From the topic of service we move to the subject of the sufferings Paul endured in order to render service to men.
Before he continues he again shows his reluctance to speak so of himself.
I. PAUL AGAIN ASKS FOR THEIR SUFFERANCE AS HE SETS OUT HIS LABOURS UNDER GOD
1. Paul continues to show his discomfort with having to glory in his labours. He felt the foolishness of it all.
2. He knew such glorying was contrary to the spirit of the gospel. Verse 17. It was not according to the general spirit of the Saviour’s teachings but necessary in these circumstances.
3. He expected them not to criticise him since they had tolerated much worse. Paul gloried in his labours in order to counteract the lies of his enemies and present the deceiving of the people in Corinth. They had tolerated much worse, 20-21. How much evil and error people will silently and often happily suffer! Matt 23:14, Gal 1:7, Col 2:8, 1 Peter 5:3. They endured the worst form of indignity from wicked men. If a man smite you on the face. Such was the insult heaped on Christ, Luke 22:64 and Paul, Acts 23:2. How the false prophets scorned and despise the people they would have honour them!
II. HOW ANTAGONISTIC THIS WORLD IS TO CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL
Here is a man on a mission of mercy and love bringing the best news that ever fell on the ears of men and see how he is treated.
1. Treated as a criminal. Verses 23-25, 32-33. Imprisoned, beaten and stoned, almost arrested.
2. Those most privileged were most antagonistic. The Jews treated him evilly first before the heathen.
3. Paul was surrounded by danger. In perils, verse 26.
III. WHAT A DEBT WE OWE TO PAUL AND HIS LIKE
He and many others suffered thus in order to bring the gospel to unthankful men.
1. Self-sacrifice is still required if we would advance the gospel. We cannot doing anything for God without self-sacrifice. Luke 9:23, 14:25-33.
2. Even when the physical danger is absent, there is still much to be endured. Verses 25 (shipwreck), 26 (journeys), 27 (weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness). We ought to rejoice that we may do God’s work without fear of stripes and beatings for many cannot even today. This ought to spur us to do all we can in the relative quietness of this age. This is the atmosphere that we should be praying for, 1 Tim 2:1-4.
3. Common duties still require sacrifice and suffering. Verse 28, care of the churches. This is suffering of mind and soul. God’s work requires labour, verse 23.
4. All this Paul knew of before he began his labours. Acts 9:16. The sufferings of Paul were not arbitrary but show the inevitability of such oppositions and difficulties when doing the work of God.