The word is “litany,” a noun. It is defined as “a repetitive recital, a series, a list.”

And Paul is here in our Text (2 Corinthians 11:24-31) writing such a thing. About all he has suffered for Jesus’ sake, through the first half (some say two-thirds) of his ministry, anyway.

And today Paul remembers that he had been: “beaten with rods,” three times in fact. The King James Text words it: “Thrice was I beaten with rods.”

Paul begins the list with some enumerations! Let me show you. Watch the numbers he uses. “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep.” He has counted them all!

To be “beaten with rods” translates a Greek verb, “rabdizo,” found only twice in the Bible (as a verb). It means “to hit with long, stiff sticks.” Yes, “rabdos” (found 12 times as a noun) means: “staff, scepter, stick, branch (tree limb).”

The verb is written in the passive voice, of course. A strong Roman soldier delivered the whipping. A man trained in how to most intensely inflict pain.

Yes, if the Jews “whipped” Paul (which they had done 5 times already, yesterday’s lesson) they would have used a “scourge,” not a staff. They also would have limited the punishment to 39 lashes.

But not the Romans!

History indicates that many men died from these Roman beatings!

Three times Paul had so suffered, endured.

And only one of these incidents is recorded in the Book of Acts. The beating at Philippi, Paul and Silas being the prisoners. (None of the “forty stripes save one” whippings is recorded in Acts!)

The verb “rabdizo” is specifically used in Acts 16:22. “And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded TO BEAT them.”

The next verse: “And when they had laid MANY (not limited to forty) stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely.” You know the rest of the story, the earthquake and conversion of the jailor!

Oh, the price Paul paid to serve Jesus!

Scars on his back, for life.

No doubt pain when his body was cold (“bring my coat”).

Aching ribs and muscles (broken and torn during the beatings).

Yes, Paul joyfully keeps serving our Lord!

What an example.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell