Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 6:5
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
5. in stripes ] Cf. ch. 2Co 11:23-24; Act 16:23.
in imprisonments ] Cf. ch. 2Co 11:23. The Acts of the Apostles, up to this date, records only one such, namely that at Philippi, Act 16:23-40. But the Acts is far from recording all the events of St Paul’s life. See notes on ch. 11:and on ch. 2Co 1:8.
in tumults ] The word in the original signifies primarily unsettlement. Cf. margin of A. V., tossings to and fro. St Chrysostom would interpret it of the uncertain dwelling-place of the Apostle. But the word came to mean disorder or tumult. See Luk 21:9; 1Co 14:33; Jas 3:16, as well as ch 2Co 12:20, where the word occurs. In these passages moral disorder, not local unsettlement, is clearly implied. For the tumults which the Apostle went through see Act 13:50; Act 14:5; Act 14:19; Act 16:22; Act 17:5; Act 18:12; Act 19:23-41.
in labours ] i.e. (1) the toils by which he supported himself (cf. Act 18:3; Act 20:34 ; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8); and (2) his labours for the cause of Christ (cf Rom 16:12; 1Ti 4:10).
in watchings ] Literally, sleeplessnesses, caused by “manual labour, teaching, travelling, meditating, praying, cares and the like.” Meyer.
in fastings ] Since St Paul himself distinguished these fastings from ordinary hunger and thirst (ch. 2Co 11:27) we must do so also. “Not fasting from want, but a voluntary exercise of abstinence.” Calvin. Fasting, we know, was practised under the new Covenant as well as the old. See Act 13:2-3; Act 14:23.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
In stripes – In this verse, Paul proceeds to specifications of what he had been called to endure. In the previous verse, he had spoken of his afflictions in general terms. In this expression, he refers to the fact that he and his fellow-laborers were scourged in the synagogues and cities as if they had been the worst of people. In 2Co 11:23-25, Paul says that he had been scourged five times by the Jews, and had been thrice beaten with rods. See the notes on that place.
In imprisonments – As at Philippi; Act 16:24 ff. It was no uncommon thing for the early preachers of Christianity to be imprisoned.
In tumults – Margin, Tossing to and fro. The Greek word ( akatastasia) denotes properly instability, thence disorder, tumult, commotion. Here it means that in the various tumults and commotions which were produced by the preaching of the gospel, Paul endeavored to act as became a minister of God. Such tumults were excited at Corinth Act 18:6; at Philippi Act 16:19-20; at Lystra and Derbe Act 14:19; at Ephesus Acts 19, and in various other places. The idea is, that if the ministers of religion are assailed by a lawless mob, they are to endeavor to show the spirit of Christ there, and to evince all patience, and to do good even in such a scene. Patience and the Christian spirit may often do more good in such scenes than much preaching would do elsewhere.
In labors – Referring probably to the labors of the ministry, and its incessant duties, and perhaps also to the labors which they performed for their own support, as it is well known that Paul and probably also the other apostles, labored often to support themselves.
In watchings – In wakefulness, or lack of sleep. He probably refers to the fact that in these arduous duties, and in his travels, and in anxious cares for the churches, and for the advancement of religion, he was often deprived of his ordinary rest. He refers to this again in 2Co 11:27.
In fastings – Referring probably not only to the somewhat frequent fasts to which he voluntarily submitted as acts of devotion, but also to the fact that in his travels, when abroad and among strangers, he was often destitute of food. To such trials, those who traveled as Paul did, among strangers, and without property, would be often compelled to submit; and such trials, almost without number, the religion which we now enjoy has cost. It at first cost the painful life, the toils, the anxieties, and the sufferings of the Redeemer; and it has been propagated and perpetuated amidst the deep sorrows, the sacrifices, and the tears and blood of those who have contributed to perpetuate it on earth. For such a religion, originated, extended, and preserved in such a manner, we can never express suitable gratitude to God. Such a religion we cannot overestimate in value; and for the extension and perpetuity of such a religion, we also should be willing to practice unwearied self denial.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. In stripes, in imprisonments] Of these the history of the Acts of the Apostles gives ample testimony; and there were doubtless many instances of persecution in various forms which are not on record.
In tumults] . Insurrections raised against them because of the Gospel. It is more natural to understand the word thus, than of agitations, or tossings to and fro in consequence of their unsettled state of life; or because of persecution, which obliged them to flee from place to place.
