2 Corinthians 11:26; In Perils!
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 work of the gospel presents great danger as the Apostle Paul highlights the series of dangers that he faced. We must not be surprised. Our Lord Jesus warns His disciples – Matthew 10:16-20 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Jesus described His disciples as sheep highlighting the vulnerabilities of the sheep in a predator-filled world where the gospel is to be given. The sheep is most dependent upon their shepherd, often helpless, defenceless (don’t hear well or see well, not swift in flight, no weapon for defence) and most foolish of all domesticated animals (it has no sense of direction, prone to stray, it cannot find its way back, needs the Shepherd to bring sheep back). The nature of the sheep is nearest like man than any other animal, Jesus uses the sheep to describe His disciples.