Eight times, in a single verse!

The word is “perils,” in Greek “kindunos.”

It means “dangers.”

And outside this verse today, 2nd Corinthians 11:26, it is only found one other place in all the Bible. And Paul was the penman in that verse as well! Romans 8:35, which asks: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or PERIL, or sword?”

Then Paul answers his own question. “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:36-37, quoting Psalm 44:22, actually the two clauses immediately following the formula “as it is written.”

Paul lived a life of peril, because he loved Jesus and preached the Word of God!

And, even more significantly, Paul believed we would lead such lives too!

In 2nd Timothy 3:12 he boldly asserted: “Yea, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Wow!

Now, to today’s specific verse: “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.” 2nd Corinthians 11:26

Here it is again, with the word “perils” capitalized. “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.”

The noun being emphasized is, again, “kindunos.” And its history, its derivation, its etymology is “uncertain.” Most (Greek) lexicons and dictionaries say.

One textbook says of “kindunos” … “a condition of threatening circumstances.”

Another thinks: “a risk, a hazard, a danger.”

Then a third: “a state of dangerous and threatening circumstances.”

Paul suffered all these things (another Lesson coming tomorrow about the specific “dangers” involved here) for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord!

He had enumerated (catalogued) them in his mind and heart!

He later wrote to the Galatian Christians: “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Galatians 6:17, with “marks” being the Greek noun “stigma,” Read this, copied from a reputable dictionary: “Stigma: a mark pricked in or branded upon the body. To ancient oriental usage, slaves and soldiers bore the name or the stamp of their master or commander branded or pricked (cut) into their bodies to indicate what master or general they belonged to, and there were even some devotee’s who stamped themselves in this way with the token of their gods.”

Amazing!

Sounds like Paul (in one sense) may have nearly “volunteered” for such perils then! He certainly did not “run” from them! He used them as a “badge” of authenticity to his Christian life, his commitment to Jesus.

One more thing today, in each case “kindunos” occurs (all 8 of them) in 2nd Corinthians 11:26 … it is framed in the “dative” case. This nuance of any Greek noun indicates a “to” or “for” set of circumstances. The “robbers” and “Jews” and “Gentiles” involved were deliberately trying to “hurt” Paul The “perils” were directed at him … actually “to” (“toward”)him or “for” him indeed!

What malice!

And Paul stayed in their “danger zones” in order to preach the word of God!

What a “hero” he is!

A perilous life, sacrificed for Jesus ….

This is a quality of Christianity is not often seen in America, not lately.

Jesus, He is Worthy!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

Today’s Scripture verse, just a fragment of a verse really, contains only 3 words. Actually only 2 words in Greek! Yes, exerpted from 2nd Corinthians 11:26, Paul says of himself … “in journeyings often.”

He is listing some of the trials and difficulties he (as an Apostle) has faced over the years, writing this catalog about halfway (some say two-thirds) through his relatively long Ministry.

Paul’s “sufferings” here are his “badge of authenticity” in reality. Some false Preachers in that day bragged about living in luxury and amassing great wealth. Not Paul, never! He will “glory” (brag) about his infirmities! His hardships! His trials!

So … “in journeyings often.”

The noun “journeyings” is “hodoiporia” in Greek. The prefix “hodos” just means “way, road.” And “poreuomai” means “to travel, to walk, to depart.” (To travel up the road!) The word as Paul used it here is only found twice in the whole New Testament. It’s other location? John 4:6, used of Jesus. “Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his JOURNEY, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.” I’ve capitalized the word for easier identification.

Paul’s Saviour (Lord) traveled.

Now, so does His follower!

Do notice please that Paul pluralized the word, “journeyings.”

Lots of trips!

The first, second and third, “missionary journeys,” often so called.

And the long trip to Rome, under arrest, the shipwreck.

And (maybe) a trip to Spain and back, preaching of course.

Total the miles … at least 9,000 by land.

Then add another 7,000 by sea.

Minimally, no less than 15,000 miles, “journeyings” being the right word indeed!

Before automated transportation!

We’re talking “foot” miles, or else “sailing (ocean-going) vessels.”

“In journeyings often.”

The qualifier “often” is “pollakis,” meaning “frequently.” I would simply define it as “many, many times.”

Paul, considering his first century environment … remarkably became a world traveler, obeying Jesus’ Great Commission.

My little ministry probably takes me 35,000 miles a year. But with cars and planes making those trips possible, even enjoyable! I’ve never ridden a donkey to a Revival Meeting!

Oh, how we should admire Paul.

And in so doing ask the Lord to make us also … “faithful” … to the One Who died to save us from our sin!

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Paul, in 2nd Corinthians 11:22-31, shares with us an amazing list of experiences he had endured … in the work of our Lord. Events involving suffering (or pressure of some kind) … for Jesus’ Sake!

Today’s focus centers on a single fact, Paul having written: “a night and a day I have been in the deep.” 2nd Corinthians 11:24

This ordeal must have followed one of Paul’s 3 “shipwrecks,” meantioned one clause earlier in our Text. “Thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep.”

The expression “in the deep” (in Greek “en ho buthos”) means stranded in the depths of the sea. “Buthos” (deep) gives us our word “bath.”

“Have I been” translates the verb “poieo,” meaning “to bear” something.

