see that his authority and sincerity come from lived experience, not just words or titles.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where Paul is defending his ministry and urging the Corinthians to recognize genuine faithfulness, even when it comes with pain and difficulty.

Where else these words appear

“watchings” Greek G70 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

“tumults” Greek G181 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

“fastings” Greek G3521 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
  • Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
  • Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

“labours” Greek G2873 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.