Les Feldick Bible Study

How many times did Paul receive 39 lashes?

Paul received 39 lashes from the Jews five times, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 11:24. The context explains this was part of the suffering he endured for the sake of the Gospel, despite writing that if God is for us, who can be against us.

Les explains that in 2 Corinthians chapter 11, the apostle Paul describes what he went through for the sake of the Gospel. Dropping into verse 24, Paul says that of the Jews five times he received 39 licks with those catenine tails. Les points out that the same man who wrote, “if God for us, who against us?” still suffered greatly, showing that the verse does not promise believers will escape all hardship.

2 Corinthians 11:24

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

More Questions

How many times was Paul given the 39 stripes by the Jews?

Paul says he received the Jews' thirty-nine stripes five times and was beaten with rods three times, yet the Book of Acts records only one of the thirty-nine-stripe beatings and only one stoning.