The Sufferings of Paul

As with King David, one could draw hundreds of lessons from the (inspired) writings and life of the apostle Paul. In fact, many of Paul’s instructions1 to us and inspiring words of Scripture are presented in the other chapters of this book, so there’s no need to cover them again here. Instead, let’s look at Paul’s attitude: He “endured all things” and “did all things for the sake of the gospel” (see 1Co 9:12, 23; 2Ti 2:10). Nothing in this world mattered to Paul except the following:

• Preaching and teaching the Word of God to others to ensure their salvation (1Co 9:16, 19–23; 2Ti 2:10);
• Looking after his own salvation (1Co 9:24–27); and
• Glorifying God and Jesus by his words, actions, and deeds (works; 1Co 9:23).

Let’s make a partial list of the things Paul had to suffer and endure for the sake of the Gospel (Act 9:15–16):

• Stoned to within an inch of his life and left for dead (Act 14:19–20),
• Flogged (whipped, lashed) (2Co 11:24),
• Mocked, persecuted, harassed, beaten, and threatened (Act 9:23, 29; 13:50; 14:5, 19; 16:19–24, 37; 17:5–7, 13, 18; 20:19; 21:27–31; 23:12–14; 1Th 2:15; 2Co 4:9; 6:5; 11:23, 25; Gal 5:11; 6:7; 2Ti 3:11),
• In constant danger throughout his journeys (2Co 4:11; 11:26),
• Bitten by a deadly snake (Act 28:3–5),
• Shipwrecked (Act 27; 2Co 11:25),
• Went without food (2Co 6:5; 11:27; Php 4:12),
• Went without sleep (2Co 6:5; 11:27),
• In cold and exposure (without shelter) (2Co 11:27),
• Had a “thorn in the flesh” that tormented him (2Co 12:7–10),
• Suffered sickness or disability, perhaps due to the beatings he endured (Gal 4:13; 1Co 2:3; 2Co 10:10; 12:7–10),
• Sorrow and grief (Rom 9:1–2), and
• Arrested and/or imprisoned (Act 16:19–24; 18:12; 21:27–22:30; 23:33–27:2; 28:13–15; 2Co 6:5; 11:23; 2Ti 1:8–9; 4:6–22).2

And those are only the things we know about which are recorded for us in Scripture; there likely were many other things that he also experienced. Despite “enduring” and “suffering” all the above, Paul still writes, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Php 4:10–13; cf. 1Ti 6:6–10; Heb 13:5; 2Co 2:10). That, brother or sister in Christ, is “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, [and which] will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (see Php 4:6–7)—and it is the direct opposite of anxiety (and worry, doubt, and fear).

Paul further writes:

For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. – 2Co 4:17–18

That he was still able to write these verses shows us the importance of keeping a proper perspective. These verses tell us that from God’s eternal, infinite wisdom perspective, everything we may endure and go through in this world—trials, tribulations, persecution, sickness, humiliation, life imprisonment, and even death itself—He considers to be “light,” will seem to have been over quickly (“momentary”) when we look back from heaven, and pales in comparison to the “eternal glory” we will receive in heaven (Php. 3:8)!

Wayne Jackson writes about how contentment is “learned” (Php 4:11) from the things (trials, tribulations, hardships) that we go through: [1, 418]

He [Paul] had “learned” (contentment is a learned disposition) how to be happy in whatever state he found himself. He had learned how to be contented when he had to do without and when he had plenty. (Is it not strange that one has to “learn” how to reasonably deal with having an abundance [cf. Prov. 30:8–9]?) Paul had learned the “secret” of contentment (vv. 11–12). The term “secret” may suggest that which is not commonly known or the endurance of a difficult process. He confidently affirmed that he could do “all things in him who strengthens me” (v. 13 [RSV]). “All things” are those consistent with Christ’s will. Such depends also upon his “in him” relationship. The power derives from Christ, not from mere inner strength. [Zec. 4:6; John 15:5; Eph. 6:10; Php. 4:13; 2 Cor. 12:10]

