2 Corinthians 11:26; In Perils of Robbers, by Mine Own Countrymen

2 Corinthians 11:26 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;

The Apostle Paul recounts in short staccato salvos the occupational hazards of an itinerant evangelist. These center around travel, which has always (until recent history) been a risky undertaking. Like most, Paul would have traveled on foot and been subject to cold, heat, dust, mud, and all the vicissitudes of capricious weather. For accommodation, Paul and his traveling companions (he would not have traveled alone, if at all possible) would have relied on the hospitality of local residents, inns, or sleeping in the open, if need be. Horace (65-8 B.C.) describes a journey that involved all three at various points. Though decent lodging could occasionally be found, inns were notorious for bed bugs, rough characters, and promiscuity. Bandits, too, were a perennial threat (Luke 10:35-35), and every precaution was taken to ensure safe passage.¹

This provides some background to the sufferings of the Apostle Paul so that the church in Corinth will make a sanctified choice to receive him and reject the false apostles especially those who were his own countrymen, own flesh and blood! It is a plea from God’s servant to not spurn the grace and blessing of God. The psalmist warned in Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

The first are ungodly, as to their mind, the second are sinners, who not only think, but carry out the workings of their evil mind. The third scorner glorying in their wickedness and scoffing at righteousness. The first continue in that mind of taking evil counsel, the second carry it out, as the principle of their walk and the third settle down in their evil, as on a seat. The next step of rebellion to stand in the way of sinners. A logical progression in the slippery downward slide to destruction, to “stand” here means to have made a choice, to choose the way of sinners. To stand with someone is to agree with him and to take the side of him, who? The sinner! The way of the world, ruled by the prince of this world, Satan himself. Eve chose to stand with the lie of Satan instead of the truth of God’s Word. That influenced her to pick the forbidden fruit and eat. The third degree sin is “seat in the sit of the scornful”. Recall how Eve listened to the enticement of the Serpent, she becomes chief advocate for Satan, she gave the forbidden fruit that she has eaten for Adam to eat, plunging all humanity into total depravity and utter hopelessness. A study of the word “scorner” used in the Bible tells us that he is one who is proud and haughty, delights in boasting, deriding, mocking, incapable of discipline, reproof or rebuke, cannot find wisdom, is an abomination and should be avoided. Hence the importance of separation from sinful companion, such is the potency and influence of evil companions, separation from the world.

Dear friends, we must be careful to choose our friends, and help our loved ones in the choice of friends, especially for every father and mother our children! Amen.

¹ Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, NewTestament – Romans to Philemon.