In labours] Both with our own hands to provide for ourselves the necessaries of life, that we might not be chargeable to others; and in labours to spread the Gospel of God through all countries where his providence opened our way.
In watchings] Passing many nights without sleep or rest.
In fastings] Partly constrained through want of food; and partly voluntary, as a means of obtaining an increase of grace both for ourselves and for the Churches.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In stripes: the apostle, 2Co 11:23, tells us he was in stripes above measure; and 2Co 11:24, that of the Jews he five times received forty stripes save one: we read of his many stripes, Act 16:23.
In imprisonments; of the imprisonment of him and Silas, Act 16:23, which was not the only time before the writing of this Epistle, as appeareth by this verse.
In tumults, or seditions raised by the Jews and the heathens; we have a record of one at Ephesus, Act 19:21-41, caused by Demetrius: others, by tumults, here, understand unfixed and uncertain habitations, tossing to and fro, so as they could be quiet in no place; but the former seemeth rather the sense of the word, as Luk 21:9; 1Co 14:33.
In labours; he either means labours with his hands, (which Paul was sometimes put to, as Act 18:3; 20:34), or travels and journeys. The word is a general word, significative of any pains that men take.
In watchings; religious watching, 2Co 11:27.
In fastings, as acts of discipline, by which he kept under his body, and brought it into subjection, as he told us, 1Co 9:27.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. stripes (2Co 11:23;2Co 11:24; Act 16:23).
imprisonments (2Co11:23). He had been, doubtless, elsewhere imprisoned besides atPhilippi when he wrote this Epistle.
tumults (Act 13:50;Act 14:5; Act 14:19;Act 16:22; and recently Ac19:23-41).
laboursin the cause ofChrist (2Co 11:23; Rom 16:12).
watchings (2Co11:27). Sleepless nights.
fastingsThe contexthere refers to his trials, rather than devotional exercises(compare 2Co 11:27). Thus”foodlessness” would seem to be the sense (compare 1Co 4:11;Phi 4:12). But the usual sense ofthe Greek is fasts, in the strict sense; and in 2Co11:27 it is spoken of independently of “hunger and thirst.”(Compare Luk 2:37; Act 10:30;Act 14:23). However, Mat 15:32;Mar 8:3, justify the sense, morefavored by the context, foodlessness, though a rare use of theword. GAUSSEN remarks “Theapostles combine the highest offices with the humblest exterior: aseverything in the Church was to be cast in the mould of death andresurrection, the cardinal principle throughout Christianity.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
In stripes,…. As the Apostle Paul particularly was, who was thrice beaten with rods, and five times scourged by the Jews with the scourge of forty stripes save one.
In imprisonments; under which are included bonds, in which they often were for the Gospel of Christ:
in tumults; and uproars of the people, when their lives were frequently in imminent danger: or “in tossings to and fro”; being drove from place to place through the fury of their enemies;
in labours; in a laborious ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances; or by labouring with their own hands to supply their necessities:
in watchings; being obliged to work night and day at their hand labour, and in preaching, praying, and singing psalms; which exercises they were often employed in at midnight:
in fastings; by which are meant not voluntary, but involuntary ones, through want of food to eat.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In stripes ( ). In blows, wounds (Luke 10:30; Luke 12:48; Acts 16:23; Acts 16:33). Our plague.
In tumults ( ). See on 1Co 14:33). Instabilities, often from politics.
In watchings ( ). In sleeplessnesses, instances of insomnia. Old word, in N.T. only here and 11:27. Paul knew all about this.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Imprisonments [] . See on Act 5:21.
Tumults [] . See on Luk 21:9, and compare ajkatastatov unstable, Jas 1:8. This is one of the words which show the influence of political changes. From the original meaning of unsettledness, it developed, through the complications in Greece and in the East after the death of Alexander, into the sense which it has in Luke – political instability. One of the Greek translators of the Old Testament uses it in the sense of dread or anxious care.
Watchings [] . Only here and ch. 11 27. See on the kindred verb, Mr 13:33. For the historical facts, see Act 16:25; Act 20:7 – 11, 31; 2Th 3:8.
Fastings [] . Mostly of voluntary fasting, as Mt 17:21; Act 14:23; but voluntary fasting would be out of place in an enumeration of hardships.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “In stripes,” (en plegais) “In stripes,” lashes, Act 16:23; Act 22:24.
2) “In imprisonments,” (en phulakais) “in prisons,” or “imprisonment experiences,” Act 23:25.
3) “In tumults,” (en akatastasiais) “In commotions,” unsettled experiences,” publicly popular opposition, Act 17:5-9; Act 10:26-29.
4) “In labours,” (en kopois) “in labours,” tedious toil, work of many kinds, 1Co 15:10; 2Co 11:23-28; Including tent making, travel, fundraising, writing, teaching and preaching the gospel; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8; 1Co 4:11.
5) “In watchings,” (en agrupniais) “in watchings,” for the souls of others, by anxieties of nights and urgency of prayers, day and night for others, Eph 6:18; Heb 13:17; Eze 3:17; Jer 6:17.
6) “In fastings,” (en nesteiais) “in times of fasting,” self-denial and mortification, putting to death, or keeping the flesh unfruitful, Col 3:5-6; because of toil, sleeplessness, no food, at times Paul too was often in fastings, 1Co 4:11; Php_4:12; 2Co 11:27.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
5. In tumults In proportion to the calmness and gentleness of Paul’s disposition was there the greater excellence displayed in his standing undaunted in the face of tumults; and he takes praise to himself on this account — that while he regarded tumults with abhorrence, he nevertheless encountered them with bravery. (587) Nor does the praise simply consist in his being unmoved by tumults, (this being commonly found among all riotous persons, (588)) but in his being thrown into no alarm by tumults that had been stirred up through the fault of others. And, unquestionably, two things are required on the part of ministers of the Gospel — that they should endeavor to the utmost of their power to maintain peace, and yet on the other hand go forward, undaunted, through the midst of commotions, so as not to turn aside from the right course, though heaven and earth should be mingled. (589) Chrysostom, however, prefers to understand ἀκαταστασίαις to mean — frequent expulsions, (590) inasmuch as there afforded him a place of rest. (591) In fastings He does not mean — hunger arising from destitution, but a voluntary exercise of abstinence.
(587) “ D’vne courage magnanime;” — “With magnanimous heroism.”
(588) “ Veu que cela est coustumier… tous mutins de ne s’estonner point quand seditions s’esmeuuent;” — “As it is customary for all riotous persons to be thrown into no alarm when tumults break out.”
(589) A proverbial expression made use of by Virgil. ‘n. I. 133,134 — Ed.
(590) “ L’incommodite de ce qu’il estoit souuent contraint de changer de pays, pource qu’ on ne le laissoit en paix en quelque lieu qu’il fust;” — “The inconvenience of being frequently under the necessity of changing his country, because they did not allow him to be in peace in any place in which he might be.”
(591) Semler understands the term in the same sense — “ Quod non licet diu manere et quiescere quasi uno in loco, sed semper periculorum vitandorum causa locum et solum mutare. Iud’i autem faciunt jam infensi et infesti hostes Pauli, ut vel ex actibus Luc’ satis patet; Paulus ἀκατάστατος, (Jacobi 1:8) dici potest, licet sine animi sui vitio;” — (“As not being allowed to remain long at rest, as it were, in one place, but always changing his place and soil (for the sake of avoiding dangers.) The Jews were enemies to Paul, so exasperated and deadly, as appears even from Luke’s narrative in the Acts, that Paul may be said to have been unstable, (Jas 1:8,) though without any fault on his part.” — “I agree,” says Dr. Bloomfield, “with Theophyl., Schleus., and Leun., that the term refers to that unsettled and wandering kind of life, which, that the Apostle thought very miserable, is plain from his connecting it at 1Co 4:11, with the endurance of hunger, thirst, and nakedness,( Πεινῶμεν καὶ διψῶμεν, καὶ γυμνητεύομεν, καὶ ἀστατοῦμεν) which passage, indeed, is the best comment on the present, and shows that κόποις ( labors) must be chiefly understood of his labors at his trade, and νηστείαις, ( fastings,) of that insufficient support, which labors so interrupted by his ministerial duties, could alone be expected to supply. ᾿Αγρυπνίαις ( watchings) seems to refer to the abridgment of his rest by night, to make up for the time expended by day on his ministerial labors.” — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(5) In stripes . . .The list becomes more specific. Stripes we have seen at Philippi (Act. 16:23), and 2Co. 11:23-24 show that there were other instances. Of imprisonment?, that at Philippi is, so far, the only recorded instance (Act. 16:24); but there may well have been others, as in 2Co. 11:23. Tumults (the same word as in Luk. 21:9) at Antioch in Pisidia (Act. 13:50), Lystra (Act. 14:5-19), Thessalonica (Act. 17:5), Corinth itself (Act. 18:12), and Ephesus (Act. 19:23-41). Labours describe the usual tenor of his life, the daily work of his calling as a tent-maker, as well as that connected with his ministry. Watchings and fastings are, probably, both of them (comp. 2Co. 11:27) to be referred to voluntary actsnights of vigil and self-imposed abstinencerather than to privations incidental to his work.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Stripes See note 2Co 11:24.
Imprisonments As at Philippi; narrated in Acts. Alford says: “He may have been imprisoned in Antioch in Pisidia, Act 13:50; and at Lystra, Act 14:19; and at Corinth, Act 18:12; Act 18:14; and we cannot tell what may have befallen him during his journeys, Act 15:41; Act 16:6; Act 18:23.”
Tumults Excitements and mobs raised against him. Luke’s history in Acts abounds with narratives of such movements wherever Paul went.
Labours The travellings, the toils for self-support, and the arduous preachings and cares for the Churches.
Watchings Sleeplessnesses.
Fastings Not voluntary religious fastings for he is here enumerating severities necessarily suffered but compulsory hungers. The thus far enumerated sufferings Alford holds to be properly embraced under the term patience, or endurance, with which the catalogue commences.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
Ver. 5. In imprisonment ] Chrysostom saith, he had rather be Paul cast into a prison than Paul rapped up into Paradise.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
5. ] On ., see reff.
.] At Philippi only as yet , as far as we know from the narrative of the Acts; but there must have been many other occasions, see ch. 2Co 11:23 . He may have been imprisoned at Antioch in Pisidia, Act 13:50 , and at Lystra, Act 14:19 and at Corinth, Act 18:12 ; Act 18:14 ; and we cannot tell what may have befallen him during his journeys, Act 15:41 ; Act 16:6 ; Act 18:23 .
.] in tumults , see Act 13:50 ; Act 14:5 ; Act 14:19 ; Act 16:22 ; Act 17:5 ; Act 18:12 , and above all, Act 19:23-41 . The sense given by Chrys. (p. 522), al., , is philologically allowable, cf. Demosth. 383. 7, , and Jas 1:8 , and Polyb. xxxi. 13. 6, , but not found in N. T.
] usually, and here, signifies ‘ labour in the Lord ,’ for his sake, see reff. So also , Rom 16:6 ; Rom 16:12 (bis), and reff. Chrys., al., interpret it of his manual work, 1Co 4:12 ; and and occurring there together certainly gives some semblance to the view: but see ch. 2Co 11:23 , where this can hardly be; it is most probable that the weariness of his excessive apostolic labour was in his mind.
] Chrys. says, p. 523, . . But I would rather believe the to have been watchings through anxiety for the churches.
] This is generally, and by De W. against Meyer, taken to refer to involuntary hunger and thirst. But, as the latter remarks, the word does not appear to be ever so used; and in ch. 2Co 11:27 , Paul himself distinguishes from . . The meaning of fastings must therefore be retained. So Chrys., Theodoret, and Calvin.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Co 6:5 . ( b ) These outward hardships are next more definitely exemplified from the opposition and persecution which St. Paul encountered from opponents during his missionary experiences. , , : in stripes (see reff. and cf. Act 22:24 ), in imprisonments (see on 2Co 11:23 ), in tumults ( cf. Act 13:50 ; Act 14:5 ; Act 14:19 ; Act 16:22 ; Act 17:5 ; Act 18:12 ; Act 19:29 ; Act 21:30 ). might mean inward disorder , rather than external tumult (see reff., LXX, and cf. 1Co 4:11 ), but the latter meaning best suits the context here. ( c ) Next the Apostle enumerates the bodily hardships, voluntarily undertaken, which his work made it necessary to endure. , , : in labours, sc. , probably his labours in preaching the Gospel (see reff., but cf. 1Th 2:9 , 2Th 3:8 , where is used of the manual labour he underwent in working for a livelihood; see also 1Co 4:11 ), in watchings, sc. , in nights rendered wakeful by anxiety or press of work (Act 20:31 ) or urgency of prayer (Act 16:25 and cf. Eph 6:18 ), in fastings . Some expositors explain these as the voluntary fastings of religion (so Hooker, Eccl. Pol. , v., lxxii., 8; and cf. Act 13:2-3 ). And it is true that (see reff.) and are always (outside this Epistle) used of fasting as a devotional observance. But in the parallel passage 2Co 11:27 is clearly used of involuntary abstinences from food; and this meaning seems better to suit the context here also ( cf. 1Co 4:11 , Phi 4:12 ) ( 23). The triplet ( c ), then, means “in toil, in sleeplessness, in hunger”.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
tumults. Greek. akatastasia, See Luk 21:9. Compare Act 14:5, Act 14:19; Act 16:2,; 2Co 17:5; 2Co 18:12; 2Co 19:29.
