Paul was a man who was dedicated to Jesus Christ, a man of very great faith. He showed this by his perseverance in much suffering. In this lesson we will note the ways in which Paul suffered. That will lead us to look at what ways we might suffer as disciples of Christ.
How Paul Suffered
2Co 11:23 to 12:10
Paul describes his sufferings in a kind of poem (2Co 11:23 to 12:10), to encourage us not to let tribulation destroy our devotion to Christ. It is easy to be discouraged by our natural fear of suffering and our knowledge of our own weaknesses. Paul's example helps us to be strong in theface of tribulations. The following is the list Paul gives of what he endured (2Co 11:23-28).
Much labour
Many imprisonments
Beaten countless times
In danger of death often
Five times received 39 lashes
Three times beaten with rods
Once stoned almost to death
Three times shipwrecked
Spent a night and a day in the sea
On frequent journeys
Dangers from rivers
Dangers from robbers
Dangers from his countrymen
Dangers from Gentiles
Dangers in the city
Dangers in the wilderness
Dangers on the sea
Dangers among false brethren
Labour and hardships
Many sleepless nights
Hunger and thirst
Often without food
In the cold without clothing
Stress of concern for the churches
Later in the reading Paul tells of a "thorn in the flesh" which troubled him much, and how he had come to accept "weaknesses... insults... distresses... persecutions... difficulties... for when I am weak, then I am strong"(2Co 12:7-10).
How We May Suffer
What sort of tribulations might we experience. The list below is by no means complete, but it shows some of the things which people, Christians included, have suffered in various places. You may well know of actual examples of people suffering things like these...
Physical violence
Unjust imprisonment
Life-threatening experiences
Lack of food, drink, sleep
Lack of warmth, clothes
Under threat of harm
House burnt down
Bad car accident
Severe physical illness
Severe mental illness
Loss of job or business
Drug or alchohol abuse in family
Rape, sexual abuse
Loved one murdered
Child abducted or missing
Sudden death of loved one
Going deaf or blind
Being struck by lightning
War and terrorist attacks
This is just a taste of the sort of things one might have to endure. We can find many passages of the Bible that describe tribulation. For example Jesus said, "Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. In various places there will be famine and earthquakes"(Mtt 24:7). These things happen all the time, and Christians are not immune to them or other atrocities and disasters.
Paul tells Christians, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man"(1Co 10:13). The Greek word for "temptation" (pirasmos) is not limited in meaning to temptation to sin through lust (Jas 1:14), but can also mean a trial that tests one's faith (eg Acts 20:19, 1Pe 1:6). The tribulations to which Christians are vulnerable are the same bad things that happen to others. Our trials are "such as is common to man."(1Co 10:13).
Conclusion
We are promised that if we seek first the kingdom of God then the necessities of life will be added to us. However this promise does not mean our lives will be easy and trouble free, for the promise is made in view of the fact that "each day has enough trouble of its own"(Mtt 6:33-34). We should expect two things...
First, we should expect tribulations from time to time and "not be surprised at the fiery ordeal... as though some strange thing were happening"(1Pe 4:12).
Second, we should expect God to care about us and not forsake us, to provide for our needs and help us endure even "through much tribulation."(Acts 14:22).