They had no “central heating” back in those days.

And Winters could be pretty severe.

Paul the Apostle tells us in 2nd Corinthians 11:27 that in his Ministry he at times endured the “cold.” Here’s the Text, in part: “In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in COLD and nakedness.”

The word is “psuchos.”

It is built from a verb, “psucho,” meaning “to cool by blowing.” It is only used once in the New Testament, there being translated “wax cold.”

As for our little noun itself, “psuchos,” I have located it 3 different times in Scripture, counting our Verse here today.

Here’s a classic. “And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was COLD: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.” John 18:18, how to handle the “cold.”

And during the Acts 27-28 shipwreck. “And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the COLD.” An ordeal NOT mentioned in Paul’s “hardship” list here. Because it happened later than his second Letter to Corinth, years later, Acts 28:2.

So, we can say for sure, Paul shivered, keenly felt the discomfort, likely for hours at a time, in the cold! Maybe night after night, when in prison! For weeks, months, years?

Paul’s second Letter to Timothy has this line: “The CLOKE (outer coat) that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.” 2nd Timothy 4:13, a cold jail cell!

While others (preachers who were “hirelings”) has no discomforts at all, when compared to Paul anyway. Had they endured this list … they would have “fled” like the imposters they really were!

“Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.” 2nd Corinthians 11:22-23

Paul is using his hardships, his difficulties, as a “badges” of authenticity!

As “proofs” of his determination to serve the Lord Who saved him!

Paul, who firmly believed … “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Wow, 2nd Timothy 3:12

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Wonder if some day us Christians in America might get to “prove” our faithfulness the same way? Through adversity!

I invite you to this Class … anyone within driving distance.

For more information, call or text 770-844-7627.

 

Two days ago, in our Lesson about Paul here on the Website, we learned that the Apostle suffered from time to time “hunger.” Not just between means, of course. But elongated hunger. Yet, when so deprived of food, he continued to serve God.

Now we are being told (by Paul himself at that) that “fastings” were a frequent experience as well! Yes, the word is plural in our King James New Testaments.

What’s the difference?

Maybe this. “Hunger” is the state of being “without food” when such a condition is out of one’s control. No choice involved! Nothing available to eat, for example.

Whereas the numerous “fastings” likely imply voluntarily going without nourishment, most probably for a religious reason.

So Paul was … “in fastings often …” 2nd Corinthians 11:27

The Greek noun used here is spelled “nesteia.” It literally means “not” (indicate by the initial letters “ne,” a prefix) “to eat” (spelled “esthio” in Greek).

One Lexicon defines the verb, “nesteuo,” like this … “to abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days.”

No food at all.

Or no solid food, if prolonged.

Maybe just water or juice.

Or, as with Daniel in chapter 1 of the great Prophecy he left us … not eating certain “luxurious, delicate” foods, just something plain, again like beans and water. (Daniel 1:12 … “Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.” The word “pulse” here means “things sown,” vegetables.)

So Paul too, was a man of many “fasting.”

Our text today, 2nd Corinthians 11:17, words it this way: “In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, IN FASTINGS OFTEN, often, in cold and nakedness.”

“Often,” in Greek “pollakis,” is essentially “many.”

I do not want to imply that “nesteia” is never used for “forced hunger” (or “involuntary” hunger). But that normally it is not so used. And paired with “hunger” (in Greek “limos,” most often meaning “famine”) as it is in our text … the likelihood of it being anything but voluntary decreases, I believe.

But Paul here was “fasting” so often (apparently being that sincerely concerned about any number of spiritual issues) that such seasons of “no eating” had become a significant sacrifice on his behalf. Especially after the “hunger and thirst” episodes of the last two days, as described here on our Bible Study Site.

Why fast, in the Christian sense?

First … because Jesus taught it as a spiritual exercise, discipline. He did not say “if” ye fast, but “when” ye fast! Matthew 16:6 … “Moreover WHEN ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”

Second … because fasting seems to humble our hearts and better prepare us for prayer. In Psalm 69:10 David used these words: “I chastened my soul with fasting.” Wow! Humility, not letting one’s body “rule” his whole life! Sounds like Paul’s “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection.” 1st Corinthians 9:27, part of the verse.

