2 Corinthians 11:25; Beaten with Rods
2 Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
This punishment was a distinctively Roman way of dealing with a malefactor. The rods were made of wood, and the sentence would be executed by the lictor, who assisted the magistrate with the enforcement of corporal punishment. Acts records that Paul and Silas were severely beaten with rods in Philippi (Acts 16:22-23), even though it was illegal to flog a Roman citizen.
Acts 16:22-23 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast theminto prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
Numerous examples can be found where the law was ignored by a magistrate. As Romans, the Corinthians would have been keenly aware of the social stigma attached to this punishment, which underscores again the Apostle Paul’s determination to undermine the inverted value system of the Corinthians by boasting in the very things they would have regarded as shameful (2 Corinthians 11:30; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.¹
2 Corinthians 11:30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Unless God was with the Apostle Paul, a mere man cannot endure such hardship. Even though the cause may be noble and there are spiritual rewards awaiting the sufferer, it is only by the power of God that one can endure the persecution that comes with the work of the gospel.
The clarion call of the Great Commission given by our Lord Jesus rings with renewed strength to the church to rise up to the challenge of the time:
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, evenunto the end of the world.Amen.
¹Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, NewTestament – Romans to Philemon.