This was covered in a prior chapter, but it bears repeating: Understand that you will not get everything you want in this life, nor will all your prayer requests be granted by God. Further, we often confuse wants versus needs.3 Despite that, however, we, too, can “learn to be content” as Paul was.4

So the next time you think you are having a bad day or you are anxious, worried, doubtful, or fearful, just put yourself in Paul’s shoes (Mat 5:41), or Job’s (see the Book of Job), or Abel’s, or Stephen’s, or those of countless others who had to give everything for the Lord. Perhaps you will be grateful instead that God has been so gentle and merciful with you today!5 Then look forward in “faith,” “hope,” and “full assurance” (see Heb 3:14; 6:11–12; 10:22; 11:1; cf. Rom 4:16–21; Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5; Heb 3:6) of the future God has promised for you in heaven and glory, as it is written:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Heb 11:1

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. – 1Pe 1:13

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” – Act 20:24

And lastly, even after suffering all that he had, Paul can still write these words (through the Spirit):

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. – Rom 8:28–30

Paul understood that all the things he endured and suffered were for the collective good of him and other believers (cf. Php 1:12). Those verses, when you really understand by whom they were written (Paul) and how they apply (collectively to all our good), are by far the most powerful verses I have found in Scripture to combat AWDF. No matter what happens to you or other brothers or sisters in Christ, fully know deep down that it is God working for both our individual and collective good (Rom 8:28–39; cf. Php 1:12–14; Mat 10:29–31; 1Pe 3:12; Gen 45:5; 50:20; 2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15; 145:18; Pro 5:21; 15:3), regardless of whether we can see and understand how that will come about or not.

CHAPTER PRAYER

O mighty Father in heaven, thank You so much for all that You have given me and for Your love, mercy, grace, patience, kindness, compassion, gentleness, and forgiveness by the blood of Christ on the cross. Father, give me the same attitude that Paul had when I face difficult times or when things aren’t going the way I had wanted or hoped. Help me seek Your will instead of mine. Help me also to pick up my cross each day as Paul did and continue following You in everything I say and do. Let me draw courage, wisdom, inspiration, and strength both from the words Paul wrote as well as from the example he set for us through his actions. Help me seek first Your kingdom as Paul did, even placing others’ needs and wants (and their eternal salvation) above my own. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

1 Since Paul was an inspired writer, many of these instructions are commandments to us also. → [The Commandments of Christ]

2 The apostle Paul wrote these books while he was imprisoned: Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and 2 Timothy. Yet even while he was locked up, he was still trying to help others and he didn’t “lose heart” (Gal 6:9). Amen.

3 → [Understanding Needs Versus Wants]

4 Notice that I’m writing this sentence to myself also!

5 Each of us responds to things differently; some respond to kindness and gentleness (I find that I do), while others respond to strict discipline, and still yet others respond to a direct testing of their faith by fire. Know that the Lord, as a God of goodness and of love (1Jn 4:8; Mat 7:7–11; Mar 10:18; Luk 11:11; 18:19), will use whatever means is best for you and your eternal good (Joh 10:10; Eph 3:20). In my own case, I surely have “walked through the valley of the shadow of death” (see Psa 23:4) of this fallen world, nearly to the point of insanity and death (see the book Jesus > Addiction), so I have surely had my faith tested. Who knows, maybe I will have it further tested as if by fire in the future—the Lord’s will be done. But by far the greatest danger to our eternal souls that most of us face today is a life of comfort, ease, luxury, and abundance. Make no mistake; they are massive threats to your eternal salvation. It is very easy to fall into laziness, idleness, complacency, contentedness, and even apathy to the point where we “leave our first love [Christ]” (see Rev 2:4–5) or our faith becomes “lukewarm” and the Lord has to “spit us out of His mouth” (see Rev 3:16). May it never be, brother or sister in Christ. Please take this warning seriously!