How & Why St Paul Suffered for the Gospel

In Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, he listed many of the horrible things he endured during his ministry. This makes one ask "why?" This web site is a lesson on the life of Saint Paul. We will begin by describing the occasion that inspired him to write 2 Corinthians 10-13, which contains the list of his sufferings. Next, we will examine a few of the individual situations he endured. Finally, we will explore what Paul's suffering means for Christians today.

Why Paul Wrote to the Corinthians

As described in Acts, chapter 18, Paul visited Corinth and established a church there.  Scholars date this event to about 51 A.D.  Later, about 57 or 58 A.D., Paul wrote to that church while living elsewhere, probably Ephesus (Puskas 56-57).  This letter is contained in 2 Corinthians 10:1-13:10.  Paul wrote to Corinth partly out of concern that the community he established was being misled by false apostles who came preaching after his departure.  In 2 Corinthians 10:1-13:10, Paul focuses on defending his authority as a true apostle of Jesus Christ.  He wrote, “For I think that I am not in any way inferior to these ‘superapostles.’ … For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, who masquerade as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Cor 11:5, 13-14). 

Paul Defends his Authority to the Corinthians and Endures Everything for the Gospel

After he asserted that the 'superapostles' were not preaching the truth, Paul tried to reassure the Corinthians that he had true authority. He "boasts" in his weakness by listing the many horrible situations he had to endure:


“But what anyone dares to boast of (I am speaking in foolishness) I also dare. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person.) I am still more, with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death. Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep; on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure. And apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led to sin, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus knows, he who is blessed forever, that I do not lie.” (2 Cor 11:21b-31)

 

From this passage, it is evident that Paul has endured what seems humanly impossible. And perhaps it is. But one wonders, why did Paul have to endure all of this? Why did he continue despite such hardship? Let us explore a few of these situations of suffering and see if we can answer those questions.

What Next?

Next, this web site will describe a few of the situations to which Paul referred in the text quoted above. Then, this site will finish up by trying to explain what Paul's suffering means for us here, today. To continue to the next page and read how Paul survived a stoning, click here.