But Paul so “grasping” something as he floated those hours (maybe a piece of the ship) was in God’s Eyes … “beautiful!” Gracefully “poetic,” a virtual piece of “art,” an act of praise and worship! (Because the Greek verb “poieo” literally supplies us with the words “poem” and “poet” and “poetic!”)

Later in his ministry, Paul again had an opportunity to suffer in this fashion. Yes, another shipwreck! “But the Centurion (Paul’s ‘guard’ on board) willing to save Paul … commanded that they which could SWIM should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: and the rest, some on BOARDS, and some on broken PIECES of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.” Acts 28:43-44

Wow!

Paul endured this … yet never missed a day serving His Lord!

No wonder he could write: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” (1st Corinthians 15:58) Paul indeed lived what he preached!

Not a word of grumbling, either! “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” (Philippians 2:14)

In the water, the ocean.

Likely in the cold.

For a night and a day.

What love for Jesus.

What an example to follow.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

It’s a “night and a day” instead of a “day and a night” because of Paul’s Jewish “mindset.” When God created the world …”the EVENING and the morning” … were the fist day.” And the second day as well. The Jewish people still begin their days at “sunset!”

 

That’s what Paul reported in 2nd Corinthians 11:25.

In beautiful Elizabethan English, King James Version, “thrice I suffered shipwreck.”

The number “thrice” is “tris” in Greek, simply meaning “three.” And “two” is “duo,” no surprises there.

The verb here is “suffered shipwreck” and is spelled “nauageo.” In Greek “naus” is “ship,” derived from “nao,” meaning “to float.” Then the suffix, “ago,” means “to lead, bring, guide.” The only other time it is used in the New Testament it is translated “made shipwreck.” See 1st Timothy 1:19 where Paul tells of some who have forsaken their faith and “made shipwreck” of their lives.

Wow!

But the interesting thing to me is that the three “accidents” to which Paul here refers are NOT mentioned in the Book of Acts. Not a single one of them! The shipwreck that is described there is LATER in Paul’s life than the events enumerated in our Text! Years afterward!

Why shipwrecks, so many anyway?

Unsophisticated navigational aids, back then.

Poor quality of workmanship, at times, regarding shipbuilding itself.

Crew capabilities even had an impact.

And I must add, weather!

Plus … Paul traveled a lot by ship.

Note … Paul is not complaining here, about his “hard” life!

Far from that.

He is “glorying” in the fact he was allowed to suffer for Jesus’ Sake!

And through them all, every broken ship, God delivered His man to preach yet again!

As I write these words this morning (July 7, 2016) I have the car packed and am about to begin a journey myself. To go preach God’s Word in a time of Revival.

I am so glad we have a God Who cares for us!

Oh, to stay faithful to the One Who loved us and gave His Life for us and saved us!

Paul certainly did.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

In 2nd Corinthians 11:25 Paul wrote, “Once I was stoned.” He could have as well written: “Once I have been stoned … so far.” Because his ministry was only 1/2 to 2/3 over as he wrote those words.

The verb “was stoned” is “lithazo,” meaning “pelted with rocks.” Yes, “lithos” is the Greek noun for “stone.” As in the English word “monolith.” And what is a monolith? “A large single upright block of stone, especially one shaped into or serving as a pillar or monument.” The prefix “mono” means “one.”

Almost always “stoning” someone, even until he or she was dead, was a punishment inflicted by the Jews. And even that punishment is advocated by Moses, in the Old Testament.

Here’s an example. “If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city SHALL STONE HIM WITH STONES, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.” Deuteronomy 21:18-21

Severe indeed!

But not many rebellious sons either!

Meanwhile, back to Paul.

When was he stoned?

At a city called Lystra.

Here is Luke’s account of the event. “And there came thither certain (Gospel-hating) Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded (agitated) the people, and, HAVING STONED PAUL, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” Acts 14:19-20

I personally believe Paul indeed died!

That certainly was the intent of the mob that day!

Suffering for Jesus’ Sake, for the cause of the gospel of the grace of God!

Yet, Paul remained faithful.

On toward other cities … to preach the Word!

I wonder that day if Paul thought about the stoning of Stephen? A death in which the future Apostle was complicit. “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And THEY STONED STEPHEN, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he FELL ASLEEP (DIED). And SAUL WAS CONSENTING unto his death.” Acts 7:57 through Acts 8:1

Then I wonder too if Paul remembered the first words he ever heard from a fellow believer after his salvation experience? God commissioned a man named Ananias to got o Paul and said … “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I WILL SHOW HIM HOW GREAT THINGS HE MUST SUFFER FOR MY NAME’S SAKE.” Acts 9:15-16 … was Paul “reaping” what he had “sown,” persecuting the Church so many years?

And I think that perhaps God turned a “tragic situation” (Paul being stoned) into a spiritual victory (maybe a trip to Heaven, to Glory)! As is described in 2nd Corinthians 12:1-5. “It is not expedient for me (Paul) doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and REVELATIONS of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; such an one (Paul, many believe) caught up to THE THRID HEAVEN. And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; how that he was caught up into PARADISE, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory.” Sounds just like the Lord, doesn’t it? (They meant it for evil, God meant it for good!)

And look at Paul’s bravery … in the face of such persecution. After preaching elsewhere (after the stoning) Paul and his company … “taught many, they RETURNED AGAIN to LYSTRA, and to Iconium, and Antioch.” Back again!

Paul apparently felt that areas of great “opportunity” would also be areas of great “opposition!” As in 1st Corinthians 16:9 … “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell