2 Corinthians 11:25b-29 three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.
In his catalogue of suffering, Paul next turns to the suffering he experienced while traveling. He traveled extensively throughout the northern and eastern Mediterranean region. Although the Pax Romana (“Peace of Rome”) made travel easier and safer to some degree, Paul’s extensive traveling posed many challenges. We read of one major ship wreck in Acts 27 when Paul was a prisoner being taken to Rome for trial. He claims here to three other shipwrecks. Traveling by ship was a quicker way than long overland trips, but with small ships of that day, also dangerous. Surviving from any shipwreck is a miracle, but Paul survived three of them. It is noteworthy that he is likely writing this letter before the shipwreck of Acts 27, so that would make four shipwrecks. One of those shipwrecks he spent a night and day in the open sea, probably holding on to some part of the ship before arriving in land.
Verse 26 recounts his travels by foot which have also be fraught with dangers. Rivers would be a challenge for traveling. One either would have to ford or swim them or find someone with a boat. During spring time, there might be floods from the runoff. Storms could create flash floods. Highway robbery was a danger Paul faced. His life and any of the few possessions he had were threatened by these bandits. Acts records some of the challenges he had with the Jews who rejected him and incited mobs of local Gentiles. Religion did not matter. Everywhere people were against the gospel. The darkness rejects the light everywhere. Paul was widely traveled in cities and countrysides. Even being away from people and out on the open ocean did not provide safety because of storms and poor ships. He face people who claimed to be believers but were insincere, selfish, or purposefully deceitful. He had enemies all around.
Every believer will have his or her own journey to make. God may call us on difficulty journeys, though perhaps not as challenging or dangerous as Paul’s. We will struggle and even fail on these journeys unless we learn to trust in God and rely upon God’s grace through our dependence and faith in Christ. Paul sets us a good example here, although that was not his purpose. He was trying to counter the claims of the opponents who were boasting about their abilities and experiences. Paul boasts also, but in a way that shows his weaknesses and dependency.
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