Paul wants to tell us that he endured many a hard time, living for Jesus, “in the city.”
I wish we knew more. Did he, for example, mean just one City, which would undoubtedly have been Jerusalem? Or did he instead mean “city,” in the generic sense of the word, “not the country?” Rather, many cities?
Either way, a couple of observations about Jesus’ greatest Apostle need to be made.
First, Paul was a “city” man, by his very upbringing, certainly not the rural “outdoorsman” type.
Listen to a one verse biography of the man, hear his pride of origin. “I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, A CITY IN CILICIA, a citizen of NO MEAN CITY: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.” Acts 21:39
Tarsus, Paul’s Hometown.
And he later moved to Jerusalem, to get an education. A first-class education, I might add. Paul continues: “And I was brought up in this city, Jerusalem, at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.” Acts 21:39, continued.
And Paul visited and preached in such great Cities as Damascus, Antioch (in Syria), Ephesus, Corinth, Athens, Thessalonica, Rome, plus others.
And in nearly all these places … Paul suffered hardships of one kind or another!
Oh, let me again show you our text 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.” 2 Corinthians 11:26, with today’s situation capitalized.
Second, God “led” (guided, directed) Paul to and from these Cities, as the need for his Ministry grew and subsided.
As follows: “And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to JERUSALEM, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and GET THEE QUICKLY OUT OF JERUSALEM: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.” Acts 22:17-18, for the sake of Paul’s safety! Leaving a City, under God’s directive!
Now watch the Lord point Paul toward a certain City! “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” Acts 16:6-10
The Holy Spirit would NOT let them go to Asia, not yet, verse 6 above.
Nor could they go to a region called Bithynia, with its cities.
Then, while sleeping one night in ancient Troy (Troas) … “There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.”
Macedonia?
Yes, to the critically important cities of PHILIPPI and THESSALONICA!
Where Paul again “suffered” for the work of our Lord!
Wow!
This “Hardship List,” 2nd Corinthians 22-31 (or so), virtually gives us a biography of Paul, his life and his Ministry!
Indeed, early in his Christian life he was told … “how great things he must suffer for Jesus’ Name!” See Acts 9:16, for proof.
Yet faithful, through one crisis after another, Paul remained. He did not quit, ever!
He, after all this, could still write, just prior to his death … maybe only hours … “The time of my departure (death) is at hand. I HAVE FOUGHT a good fight, I HAVE FINISHED my course, I HAVE KEPT the faith.” 2nd Timothy 4:6-7
Amen!
Thank you, Paul.
And thank You, Lord.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell