Earlier in Paul’s “hardships suffered for Jesus” list he mentioned being “beaten with rods.” Now in a follow-up comment he adds that he had also experienced many (other) “perils by the heathen.”
That first comment is quite specific, three times so beaten! Or word for word, “thrice was I beaten with rods.” (Only Gentiles beat their prisoners with “rods.” The Jews used a whip with “lashes.”)
But that second phrase above is much more general. “In perils by the heathen,” with the noun “ethnos” being translated “heathen” 5 times in the New Testament. But 93 times “ethnos” is rendered “Gentiles!” And another 64 times, “nations.” Nations other than Israel, in fact.
It clearly seems that unsaved Jews regularly attacked Paul. But with hardly less frequency and determination than the Gentiles did. (And sometimes the two groups worked together, opposing the Gospel!)
The incident with that little “fortune-telling” girl in Philippi serves as a good Gentile-incited example of persecution … directed at Paul and his coworkers. Read this brief account, please. I’ll capitalize the “gentile” markers. “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us (Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, having now joined Paul and his company), which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 19 And when her masters (the Jews would have never owned soothsayers like her) saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught (laid hold of, forcefully) Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews (unlike us Gentiles, these “Jews,” being a term of derision) , do exceedingly trouble our (Gentile) city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us (Gentiles) to receive, neither to observe, being Romans (proof for sure). 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes (would have only been 39 stripes if the Jews had been in charge) upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor (a Gentile, an employee of the Roman government) to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.” Acts 16:16-24
And Paul remembers that ordeal, that suffering, that pain, that humiliation!
“In perils by the heathen …”
Another such event (recorded in Acts) occurred at Ephesus. This is nearly a riot, folks! And Paul could have been killed! Had not his “friends” withheld him from entering that arena! And these Ephesians are Gentiles. “And the same time there arose no small stir (commotion) about that way (Christianity). 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana (a Gentile goddess), brought no small gain (money) unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation (a labor union), and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul (a Jew) hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught (seized) Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia (fellow Christians along with Paul), Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered (allowed) him not. 31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused (mixed up); and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. 34 But when they knew that he was a Jew (they all being Gentiles), all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” Acts 19:23-34
Paul promptly had to leave town, due to the imminent danger!
“In perils by the heathen, the Gentiles …”
Just two examples, but enough to prove the accuracy of Paul’s memory.
Enough to prove the sincerity and authenticity of Paul’s faith as well!
Many, actually most, “lesser” men would have quit in the face of such difficulty.
But not Paul.
“And let us not be weary in well doing,” he wrote in Galatians 6:9.
He meant it, too!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
“Lord, may we be faithful to Thy cause as well.”