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.
