Back to 2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:31-33

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the Damascenes’ city, desiring to arrest me. I was let down in a basket through a window by the wall, and escaped his hands.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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2 Corinthians 11:31-33 sits inside this longer paragraph.

Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily: anxiety for all the assemblies. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the Damascenes’ city, desiring to arrest me. I was let down in a basket through a window by the wall, and escaped his hands.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie.

    In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the Damascenes’ city, desiring to arrest me.

    I was let down in a basket through a window by the wall, and escaped his hands.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    The God and father of oure lorde Iesus Christ which is blessed for evermore knoweth that I lye not

    In the citie of Damascon the governer of the people vnder kynge Aretas layde watche in the citie of the Damasces and wolde have caught me

    and at a wyndowe was I let doune in a basket thorowe the wall and so scaped his hondes.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    The God, euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which is blessed for euermore, knoweth that I lie not.

    In Damascus the gouernour of the people vnder King Aretas, layde watch in the citie of the Damascens, and would haue caught me.

    But at a window was I let downe in a basket through the wall, and escaped his handes.

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Cross-references (26)

  • Romans 9:5 (v31) of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.
  • Ephesians 1:3 (v31) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
  • John 10:30 (v31) I and the Father are one.”
  • Acts 9:25 (v33) but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
  • Romans 1:25 (v31) who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Show all 26 cross-references
  • Romans 15:6 (v31) that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3 (v31) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
  • Colossians 1:3 (v31) We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
  • 1 Peter 1:3 (v31) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope…
  • Joshua 2:18 (v33) Behold, when we come into the land, tie this line of scarlet thread in the window which you used to let us down. Gather to yourself into…
  • 1 Samuel 19:12 (v33) So Michal let David down through the window. He went away, fled, and escaped.
  • Nehemiah 9:5 (v31) Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless Yahweh…
  • John 20:17 (v31) Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my…
  • Acts 9:24-25 (v32) but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him, but his disciples took him by…
  • Romans 1:9 (v31) For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,
  • Romans 9:1 (v31) I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit
  • 2 Corinthians 1:23 (v31) But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn’t come to Corinth to spare you.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:11 (v31) Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:26 (v32) I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city,…
  • Galatians 1:2-3 (v31) and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
  • Ephesians 3:14 (v31) For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
  • 1 Timothy 1:11 (v31) according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
  • 1 Timothy 1:17 (v31) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
  • 1 Timothy 6:16 (v31) He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
  • Psalms 41:13 (v31) Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:5 (v31) For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (18 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On v31 31. The God and Father As he was about…

31. The God and Father As he was about to relate a singular feat, which, at the same time, was not well known, he confirms it by making use of an oath. Observe, however, what is the form of a pious oath, — when, for the purpose of declaring the truth, we reverently call God as our witness. Now this persecution was, as it were, Paul’s first apprenticeship, as appears from Luke, (Acts 9:23-25); but if, while yet a raw recruit, he was exercised in such beginnings, what shall we think of him, when a veteran soldier? As, however, flight gives no evidence of a valiant spirit, it may be asked, why it is that he makes mention of his flight? I answer, that the gates of the royal city having been closed, clearly showed with what rage the wicked were inflamed against him; and it was on no light grounds that they had been led to entertain such a feeling, for if Paul had not fought for Christ with a new and unusual activity, the wicked would never have been thrown into such a commotion. His singular perseverance, however, shone forth chiefly in this — that, after escaping from so severe a persecution, he did not cease to stir up the whole world against him, by prosecuting fearlessly the Lord’s work.

It may be, however, that he proceeds to mock those ambitious men, who, while they had never had experience of any thing but applauses, favors, honorable salutations, and agreeable lodgings, wished to be held in the highest esteem. For, in opposition to this, he relates, that he was shut in, so that he could with difficulty save his life by a miserable and ignominious flight.

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Some, however, ask, whether it was lawful for Paul to leap over the walls, inasmuch as it was a capital crime to do so? I answer, in the first place, that it is not certain, whether that punishment was sanctioned by law in the East; and farther, that even if it was so, Paul, nevertheless, was guilty of no crime, because he did not do this as an enemy, or for sport, but from necessity. For the law would not punish a man, that would throw himself down from the walls to save his life from the flames; and what difference is there between a fire, and a fierce attack from robbers? We must always, in connection with laws, have an eye to reason and equity. This consideration will exempt Paul entirely from blame.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv31–33 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv31–32 Whether this phrase be the form of an oath,…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv31–32 Observe here, How the apostle, in a most awful…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv31–32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king,.... Aretas…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv32–33 The governor under Aretas - King of Arabia and…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv31–33 Verse 31. The God and Father of our Lord]…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v32 2Co 11:32-33. In Damascus, &c. — As if he…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv31–33 The God and Father ... - Paul was accustomed…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv31–32 This solemn asseveration refers to what follows. The persecution…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv31–33 31. This adjuration that I lie not, is, like…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv31–33 31. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv31–33 (31) The God and Father of our Lord Jesus…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv31–33 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.…
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv31–33 31. The God and Father … knoweth, etc. He…
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On vv31–33 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he…
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v32 the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v32 11:32-33 As a final “boast” of his weakness, Paul…
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