2 Corinthians 11:25

Beaten with rods. A Roman form of punishment. To rule with “a rod of iron” denoted extreme severity (Rev. 2:27). The rods were the slender staves, the official insignia, of Roman lictors, or magistrates. The only recorded instance of such a beating occurred at Philippi (Acts 16:22, 23). At Jerusalem he claimed exemption on the basis of being a Roman citizen (Acts 22:24, 25).

The suffering and persecution enumerated in 2 Cor. 11:23-27 occurred between the incidents recorded in Acts 9 and those in Acts 19. The worst was yet to come. This recital gives some idea of what Paul meant by sharing with Christ “the fellowship of his sufferings” (Phil. 3:10). And how much of Paul’s dangerous living for Christ is hidden from view!

Stoned. The stoning at Lystra is recorded in Acts 14:19, 20.

Shipwreck. Five sea voyages are recorded in Acts, but nothing is said of shipwreck prior to that of Acts 27. The shipwreck en route to Rome came long after the writing of this epistle (Acts 27:41-44).

In the deep. That is, at sea.