Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am {n} more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in {o} deaths oft.

(n) Paul being honourable indeed, defends his ministry openly, not for his own sake, but because he saw his doctrine come into danger.

(o) In danger of present death.

People's New Testament

11:23 Are they ministers of Christ?. I am more. Not only a minister, but a pre-eminent sufferer for Christ. To show how much he exceeded them, he gives some account of his sufferings.

I speak as a fool. Speaking foolishly, that is, commending himself. See 2Co 11:1.

In labours more abundant. The record of Acts shows how his labors abounded.

In stripes above measure. See 2Co 11:24,25.

In prisons more frequent. Clement, who wrote about the close of the first century, says in his Epistle to the Corinthians that Paul was imprisoned seven times. In Acts only one occurrence is named before the date of this letter, that at Philippi (Ac 16:24). It is evident from this enumeration that Acts is only a part of the history of his labors.

In deaths oft. Often in peril of death. Dean Stanley says that the catalogue of sufferings given in 2Co 11:25-33 shows that Paul's life was then without precedent in the history of the world. The only explanation of such a life, continued now for more than fourteen years, is that given by himself: The love of Christ constraineth us (2Co 5:14).

Wesley's Notes

11:23 I am more so than they. In deaths often - Surrounding me in the most dreadful forms.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

23. I speak as a fool-rather, as Greek, "I speak as if beside myself"; stronger than "as a fool."

I am more-namely, in respect to the credentials and manifestations of my ministry, more faithful and self-denying; and richer in tokens of God's recognition of my ministry. Old authorities read the order thus, "In prisons above measures, in stripes more abundantly" (English Version, less accurately, "more frequent"). Ac 16:23-40 records one case of his imprisonment with stripes. Clement of Rome [First Epistle to the Corinthians] describes him as having suffered bonds seven times.

in death oft-(2Co 4:10; Ac 9:23; 13:50; 14:5, 6, 19; 17:5, 13).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

11:22-33 The apostle gives an account of his labours and sufferings; not out of pride or vain-glory, but to the honour of God, who enabled him to do and suffer so much for the cause of Christ; and shows wherein he excelled the false apostles, who tried to lessen his character and usefulness. It astonishes us to reflect on this account of his dangers, hardships, and sufferings, and to observe his patience, perseverance, diligence, cheerfulness, and usefulness, in the midst of all these trials. See what little reason we have to love the pomp and plenty of this world, when this blessed apostle felt so much hardship in it. Our utmost diligence and services appear unworthy of notice when compared with his, and our difficulties and trials scarcely can be perceived. It may well lead us to inquire whether or not we really are followers of Christ. Here we may study patience, courage, and firm trust in God. Here we may learn to think less of ourselves; and we should ever strictly keep to truth, as in God's presence; and should refer all to his glory, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore.