In 2nd Corinthians 11:27 Paul the Apostle tells us that he experienced times of “painfulness,” apparently fairly often, as a result of his serving the Lord.

Here’s the whole verse, short as it may be: “In weariness and PAINFULNESS, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” Wow!

The noun “painfulness” is “mochthos” in Greek. And it is truly rare in the New Testament, only being used 3 times. And even its “parent,” the word from which it derives (“mogis”), is only found 1 time!

“Mochthos” means “hard, difficult labor.” Further; “toil, travail, distress.”

Here’s how Paul used the word when writing the one Church: “For ye remember, brethren, our labour and TRAVAIL (“mochthos”): for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” 1st Thessalonians 2:9

And later Paul combines the same two words again (“labour and travail”) when writing to that group of Believers: “Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and TRAVAIL (“mochthos”) night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you.” 2nd Thessalonians 3:8

Thus, “mochthos” is expressed the three times it’s used in the (King James Version) New Testament as “travail” 2 times and “painfulness” 1 time.

I wonder what kind of “pain” it was, that Paul suffered.

Maybe his back throbbed … after those eight (plus) beatings he received, preaching the Word of God. Maybe his head bled, or his broken bones hurt, after the stonings (yes, more than one) he incurred.

That would be this type of “painfulness!”

But Paul did not consider himself just “hurting” in agony.

He thought of his agony as “birth pangs!”

And “travail” or “labor” … as when a mother is giving birth to a baby, a little child!

His extreme discomfort, his “level 10” hurting, was for a purpose, a reason.

Bringing more children into the family of God!

As in Galatians 4:19. “My little children, of whom I travail (different verb, same idea) in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”

Paul was a genius at looking at his “negatives” (all this suffering, 2nd Corinthians 11:22-31, dozens of events) as “positives.”

Like here: “And he (the Lord Jesus) said unto me (Paul), My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2nd Corinthians 12:9

Most gladly!

My “weaknesses” can trigger God’s “power!”

For Paul, a great trade!

Readers here today, you can’t defeat a man like that!

Praise the Lord.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell