Friday, July 24, 2026

Scripture

“Are they ministers of Christ?  I am talking like a madman—I am a better one: with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death.” 2 Corinthians 11:23

Reflections

In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul defends his “credentials” as an apostle of Christ.  He recounted his sufferings for the sake of the gospel.  It is easy to read through the list of things he endured (verses 23-28) without really feeling it yourself.  You read it and then your mind goes on to other things.  The sufferings he endured slip from your mind.

But if you really stop and imagine it, it’s intense.  He was imprisoned in prisons nowhere near as comfortable as ours.  He received countless floggings.  When a person is flogged, they are beaten with a whip.  The whip would often have three leather tails with barbs, pieces of bone and hooks.  He received a stoning, literally being pummeled by rocks.  He was shipwrecked, adrift at sea for an entire night and day.  There were times he didn’t even have the basics of food, water and clothing.  The list goes on.

All of this was worth it to Paul.  Christ had died for Paul, one who was once a persecutor of the Church.  Now Paul got to live for Christ.  Paul was called to make this amazing loving Jesus Christ known to others.

Each of us are called to make Christ known.  Gratefully, we live in an environment that is less hostile to Christianity.  If Paul can be bold under adverse circumstances, we can be bold in our lives as well.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for the lives of witnesses like the Apostle Paul.  Help me to be a courageous witness to Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:21b-33