“Paul’s ministry was characterized by immense and continual suffering.” Explain. Why was he willing to endure such suffering?

Paul’s ministry was characterized by immense suffering because he was never concerned about his own safety or well being, but had a singular purpose to proclaim the gospel to everyone he came in contact with. He did not back down from controversy and always stood for truth and Jesus Christ. The gospel was the singular most important thing to Paul, and he knew it was the singular most important thing for people to hear from him. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 reveals that even in the face of opposition, the Paul stood for Christ and was going to proclaim the gospel truth everyone.

A life lived for the well being of others, and for Christ means that your life will bear the mark of the man of sorrows himself. When you entering into Christ, you enter into his suffering and humiliation on the cross. You die to self, but gain so much more in Christ. Paul exemplified this truth in his own life, and when he and Barnabas preached the good news in Lystra and was stoned for it (Acts 14:19). One of the most telling examples though was when Paul healed the slave girl in Acts 16, was beaten and thrown in prison. He brought about grace and freedom and paid the penalty in his own body. More than though, Paul and Silas responded by worshipping God in jail, which lead to the salvation of the jailer. Like Christ, Paul was willing to give up his life for the salvation of others.

The summary passage for Paul is 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. Here Paul recounts all that he has been through for the sake of the gospel, all the pain, suffering, anguish and difficulty. He did it because he is a servant of Christ, and in his weakness is where the Sprit of Christ shown through his life so clearly. In Paul’s suffering, the light of the gospel was clear to those that met him. Likewise, the call to the Christian is a gospel ministry of suffering for the sake of others so that in our weaknesses Christ would be evident and the gospel proclaimed by all who meet us.