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2 Corinthians 11:22-33
In 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 the Apostle Paul has grown to an almost holy jealousy in his desire to reach the church at Corinth for Christ in his ministry. He pleads with the Corinthians of his pedigree in being a true minister of the gospel sent to them by God Himself. He presents himself to them in whatever background they may proclaim to have: Hebrews, Israelites, the seed of Abraham – Paul claims roots in all of these in his attempt to reach them on common ground (2 Corinthians 11:22). But not only these things does Paul proclaim above the false teachers but of more; more in labors, stripes, prisons, and deaths; he has been beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked and spent a day and a half in the sea (2 Corinthians 11:23-25). He has been disowned by his own countrymen, disowned by the Gentiles; in the city and in the wilderness, and by false preachers (2 Corinthians 11:26). He has been weary and sleepless, he has been hungry, thirsty, fasted, cold and naked. And of all this, what concerns him most is his concern for the salvation of all those in the churches (2 Corinthians 11:27-28). Paul states in 2 Corinthians 11:29 (NKJV), “Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?” This comment is one of caring for those who are deliberately put in harms way by others simply for the purpose of mockery or amusement. Those who practice such a way are not representative of the standards of a Christian – those who are supposed to be striving to be a reflection of Jesus.
This is an example of the sufferings, trials, and tribulations that the Apostle Paul has endured for sharing the message of the gospel.
Jesus declares in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” And He goes on to say in John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”
This world is hostile to God, His Son Jesus our Savior – the Savior of the world, and this world will be hostile to all those who put their trust in Jesus and stand for the gospel. One might say, “That doesn’t sound like much fun.”, but this world is a test of the heart; to have a heart for God or to have a heart for this world. A heart for this world will result in ultimate destruction and condemnation, but a heart for God in this world that only last a little while will result in salvation for eternity in a place called heaven – a place where we will bask always in the glory of the Lord – a place that will have no trials or tribulations – a place where we will receive our reward – a crown of righteousness for our faithfulness to God while we were in this world. Stand up for Jesus today and receive your eternal crown by professing Jesus your Savior!
Dear LORD,
I suppose that not many, if any of us can relate to the amount of sufferings that the Apostle Paul experienced for sharing the message of the gospel, but I suppose that all of us can relate to some to them. Please help us to remember the words of the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 5:8-11 as he declares, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. In Jesus name I pray, amen.