watchings = sleeplessness. Greek. agrupnia. Only here and 2Co 11:27.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
5.] On ., see reff.
.] At Philippi only as yet, as far as we know from the narrative of the Acts;-but there must have been many other occasions, see ch. 2Co 11:23. He may have been imprisoned at Antioch in Pisidia, Act 13:50, and at Lystra, Act 14:19 and at Corinth, Act 18:12; Act 18:14; and we cannot tell what may have befallen him during his journeys, Act 15:41; Act 16:6; Act 18:23.
.] in tumults, see Act 13:50; Act 14:5; Act 14:19; Act 16:22; Act 17:5; Act 18:12, and above all, Act 19:23-41. The sense given by Chrys. (p. 522), al., , is philologically allowable, cf. Demosth. 383. 7, , and Jam 1:8, and Polyb. xxxi. 13. 6, ,-but not found in N. T.
] usually, and here, signifies labour in the Lord, for his sake, see reff. So also , Rom 16:6; Rom 16:12 (bis), and reff. Chrys., al., interpret it of his manual work, 1Co 4:12; and and occurring there together certainly gives some semblance to the view: but see ch. 2Co 11:23, where this can hardly be; it is most probable that the weariness of his excessive apostolic labour was in his mind.
] Chrys. says, p. 523, . . But I would rather believe the to have been watchings through anxiety for the churches.
] This is generally, and by De W. against Meyer, taken to refer to involuntary hunger and thirst. But, as the latter remarks, the word does not appear to be ever so used; and in ch. 2Co 11:27, Paul himself distinguishes from . . The meaning of fastings must therefore be retained. So Chrys., Theodoret, and Calvin.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Co 6:5. , in tumults) either for, or against us.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Co 6:5
2Co 6:5
in stripes,-Paul had already been eight times subjected to ignominy and torture of the lash-five times by the Jews and three times by the heathen. (2Co 11:24-25). [Stripes were of two kinds-from Jewish whips and Roman rods; but of the five scourgings with Jewish whips not one is mentioned in Acts, and only one of the three scourgings with Roman rods. (Act 16:23).]
in imprisonments,-He was frequently in prison, but Luke only tells us of one of these occasions (Act 16:24)-at Philippi; the imprisonment at Cesarea and Rome were subsequent to the time of writing this epistle.
in tumults,-These were normal incidents in Pauls life, both up to this time and for years afterwards. [The word means tossing to and fro, and refers to his being constantly driven from one place to another, so that he had no quiet abode. (1Co 4:11). This occurred at Antioch of Pisidia (Act 13:50); at Iconium (Act 14:5); at Lystra (Act 14:19); at Philippi (Act 16:19); at Thessalonica (Act 17:5); at Berea (Act 17:13); at Corinth (Act 18:12); and at Ephesus (Act 19:29). Before such manifestation of wrath and power the bravest man often quails. What can one do before an infuriated mob? He was calm and adhered to his purpose.]
in labors,-Working with his own hands, and also in strenuous exertions which he was constantly called upon to make, in traveling and preaching and in caring for all the churches. (2Co 11:28).
in watchings,-[Probably not vigils, but suggesting, in a large way, all the night toil which was involved in his ministry of the gospel. (Act 20:31). This may also include watchings lest he should fall into some snare of his enemies. (Act 20:19).]
