How We May Suffer
—Through Much Tribulation
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.
1 How Paul Suffered
2Corinthians 11:23 to 12:10
Paul describes his sufferings in a kind of poem (2Corinthians 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 (2Corinthians 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" (2Corinthians 12:7-10).
2 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 alcohol 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" (Matthew 24:7).
These things happen all the time, and Christians are not immune to them or other atrocities and disasters.
Paul tells Christians, "No temptation1 has overtaken you but such as is common to man" (1Corinthians 10:13).
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." (1Corinthians 10:13).
3 What To Expect from God
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" (Matthew 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" (1Peter 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).
1Note:— The Greek word for “temptation”. The word πιρασμος (pirasmos), is not limited in meaning to temptation to sin through lust (James 1:14). It can also mean a trial that tests one’s faith (eg Acts 20:19, 1Peter 1:6).