Third … we spend a lot of time eating. Probably more than we realize! Not having so many meals might give us more opportunities in the day, the week, time to be used in spiritual ways. Reading, studying Scripture, prayer or fellowship with the Lord. (Granted, the last of my three “reasons” is probably the least supportable Biblically.)

Indeed … Paul fasted.

Yet never complained in doing so.

Oh, one more passage of advice about fasting, from our Lord again. “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:17-18

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Maybe I should have included today’s “trial” in Paul’s life … right alongside yesterday’s “hard” situation. Even he did that: “in hunger and thirst.” Still part of 2nd Corinthians 11:27. The word “and” is a conjunction, showing “linkage.” Paul does not use “and” many times in his whole litany here.

Nevertheless I have separated these two “discomforts.” So today (in our Lesson) we learn that Paul was tortured by “thirst.” Based on the whole tenor of the list, “often” in thirst. He seems to number the events that occurred less frequently. As back in verse 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.”

Note this too. The numbers were still growing! The Book of Acts meticulously records another time Paul was “stoned,” at Lystra. As well as another shipwreck, on the voyage to Rome as a prisoner.

Paul … “in thirst.”

The Greek word (the noun) is “dipsos,” and is only used this single time in the New Testament. However, it’s verbal form occurs 3 times in Matthew 25:35-42. As here: “For I (Jesus) was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I WAS THIRSTY (“dipsao”) , and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in.”

It means: “to suffer from thirst.”

Paul (and likely his traveling company as well) … all thirsty!

With no access to water, not safe water anyway.

When did this occur?

How?

We do not know.

We are left to advancing “suppositions” at best.

But let this be understood, no doubt exists regarding the accuracy of the report. Paul did thirst, dangerously so it seems. The Bible is divinely inspired, without error.

Perhaps Paul was in a flood somewhere, with raging filthy water everywhere. No clean water to be found! Thirst gnawing in his body.

Maybe again when he was imprisoned (years and years of his life) some jailor or guard refused him decent food (happened often) and water. Dark and damp and hungry … plus the corollary deep thirst.

Maybe Paul’s body was ravaged with infection (malaria raged in many areas where they preached)! Burning with fever! Thus, thirsty! Nearly unquenchable thirst!

It touches my heart that one of the greatest Preachers who ever lived … did not demand luxury … in his day to day affairs.

He was willing to “endure hardship” for Christ’s sake.

Thus practicing his own advice: “Thou therefore ENDURE HARDNESS, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2nd Timothy 2:3

Yes, Paul loved our Lord!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Paul, hungry?

The man who wrote the following words. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Yet this same Paul did relate, autobiographically, that he had been … “in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 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; 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 weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, IN HUNGER ….” 2nd Corinthians 11:23-27, with more to come!

Yes, this last one is astounding!

And the word used for “hunger,” in Greek “limos,” is sparsely utilized in Scripture. Only 12 times (total) can I find it. It means “scarcity of harvest.” In fact, 3 times “limos” is translated “famine” in the King James New Testament.

It flows from a “parent” verb, “leipo,” meaning “to lack.” Or once, “to be destitute.”

Did Paul those 3 years in Arabia … go hungry?

Did he, under Gamaliel’s tutelage, study so hard (involving so much time) that he simply didn’t eat, hungering in that sense?

Was he a man who had just rather feel “hungry” most of the time, than “sated, overfilled, stuffed?”

Or was he willing to go preach in places that were being ravaged by famine, thus himself going hungry too?

We do not know.

We only have the fact that Paul suffered hunger as he pursued the Lord’s work.

Hunger … for Jesus’ Sake.

Here’s a little history of the word …

Jesus 3 times used “limos” as “famine,” in His great Olivet Discourse, warning His Disciples about a coming time of Tribulation on earth. In Matthew and Mark and Luke!

