2 Corinthians is a difficult book to read in many ways. It’s not as tightly organized as most of Paul’s other letters. It’s deeply personal, somewhat emotional. He was “competing” for the Corinthians’ respect after other, so-called, apostles tried to steal their loyalty. He lists his “credentials” in chapter 11. I offer them with little comment other than, “Do you really want to be in full-time ministry?”

• Are they Hebrews? So am I. 
• Are they Israelites? So am I. 
• Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.  
• Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—
  • with far greater labors, 
  • far more imprisonments, 
  • with countless beatings, and often near death.  
  • Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.  
  • Three times I was beaten with rods. 
  • Once I was stoned. 
  • Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;  
  • on frequent journeys, 
  • In danger…
    • from rivers, 
    • from robbers, 
    • from my own people, 
    • from Gentiles, 
    • in the city, 
    • in the wilderness, 
    • at sea, 
    • from false brothers;  
  • in toil and hardship, 
  • through many a sleepless night, 
  • in hunger and thirst, 
  • often without food, 
  • in cold and exposure. (2 Corinthians 11.22 – 27, ESV, bulleted for clarity)

What a list!

In danger from three kinds of people:

• Jews
• Gentiles
• False brothers

I have fought the good fight… (2 Timothy 4.7)