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.”

 

 

Though there is not an anti-Semitic bone in Paul’s body, he here again (always being starkly truthful) tells us that his own people, the Jews, tried to hurt him again and again, “often.”

Bear this in mind, however. These enemies represent only a small portion of the Jews Paul met in his ministry. A “remnant,” he would have said.

And his love for that Nation was astounding. He would have been willing to die and go to “Hell,” had Israel only seen the truth about Jesus and been saved! Read with me the opening verses of Romans chapter nine. “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, ² That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. ³ For I COULD WISH THAT MYSELF WERE ACCURSED FROM CHRIST FOR MY BRETHREN, my kinsmen according to the flesh: ⁴ who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.” Wow!

Still, as Paul relates his career of suffering for Jesus he reminds us that often he experienced “perils by mine own countrymen.” 2nd Corinthians 11:26

Dangers (perils), in another word.

The noun “countrymen” is “genos” in Greek. Those whose “genes” (we would say today) are compatible with Paul’s! His blood relatives.

And Paul should know these Christ-hating Jews. He once walked in harmony with them! “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: ⁵ Circumcised the eighth day, of THE STOCK OF ISRAEL, of  THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN, an HEBREW OF THE HEBREWS; as touching the law, a PHARISEE; ⁶ Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in THE LAW, blameless.” Philippians 3:4-6

But long ago now, Paul (who preached salvation by Grace) and those old Jewish “friends” (who preached salvation by the Law of Moses), parted company.

And they have hated him and tried to do him harm ever since!

“Perils by mine own countrymen.”

In fact, Paul’s arrest that led him (as a prisoner) to Rome and ultimate execution (by Nero) … was engineered by a bunch of Jews who sought Paul’s harm.

I wish Paul had obeyed Acts 22:17-18, the voice of the Lord expressed there. “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 (the Lord Himself) saying unto me, MAKE HASTE AND GET THEE QUICKLY NOUT OF JERUSALEM: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.”

Wow!

Paul loved his people!

They (again, some of them) hated him.

He was indeed a minister unto the Gentiles.

But alas, as we shall see tomorrow … they (many of them) hated him too.

Oh, how he endured hardship for the sake of our Lord!

Paul, a “hero” in the faith!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Paul the Apostle faced “robbers?”

Apparently so, but no such episode is recorded of him in the whole Book of Acts. Neither in any of his Epistles, not specifically so. Just a passing line in Paul’s “list of hardships,” 2nd Corinthians 11:22-31.

Let me show you, with the pertinent words 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.” 2nd Corinthians 11:26

The noun “perils” simply means “dangers.”

And the word “robbers” translates the Greek noun “lestes.” And it is translated “thief” 11 times in the New Testament. It derives from “leizomai,” a verb meaning “to plunder.”

So, somewhere along the trail (or while sailing the seas … “pirates” are plunderers too) … somewhere in those thousands and thousands of miles traveled (preaching the Word of God) … Paul faced “robbers!”

Maybe more than once.

But when?

Where?

Neither Luke (Paul’s biographer) nor Paul himself (autobiographically) has chosen to tell us, to answer those specific questions.

It might have been during the first “Missionary Journey” when Paul and Barnabas left Cyprus and sailed up to Asia Minor. They disembarked at Perga and trekked (walked) right at a hundred miles to Antioch, their first preaching station! Yes, 100 miles … through some of the most dangerous territory in the Roman Empire, particularly “robber” infested, say the historians.

It was at Perga (just prior to entering “robber country”) that young John Mark “quit” the mission, returning “home” to Jerusalem! I’ve often wondered if the ruggedness of the area (and the dangers involved) played a part in his erroneous decision.

“IN PERILS OF ROBBERS”

Actually New Testament culture was rife with thievery. Jesus even told a parable about such men. “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among THEIVES, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” Luke 10:30 the “Good Samaritan” Story!

And our Lord’s teaching on money, investment: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where THIEVES break through and STEAL: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where THEIVES do not break through nor STEAL.” Matthew 6:19-20, everyone understood the prevalence of “stealing,” of thieves!

Even Judas, one of the Twelve Disciples, was a “thief.” See John 12:6 for proof.

Yes, robbery was everywhere.

Not much better today, I might add!

But, did Paul’s encounters with “robbers” phase him?

Stop him?

Deter him?

Make him “turn back,” as did others?

Quit preaching and serving the Lord?

NO!

Indirectly proving his Apostleship, His authenticity as a man of God … Paul pressed onward!

Far from discouraging Paul, these calamities seemed to further motivate him!

To this point: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (hardships), that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Wow, 2nd Corinthians 12:9.

This too, 2nd Corinthians 12:10, the following verse: “Therefore I TAKE PLEASURE in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Amazing!

“Bring on the robbers! In the poverty they force on  my life … I will discover the riches of Christ Jesus my Saviour.” So reasoned Paul!

With a attitude like that, a spirit so invincible … a man will remain FAITHFUL to his charge … all his days! And Paul was that man, one of them.

Robbers, just a “bump” in the road … certainly not a “detour!”

May we be determined Christians too!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

By “waters”  (in 2nd Corinthians 11:26, part of Paul’s “I suffered for Jesus” list) Paul does not mean, does not include the Ocean, not the Sea.

But he does remember, clearly, that he was often in “perils of waters.”

So, undoubtedly, he means “rivers,” likely swollen and angry ones, after a storm for example.

Paul would have been familiar with the Jordan River for sure.

And the Tarsus River (also called the Cydnus), near his home town in what’s today southern Turkey.

And the Orontes River, near Damascus.

The Rivers of Cyprus, too. The first island he visited as a traveling Preacher, on his “First Missionary Journey.”

And the often wild, raging Rivers of Asia Minor, in and around Perga, Lystra, and Derbe.

Not counting the Rivers of Greece!

And Italy!

And (maybe) Spain!

In those ancient days “prayer” was often offered by riversides. Luke records in … “And on the sabbath we (Paul being the leader) went out of the city (Philippi) by A RIVER SIDE, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.” (Acts 16:13) Paul likely saw that special river (Lydia was saved that day by those then placid waters) roaring a few times, after a typical Eastern “gulley-washer.”

Yes, Paul traveled for years, preaching God’s Word.

By (and through) many a river.

And often enough … he was there faced by dangerous, perilous circumstances.

Life threatening, probably.

Paul had learned that God very often “blessed” through those hard circumstances of life. He (Paul) had literally learned to “delight” in those especially trying times! (I preached this very truth even last night in Revival Meeting! “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Paul the Apostle, 2nd Corinthians 12:10.)

Our text, or part of one, for today. Once again … “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” … and the list goes on and on! 2nd Corinthians 11:26

I wish we knew the specifics about Paul’s “narrow escapes” around dangerous waters.

But we don’t.

It’s enough just to be aware … he faced all those fearful events … boldly resolved to keep on serving Jesus. Paul who wrote these words, lived by them as well. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Most of 1st Corinthians 15:58, written to the same Corinthians Paul is now addressing.

God “spared” Paul to preach again!

I wonder if the Apostle, encountering those rushing waters (maybe hanging on for dear life) thought of something the Prophet Isaiah had written long ago? Something Isaiah heard God say to His people: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.” Isaiah 43:2, praise the Lord!

God does take care of us, doesn’t He?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

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