Later the Book of Revelation reinforces Jesus’ Teaching, in chapters 6 (verse 18) and 18 (verse 8). Bible Prophecy fulfilled!

In Luke 4:25 Jesus linked Elijah to a time of famine, putting Paul in good company!

Twice our Lord used the word (“limos” as “famine”) in His great Luke 15 Parable about the “Prodigal Son.” Here, for example: “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty FAMINE in that land; and he began to be in want.” Then again: “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with HUNGER!”

Stephen once mentioned the “dearth” (famine) that engulfed Egypt during the days of Joseph, a famine the Patriarch foresaw and wisely sought to alleviate. See Acts 7:11.

Then Paul … twice uses the word (still “limos”), or it is used (by Luke) in relation to Paul and his vast (for that time) ministry.

A famine was predicted for Judah by a Prophet named Agabus (Acts 11:28), a prophecy that proved to be 100% accurate. “And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great DEARTH (“limos”) throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in JUDEA: which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” Acts 11:28-30

Paul was determined to collect money for food … for the suffering saints in Jerusalem and thereabouts. He may have then been in a time of “hunger,” in solidarity with his brothers and sisters in Christ there.

Then once more, Paul gloriously wrote: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or FAMINE, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:36

Whereupon he immediately answers his own question! “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

Amen.

Whenever Paul was “hungry,” Jesus was by his side.

Still loving him.

Folks, throughout history’s numerous periods of persecution (against Christians) … countless believers like you and me have been starved to death!

Hunger!

I’m so glad Paul has told us this today, about himself. “In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, IN HUNGER ….”

Often … hungry … serving the Lord Christ.

What a great God we serve, a great Saviour!

Drawing such devoted followers!

It’s an honor to be a Christian.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Today’s autobiographical note from Paul is a little ambiguous. He, in 2nd Corinthians 11:27, tells us that he was “in watchings often.”

The Greek text, “en agrupnia pollakis.”

The noun “agrupnia” is a blended word. The first letter, the “a” (alpha in Greek) reverses the meaning of the rest of the word. It means “not.” The teachers sometimes call this an “alpha privative.”

Then “agrupneo” means “to sleep.”

Now we have to put them together … thus, “not to sleep” or just “sleeplessness.”

Wow!

Not every night I am sure, Paul possessing the Peace of God like he did. (As in Philippians 4:7 … “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.“)

But some nights, “many” in fact, no sleep!

“in watchings often”

The adverb “often” is “pollakis,” a derivative of “pollus,” indeed meaning “many.”

Now to discuss “agrupnia. Did Paul have insomnia? Was he so hyperactive that sleep eluded him? Did his body require little rest, a hereditary thing?

I think none of the above suggestions hold the answer to Paul’s “watchings.”

Rather …

He was sleepless because of dangers lurking all around him and his traveling (evangelistic) team.

Based on the context of “peril” after “peril,” what else can be deduced?

Sleepless, taking turns “on guard duty” … because so many enemies meant Paul harm!

Many a death threat against this Giant of God is recorded in the Book of Acts.

And Dr. Luke (the penman of Acts) was not with Paul every mile of every journey. No telling what happened in the “silent” years!

Living under that kind of “pressure,” Paul did for years.

Like the 7 years David fled from Saul!

Or the 40 years Moses was a fugitive in the desert!

Or Jesus’ 3 years of public Ministry, hated by many who wanted the Lord dead!

Paul also suffered.

How did he preach the next day … after a night when sleep was impossible?

Or write the next chapter of Romans?

Or walk the next twenty miles?

“in watchings often”

I admire Paul more and more … as we cover this ” hardship list.”

Yet, as I’ve said a dozen (or more) times now … Paul remained faithful!

He did not quit.

Surely such adversity proves his commitment to Jesus!

Proves that he is a genuine Believer … and Apostle!

And finally … that day when a Roman executioner’s sword chopped Paul’s head from his body … I am sure that man of God reflected … “Thankfully, rest at last!”

Amen to a life well lived.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell