By “waters” (in 2nd Corinthians 11:26, part of Paul’s “I suffered for Jesus” list) Paul does not mean, does not include the Ocean, not the Sea.
But he does remember, clearly, that he was often in “perils of waters.”
So, undoubtedly, he means “rivers,” likely swollen and angry ones, after a storm for example.
Paul would have been familiar with the Jordan River for sure.
And the Tarsus River (also called the Cydnus), near his home town in what’s today southern Turkey.
And the Orontes River, near Damascus.
The Rivers of Cyprus, too. The first island he visited as a traveling Preacher, on his “First Missionary Journey.”
And the often wild, raging Rivers of Asia Minor, in and around Perga, Lystra, and Derbe.
Not counting the Rivers of Greece!
And Italy!
And (maybe) Spain!
In those ancient days “prayer” was often offered by riversides. Luke records in … “And on the sabbath we (Paul being the leader) went out of the city (Philippi) by A RIVER SIDE, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.” (Acts 16:13) Paul likely saw that special river (Lydia was saved that day by those then placid waters) roaring a few times, after a typical Eastern “gulley-washer.”
Yes, Paul traveled for years, preaching God’s Word.
By (and through) many a river.
And often enough … he was there faced by dangerous, perilous circumstances.
Life threatening, probably.
Paul had learned that God very often “blessed” through those hard circumstances of life. He (Paul) had literally learned to “delight” in those especially trying times! (I preached this very truth even last night in Revival Meeting! “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Paul the Apostle, 2nd Corinthians 12:10.)
Our text, or part of one, for today. Once again … “In journeyings often, IN PERILS OF WATERS, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren” … and the list goes on and on! 2nd Corinthians 11:26
I wish we knew the specifics about Paul’s “narrow escapes” around dangerous waters.
But we don’t.
It’s enough just to be aware … he faced all those fearful events … boldly resolved to keep on serving Jesus. Paul who wrote these words, lived by them as well. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Most of 1st Corinthians 15:58, written to the same Corinthians Paul is now addressing.
God “spared” Paul to preach again!
I wonder if the Apostle, encountering those rushing waters (maybe hanging on for dear life) thought of something the Prophet Isaiah had written long ago? Something Isaiah heard God say to His people: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.” Isaiah 43:2, praise the Lord!
God does take care of us, doesn’t He?
— Dr. Mike Bagwell