Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

After Paul had been in Antioch for a year, he went with Barnabas to deliver a relief offering to the believers in Jerusalem. This task helped greatly to build trust with the Jerusalem disciples, who had once been wary of the Pharisee-turned-preacher. Then Barnabas and Paul returned to Antioch.

One day the Holy Spirit spoke to the church leaders at Antioch and said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). (Remember, Saul was also called Paul.) The group fasted and prayed, and after laying hands on the two men, they sent them on their first missionary assignment to Cyprus and Galatia.

Over the next 10-plus years, Paul went on three long missionary journeys with various ministry partners and fellow believers. He may also have traveled to Spain on a separate trip. Now, if you enjoy traveling, you may envy the idea of such a life. But Scripture assures us that Paul’s life was not one of luxury or leisure. This missionary walked an average of 20 miles a day to preach a message hated by almost everyone. In many cities, Paul’s preaching so infuriated the Jews that they began to riot.

Paul often lacked the funds necessary for his basic needs and had to spend time working as a tentmaker (see Acts 18:1–3). The greater hardship, though, was the intense, relentless persecution. Paul made a list of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:24–28:

-He was whipped with 39 lashes five times.

-He was beaten three times.

-He was stoned one time.

-He was shipwrecked three times.

-He was arrested three times.

-He was imprisoned twice.

-He was frequently in danger from both Jews and Gentiles. -He was often hungry, thirsty, cold, and tired.

-He was anxious for all the churches.

If Paul had a job description, it would be something like this: “afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger” (2 Corinthians 6:4–5).

Behind much of Paul’s suffering was demonic attack. Because of his God-given mission to bring the gospel to the nations and set captives free from Satan and sin, Paul was at the top of the enemy’s hit list. In Acts 19:15, an evil spirit spoke to some Jewish exorcists and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” Demons obviously knew who Jesus was and were also aware that Paul was now His most devoted foot soldier, marching from nation to nation, advancing the Kingdom of God. Paul accepted that part of his mission was to endure suffering as a “good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). In the same letter to Timothy, Paul says, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (3:12).

Why did Paul choose to endure such calamity? Theologian and Bible scholar Paul Barnett explains it well: "For Paul, his relationship with Christ and his work for him were inseparable. He regarded all that he did as ‘the work of the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 15:58) that the risen Christ was doing ‘through’ his servant, Paul (Romans 15:18) ... In short, to understand Paul’s achievements, we need to appreciate his driving passion, which was that Christ loved him and seized him. He could never be separated from his love (Romans 8:35, 39), sinner though he was and persecutor though he had been.”

Today’s Reflection

What comforts of this world have you given up to serve Jesus?