2 Corinthians 11:26; In Perils of Robbers, by Mine Own Countrymen
2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
The Apostle Paul recounts in short staccato salvos the occupational hazards of an itinerant evangelist. These center around travel, which has always (until recent history) been a risky undertaking. Like most, Paul would have traveled on foot and been subject to cold, heat, dust, mud, and all the vicissitudes of capricious weather. For accommodation, Paul and his traveling companions (he would not have traveled alone, if at all possible) would have relied on the hospitality of local residents, inns, or sleeping in the open, if need be. Horace (65-8 B.C.) describes a journey that involved all three at various points. Though decent lodging could occasionally be found, inns were notorious for bed bugs, rough characters, and promiscuity. Bandits, too, were a perennial threat (Luke 10:35-35), and every precaution was taken to ensure safe passage.ยน
This provides some background to the sufferings of the Apostle Paul so that the church in Corinth will make a sanctified choice to receive him and reject the false apostles. It is a plea from God’s servant to not spurn the grace and blessing of God. The psalmist warned in Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.