2 Corinthians 11:22-33

Qualities of the true apostleship -- 2 Corinthians 11:22-33: None of Paul's critics could boast of any advantage over him in a physical sense. He said, "Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Jews? So am I. Are they from the family of Abraham? Well, so am I." He also said he served the Christ better than they ever did. He had worked harder and had been put in jail more often than they. He had been beaten with whips and had been in danger of death more often than any of these false prophets.

On five different occasions the Jews had given Paul 39 lashes. Deuteronomy 25:3 said that 40 lashes was the maximum. The Jews always stopped one short just to be safe. Paul said, "Three times the Romans beat me with a big stick, and once my enemies stoned me. I have been shipwrecked three times, and I even had to spend a night and a day in the sea. (Acts 14:19; Acts 16:22-23; Acts 27:44) As Paul traveled about preaching the gospel he was "in danger from rivers, robbers, his own people, and foreigners." Paul worked and struggled, spending many sleepless nights, sometimes in hunger and cold in order that the gospel might be preached.

Paul's heart was burdened down daily, as he was concerned about the spiritual condition of the congregations that he had labored with. He sympathized with them and was angry when brethren were tricked into sin. He understood human weakness, but he knew what would happen to the unfaithful. The Christian life had not been easy for Paul. Early in his Christian life, the governor of Damascus had the city gates guarded, so that he could capture Paul. However, he escaped by being let down in a basket through a window in the city wall. He faced such struggles from the start of his service for Christ. But, He never gave up and he never stopped working.