Tag: Devotion

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’s ministry began first with his own countrymen in the synagogue of the Jews. When his own people rejected the gospel, he would preach the gospel to the Gentiles. The new churches founded during his missionary journeys will consist of both Jew and Gentile converts. We recall when he was at Ephesus, there were many conversions, these began to put away idol worship and he came into conflict with the manufacturer of these idols whose business were impacted.

This was the account in Acts 19:23-29 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain mannamed Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

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. 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.

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;

In highlighting the dangers that the disciples will face from the enemies of the gospel, Jesus provided this advice – be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16). The disciples need an applied knowledge of God’s Word, the wisdom of God’s Word. In the Bible, the picture given of the snake or serpent is that it is repulsive, stay clear of it, but here our Lord using the particular shrewdness of the serpent to as Christians to emulate serpents. Those who would do good has need to pray for wisdom, good sense and a sound mind. Indeed, who is sufficient for these things? We need to cry to the only wise God for wisdom. The systematic study of God’s Word, the Book of Proverbs is a good book of wisdom.

The Apostle Paul also says Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without… We are to be wise is our interaction with the unbelieving world, not rendering ourselves vulnerable. That’s the sense of it. Jesus’ servants need shrewdness not to give needless occasion for others to take advantage of them. They require a clear head in dealing with opposition. The word “wise” means prudent. The “dove” is a picture of “innocence” and “purity” with good motive, without malice, not vindictive. The shrewdness of the Christian needs qualification with a “harmless” approach. The word “dove” carries the ideas of unmixed or pure. People who minister cannot do so with deception.

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.

2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, inperils of waters, inperils of robbers, inperils by mine own countrymen, inperils by the heathen, inperils in the city, inperils in the wilderness, inperils in the sea, inperils among false brethren;

From the time the church of Jesus Christ received the Great Commission to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth, the energizing of His servants to the work has been tremendous. The Apostles were willing to suffer for the gospel’s sake! What an example they set for posterity. Here is a chronicle of the Apostle Paul’s journeyings. Indeed, it has been extensive from the first missionary journey in A.D. 47 to his martyrdom in A.D. 68. For twenty-one years, he travelled within this period, when he was not travelling, he was in prison.

A.D. 30 – Death of Jesus

37 – Conversion of Paul (Acts 9)

44 – Death of James, son of Zebedee ( Acts 12)

44-46 – Paul and Barnabas at Antioch (Acts 12: 24, 25)

47-49 – First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)

2 Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

Although Acts records only one shipwreck involving Paul (during his later journey to Rome in Acts 27-28), it mentions a number of other voyages on which such calamities may have occurred. Even these, however, do not comprise all of Paul seafaring journeys. Travelling by ship was especially dangerous in the first century, and countless instances of nautical misfortune are chronicled in the surviving literature and inscriptions.¹

The Apostle Paul’s sufferings extended beyond what was detailedly recorded in Scripture. This was one instance where his suffering was recorded in one brief part of a sentence. However, it behoved us to consider what it means to spend a night and a day in the deep. He survived three shipwrecks and the worse of them, perhaps, he had to face to the harsh reality of the cold sea in the deep.

He was proving a point in his calling and mission that it is truly of God! It cannot be thwarted. In the words of Gamaliel to the enemies of the gospel, against the work of Christ’s apostles – Acts 5:34-39 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

2 Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

How real can the urgency and importance of a work be in a person’s life that causes him to risk his life to accomplish his mission? For the Apostle Paul to suffer shipwreck’s three times for the Gospel’s sake showed us the committment of this man to the work committed to him. Was he behaving in a rash manner putting himself in untold danger? Our Lord was with him in all his journeying for His Name’s sake. Our Lord’s promise to His disciples is that He will be with us alway!

When the Apostle Paul was sailing on his mission to Italy, and the ship encountered a storm, our Lord sent this assurance of His presence, protection and power to preserve His own – Acts 27:22-25 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

2 Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

Stoning is capital punishment in Roman times, also in Jewish law. A man who is stoned is as good as a dead man. His body would have been so broken even he survived the stoning. What enabled the Apostle Paul to suffer it?

He wants us not to look at his sufferings or to look at himself but he wants us to look at the One for whom he is suffering. Why is it in Jesus that is so precious that he would willingly suffer all things to win Christ?

Remember when Jesus fed the five thousand and after He stopped feeding them and the disciples started to leave one by one, the Bible says in John 6:66 “From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him.” And Jesus said to the twelve, “Will ye also go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” The disciples weighed their options and realize that there is no where else to go but remaining with Jesus and walking with Him is the only safe option! Jesus is the only light of the world. Jesus said to his disciples, “ye are the light of the world”.