BUFFET, BUFFETING (κολαφίζω, G3139, to give a blow with the fist) It describes the coarse and cowardly treatment of Jesus by the Jewish religious leaders and guardians of God’s law. He was not subjected simply to insults and mockery but to violent blows with clenched fists (Matt 26:67; Mark 14:65). The same treatment was suffered by Christians (1 Cor 4:11; 1 Pet 2:20), and Paul also uses the term fig. to describe his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7).

The same idea of physical violence is found in the word ὑπωπιάζω, G5724, a term taken from boxing, “to give a black eye.” So Paul describes the self-discipline exercised over his body (1 Cor 9:27) and Jesus illustrates the persistence of prayer (Luke 18:5, KJV “weary”).