in fastings;-Abstinence from food to which he chose to submit rather than to omit some duty or fail to take advantage of some opportunity of usefulness. The implication is that these hard experiences were not isolated, but frequent and familiar.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
stripes: 2Co 11:23-25, Deu 25:3, Isa 53:5, Act 16:23
imprisonments: 1Ki 22:27, 2Ch 16:10, Jer 33:1, Jer 37:15, Jer 37:16, Jer 38:6, Mat 14:3, Mat 14:10, Act 5:18, Act 12:4, Act 12:5, Act 16:24, Act 22:24, Act 23:35, Act 24:27, Act 26:10, Act 26:29, Act 28:16, Act 28:17, Act 28:30, Eph 3:1, Phi 1:13, 2Ti 1:8, 2Ti 2:9, Heb 11:36, Heb 13:23, Rev 2:10
in tumults: or, in tossings to and fro, 2Co 1:8-10, Act 14:19, Act 17:5, Act 18:12-17, Act 19:23-34, Act 21:27-35, Act 22:23, Act 23:10
labours: 2Co 11:23, 1Co 15:10, 1Th 2:9, 1Ti 4:10
watchings: 2Co 11:27, Eze 3:17, Mar 13:34-37, Act 20:31, 2Ti 4:5, Heb 13:17
fastings: Mat 9:15, Act 13:3, Act 14:23, 1Co 7:5
Reciprocal: Mat 6:16 – when Mar 2:20 – and Mar 9:29 – fasting Act 13:2 – fasted Act 16:19 – they Act 16:22 – the magistrates 1Co 4:11 – unto 1Co 9:27 – I keep Col 1:29 – labour Jam 5:7 – Be patient Rev 2:3 – hast laboured
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Co 6:5. Stripes means blows or wounds inflicted with a heavy rope or leather thong (Act 16:23 Act 16:33). Imprisonments refers to those unjustly imposed on him, such as that in the passage in Acts just cited. Tumults means “disturbances, disorders,” such as are recorded in Act 14:19 Act 19:29 Act 21:30, which were caused by the presence and teaching of Paul. Labors is from an original that means any intense activities, whether in body or mind, that are caused by the service to Christ. Watchings and fastings pertain to the many seasons of anxiety that Paul was forced to undergo, occasioned by the uncertainties in the activities of the foe.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Co 6:5. in stripes . . . tumultsfrom without, arising from opposition to his ministry;in labours . . . fastingsundergone as a self-denying Christian and minister of Christ;
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 5 Five times Paul received “stripes” from Jewish whips and three times from Roman rods ( 2Co 11:24-25 ). We know he was imprisoned in Act 16:24 , which would be before this writing. Paul was in “tumults”, or “tossed to and fro” so often that we need not mention them all. “Labors” would be working with his hands. On other occasions he watched and labored with the brethren all night. He even missed meals in devotion to his work.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings [Instead of weakening his ministry by making it blameworthy, Paul had striven to make it commendable by the patient endurance of all manner of trials. Had he shrunk from enduring these trials, he would have been ill qualified to prescribe for others those rules of duty which called for self-sacrifice, one of which rules he is about to lay down for the Corinthians. Paul specifies three classes of sufferings which he endured, and each class contained three members. In the first three the idea of hindrance predominates, and in the second that of violent opposition, and in the third that of hardship. For a sample of Paul’s afflictions see 2Co 1:4-11 . For necessities arising from his poverty, etc., see Act 20:34; and compare with incidents in his later life; as, Phi 4:12 and 2Ti 4:13 . The word “distresses,” which forms the climax of the first triplet, means “extreme pressure” and is used to describe one who is jammed in a corner, or so pressed upon by the multitude that he can not move: it is found at 2Co 4:8 . For the “stripes” see 2Co 11:23-28 . The only instance of imprisonment of which Luke tells us is found at Act 16:24 . The imprisonments at Jerusalem, Csarea and Rome took place after this was written. As to the tumults, they were the normal incidents of Paul’s daily life (Act 13:50; Act 14:19; Act 26:22; Act 17:4-5; Act 18:12; Act 19:28; Act 19:29; Act 21:27-39; Act 22:22-23; Act 23:9-10; Act 27:42; etc.). As to Paul’s wasting labors, see 2Co 11:28; 1Co 4:12; 1Co 15:10; Act 20:34; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8; Rom 16:12 . We may well imagine that so many tumults and such incessant labor would result in many sleepless nights or painful watchings (2Co 11:27); but Paul also labored at night (Acts 20:31; 1Th 2:9; etc.). The fastings mentioned were not voluntary, but indicate the unavoidable hunger which came upon him by reason of his incessant ministry. Having rehearsed the sufferings which he endured, the apostle next names six especial gifts or virtues which he manifested while thus enduring];
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in {c} tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
(c) In tossing to and fro, finding no place of rest and quietness.